Nick Ramsay: I chose my words carefully, actually. I didn't say 'union of equals'; I said that our membership of the United Kingdom has been beneficial. I feel that this speech has been more of an intervention on everyone else, to be honest. [Laughter.] I don't dismiss your point, Llyr; I am, of course, talking about the current situation and, currently, that is estimated to be our deficit, and it is...
Nick Ramsay: I think I understand. Your point being that in the case that there was a reduction in money coming here from the UK Government, then would that mean that the Welsh Government would be able to increase it?
Nick Ramsay: Yes, I wouldn't be averse to a no-detriment principle there, so you can infer that, but I think that that would have to be very carefully considered, and I think that, over the medium term at least, if that was done, there should be mechanisms within the Welsh Government so that tax rates are seen to be competitive. I know that we've often had these discussions, Mike, about volatile taxes...
Nick Ramsay: I will in a moment, I'll just finish this. —the next—I was going to say Assembly election, but I suppose Senedd election is more appropriate, isn't it—the next Senedd election in 2021, and to come clean with the electorate in advance of that election if the intention is to significantly raise income tax after it. Mike Hedges.
Nick Ramsay: Well, I would say, if I'd got a bit further along, he might have heard a bit more, but there you are. No, I'm saying that the fiscal framework is to be welcomed, and I'm sure that you welcomed the fiscal framework—I think you did anyway, and I think your party did. [Interruption.] Go for it.
Nick Ramsay: If you're actually saying that you don't want more money to come to Wales and you want us to suffer from the poverty that we've got, I don't think you really mean to say that. [Interruption.] I'm not going to let you in again. I don't know whether you're trying to get up again. Look, I welcome the fact that the fiscal framework means there is an uplift in the money that we receive and I...
Nick Ramsay: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'm pleased to move this motion today in the name of Darren Millar. The fiscal framework agreement between the Welsh and UK Governments was a groundbreaking agreement that really moved the funding situation in Wales on. It was welcomed by all sides and I think it's to the credit of both Governments involved in that that we ended up with that agreement. As a result of...
Nick Ramsay: You know that I'm pretty sympathetic—. Thanks for taking the intervention. You know I'm pretty sympathetic to the name 'Senedd' and I think it's actually a very appropriate name for this Parliament. On the issue of the poll that you just referred to, perhaps on that day the majority of the people who responded did say that they would rather a monolingual name in Welsh rather than English,...
Nick Ramsay: Will the Minister provide an update on the development of the new Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran?
Nick Ramsay: Will you take an intervention, as you mentioned the work of the Public Accounts Committee? And thank you for doing that. As you know, this was a departure for the Public Accounts Committee; it's not the sort of area that we normally look at. But I think, from what I've gathered from speaking to some of the young people who were involved in our inquiry, it's important that the old silos are...
Nick Ramsay: Two issues, if I may, Trefnydd. First of all—well, the first issue, actually, that I was going to raise with you has already been very eloquently raised by Mike Hedges, with regard to the free swimming initiative and the changes made to that. And I hear what you say about a small minority—I think 6 per cent, you said, was the uptake of that. So, nothing's perfect, and I know that the...
Nick Ramsay: I'm pleased to contribute to this debate. I must say that I do have some concerns about this motion. That said, I think that Jenny Rathbone has made some very good points. I think that we recognise that there are some good ideas behind these proposals. And, yes, of course, we all want to see public transport strengthened and active travel routes adopted. All of that we agree with. And there's...
Nick Ramsay: I think you can guess what I'm going to ask you about, Minister, before I utter the words. John Griffiths and I have done a fair amount of work over the last couple of years with the Love Zimbabwe charity, based in Abergavenny. The charity has, as the Minister will be aware, done a great deal to build relations between Abergavenny—and Wales, indeed—and Zimbabwe. Can I thank the Minister...
Nick Ramsay: I underestimated the amount with my 41 per cent, so I'm sure 45 per cent is more accurate. But leaving aside the reasons, some of which you detailed in terms of how the European funding works, that is still only 45 per cent at this juncture and I know that it's not just me with concerns about this; I know that members of the farming community have also expressed concerns. With Brexit well...
Nick Ramsay: Thank you, Minister. I'm pleased to hear that you don't intend to send any of that money back. I've asked you the question today because you have, in your time, worn hats as both rural affairs Minister and also obviously now finance Minister. As you'll be aware, and as you've just said, the rural development funding programme has been providing support across a wide range of areas for a long...
Nick Ramsay: Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, can you update us on the funding being made available for the rural affairs portfolio for the rural development programme?
Nick Ramsay: I asked for that, didn't I? [Laughter.]
Nick Ramsay: Thank you, Minister, for that question. I'm sure that you'll agree that the economy is underpinned by a strong transport infrastructure. Day after day, the economy of Chepstow in my constituency is suffering from immense traffic congestion. This gateway town to Wales needs urgent assistance, as it's an important part not just of the Welsh road network, but also the UK network as well. I've...
Nick Ramsay: 3. Will the First Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's policies for supporting the economy in south-east Wales? OAQ54719
Nick Ramsay: I'm sure you'll enjoy working with the next Conservative Government as well in Westminster. [Interruption.] Touché Turtle. Thank you for your answer, and I think we all welcome the declaration of a climate emergency. But it strikes me—. I welcome the 95 per cent target as well, which you've set, but it strikes me that it's only really going to achieve its aim if it's mainstreamed across...
