Mark Drakeford: Our economic priorities for west Wales include: creating the right support environment and infrastructure for businesses to flourish, including improvements in the transport network, particularly along the A40; working closely with Swansea bay city region to support the delivery of their internet coast bid and supporting businesses through business finance schemes.
Mark Drakeford: Our key programme for tackling fuel poverty is the Welsh Government Warm Homes programme, which includes the Nest and Arbed schemes. Since 2011, we have invested over £217 million to improve the energy efficiency of over 39,000 homes of households on low incomes or living in deprived areas of Wales.
Mark Drakeford: This Government is committed to making a difference for everyone. Three of my Ministers represent constituencies in north Wales, and we continue to invest in regional projects including £163 million at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, over £200 million in north Wales road improvements, and £22 million for education facilities in Connah’s Quay and Holywell.
Mark Drakeford: As we approach the end of the first year of the scheme, nearly 50,000 private landlords have registered. Another 11,000 or so have already started the registration process. The first year has been light touch, focusing on awareness raising. From next week, the focus will be on compliance.
Mark Drakeford: This year has been an outstanding one for Welsh sport. The Welsh Government remains committed to building on successes achieved in community and elite sport. Our investment in sport, via Sport Wales, aims at making Wales prominent on the world stage, helping inspire people to become more active and achieve excellence.
Mark Drakeford: The current curriculum requires financial education for all learners. Estyn is reviewing provision in schools and will publish recommendations in the spring on how financial education can improve. In Financial Capability Week, I should highlight our partnership with the Money Advice Service, which supports money management teaching in schools.
Mark Drakeford: Our economic priorities for Pembrokeshire include creating the right support environment and infrastructure for businesses to flourish, including improvements in the transport network, particularly along the A40.
Mark Drakeford: Job creation, closing the education attainment gap and improving skill levels are our key priorities and represent the most effective levers at our disposal to tackle poverty in Wales.
Mark Drakeford: Our constitution must give the Assembly and the Welsh Government the powers we need to deliver for the people that elected us. Where matters are reserved, robust inter-governmental arrangements are essential to underpin a strong United Kingdom that works for all its constituent parts.
Mark Drakeford: In 2011 the people of Wales voted conclusively in favour of full legislative powers for the National Assembly. The restrictions in the draft Wales Bill were not consistent with that decision. It remains to be seen whether the final Bill will change that assessment.
Mark Drakeford: As an arm’s-length subsidiary of the Welsh Government, individual investment decisions are a matter for Finance Wales. However, since its inception in 2001 to the end of 2015-16, Finance Wales has invested £383 million in Welsh businesses, leveraged in an additional £585 million from the private sector, and supported 41,500 jobs.
Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Government has made a commitment to deliver a minimum of 100,000 high quality, all age apprenticeships.
Mark Drakeford: I will be making an oral statement about the plenary meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee later this afternoon.
Mark Drakeford: Our new strategic equality plan will build on our progress in tackling inequality and achieving greater fairness through the delivery of eight outcome-focused equality objectives. These cross-governmental objectives were developed following extensive engagement and consultation with people with protected characteristics and other stakeholders across Wales.
Mark Drakeford: The latest discussions took place at the plenary meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee on Monday 24 October. I will be making a fuller statement on that meeting later this afternoon.
Mark Drakeford: In 2015, we published an initial scoping report into reopening this line. Subsequently, we funded a further appraisal of the regional transport needs, which is currently being finalised. I am pleased that we have included further development funding in the draft budget.
Mark Drakeford: Well, Mike, I am in favour of us using the powers that we may get through the Wales Bill to be as radical as we can in allowing as many of our fellow citizens the maximum opportunity to exercise their democratic franchise. If that is one of the ways in which that could be taken forward, I’d be very keen to look at it. The third element of the Government amendment, Dirprwy Lywydd, recognises...
Mark Drakeford: [Continues.]—of the points—. Yes, of course.
Mark Drakeford: Well, Dirprwy Lywydd, I am keen to learn from all local authorities in Wales, of all political persuasions. I enjoyed my visit to Monmouth. I’m grateful for an invitation to return there, which I intend to take up over the coming months, and I’m sure that there’ll be an opportunity to discuss those views with the leader there. The Government amendment is intended to clarify our position...
Mark Drakeford: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. May I begin by thanking Sian Gwenllian for opening the debate and bringing it before the Assembly this afternoon? I said on 4 October that I was looking forward to a detailed set of discussions on the future of local government at the end of this calendar year. Those discussions will include local authorities individually and jointly, as well as their...
