Mark Drakeford: Well, Llywydd, I'm not going to respond to a suggestion that I've never seen, when there's not a single piece of paper in front of me to explain what the leader of the opposition thinks he will be putting in front of the Senedd. Of course, when he makes his mind up and puts something down, then I'll look at it carefully and my group will decide what it is that they wish to do. But, the idea...
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, I've explained time after time, and I don't intend to take up the time of the Senedd this afternoon in repeating simply what I said on 19 October last year, 30 November, 25 January, 23 May—these are all occasions on which I have answered this question from the Member. You may not like the answer—I don't expect that you will do—but the answer doesn't change by simply going on...
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, first of all, I thank the leader of the opposition for what he said. We know that he himself has had experience of just how difficult an illness COVID can be, and he's right to draw attention to the fact that thousands of people continue to fall ill from COVID every week here in Wales. That has an impact in those individuals' lives, and it has an impact on our ability to sustain...
Mark Drakeford: Well, Llywydd, I thank Vikki Howells for drawing attention particularly to the transitional accommodation capital programme. It is an innovation here in Wales, it has £65 million now provided to it, and I am very impressed and encouraged by the way in which progressive local authorities and progressive housing associations have grasped the opportunity that the programme provides. That is...
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, I certainly agree with Heledd Fychan that the Unnos project has a part to play, an important part to play, in allowing us to accelerate the building of long-term affordable homes for people in every part of Wales. That ambition will not help the person who has contacted the Member in their immediate difficulties, which is why it is right that we go on together investing in those...
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, the cost-of-living crisis, and crises elsewhere in the world, generate pressures on the housing system. On average, over 1,400 people present to homelessness services every month in need of temporary accommodation. Over 6,000 people who have fled the war in Ukraine alone have been accommodated in Wales since March this year.
Mark Drakeford: Well, Llywydd, I agree with Ken Skates that HyNet represents a major opportunity for the economy of north-east Wales, working with our partners in the north-west of England. Earlier in the autumn, I was able to discuss the development of HyNet with the metro mayor of Liverpool, Steve Rotheram. In an ecumenical sense of answering this question, I shall recognise the investment of the UK...
Mark Drakeford: I thank Joel James for that supplementary question, Llywydd, and I welcome him as a recruit to those of us who've always believed that it is the role of Government to step in where the market fails. So, it's good to know that that idea is alive on the Conservative benches. I agree with what the Member said about the potential for green hydrogen and the importance of this being a partnership...
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, I thank the Member for that question. Right across Wales, from north to south and west to east, the Welsh Government works with others to advance practical plans for the use of hydrogen in the decarbonisation of transport in Wales.
Mark Drakeford: Storm overflow discharges take place when the drainage system is under strain, typically during peak flows, to protect properties from flooding. A growing population, land development, increase in impermeable surfaces and more intense rainfall have increased pressure on pressures on our drainage infrastructure.
Mark Drakeford: A vibrant horticulture sector is high on the Welsh Government's agenda for developing a sustainable agricultural industry as it delivers a range of environmental, social, and economic benefits. Through the Agriculture (Wales) Bill we can continue to support farmers to create and sustain a thriving Horticultural sector.
Mark Drakeford: I expect the UK Government’s 17 November statement to have a detrimental impact on public services in Blaenau Gwent and across Wales. While we will face difficult choices, we will do everything we can to protect people from the financial hardship that is coming our way.
Mark Drakeford: With the retreat of banks from our high streets we recognise the importance post offices now play in providing access to cash in all communities. We are also working with Monmouthshire Building Society to establish a Community Bank.
Mark Drakeford: With so many banks disappearing from our high streets, we are working with Monmouthshire Building Society to establish a community bank. We also recognise the huge importance of post offices and credit unions in providing access to financial services in our communities.
Mark Drakeford: The Minister for Education and the Welsh Language set out a range of measures to tackle the impact of poverty on educational attainment in his statement to the Chamber on 22 March. The Minister has committed to bringing forward a statement updating Members on progress before the end of term.
Mark Drakeford: I thank Joel James for that question. As it happens, because I make no claims to be an expert in this field, I was discussing that very issue with the chief digital officer for Wales very recently. I think it's an important question because it exposes an issue that in some ways has only come to the fore in public debate very recently. From the discussion I had, my understanding is there are...
Mark Drakeford: Digital technologies can materially assist the necessary effort to decarbonise Wales. However, deployment can, of itself, create a carbon footprint. Sustainable digital decarbonisation is therefore the ambition of the digital strategy for Wales.
Mark Drakeford: I'm sure that Members across the Chamber will want to mark World Stroke Day, and to recognise the very significant advances that there have been in recent times in treatments available for stroke patients and the way in which the NHS has been able to respond to that. I'm not familiar enough with the specifics of the Member's question to give him a direct answer on those points this afternoon,...
Mark Drakeford: Hywel Dda University Health Board is responsible for the provision of safe, sustainable, high-quality healthcare services for its local population, based on the most up-to-date clinical evidence and advice.
Mark Drakeford: I thank Jane Dodds; those are all very important points. She's absolutely right—it isn't just the individual, it's the family of the individual that gets caught up in a cancer diagnosis. And the physical impact of a cancer diagnosis is only one of the difficulties that families face. There is fantastic work done by third sector organisations in Wales, simply on trying to make sure that...
