Mark Drakeford: The main issue regarding traffic in Port Talbot is the potential closure of junction 41. We are currently carrying out further analysis before deciding on the best way forward.
Mark Drakeford: The basic payment scheme is administered across Wales. Currently 99 per cent of eligible farm businesses in Wales have had a payment. The 2016 online single application form has been a resounding success, with almost 100 per cent of BPS applications received using Rural Payments Wales Online.
Mark Drakeford: Over the next few weeks and months, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government will be meeting local government leaders and other stakeholders and listening to their views before considering the long-term approach to local government reform. A statement on our intentions will be made in due course.
Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Government continues to work with the health board and other partners to improve access to and the quality and safety of services in Pembrokeshire and across Wales. This is backed by over £0.5 billion of extra investment in NHS Wales during 2015-16.
Mark Drakeford: The effect of Visit Wales expenditure on the Welsh economy is assessed in a number of ways, including additional spend by tourists attributable to Visit Wales marketing, expenditure by overnight visitors to Wales measured in the Great Britain tourism survey and the international passenger survey; and the Welsh Government’s priority sector statistics, which assesses the performance of all...
Mark Drakeford: Excellent progress is being made by local authorities. The provisional recycling rate reached 59 per cent across Wales for the year to December 2015. We are number one in the UK, fourth in Europe—a testament to the hard work of local councils and residents across Wales.
Mark Drakeford: I met the Secretary of State for Wales on Monday.
Mark Drakeford: The benefits of the European Union extend to all areas of Wales. Since 2007 alone, EU projects in Merthyr Tydfil have helped over 4,300 people into work, over 11,800 to gain qualifications and over 4,500 into further learning. EU funds have also created 290 enterprises and 920 gross jobs.
Mark Drakeford: I expect Hywel Dda Local Health Board to provide services to the people of Pembrokeshire that are safe, sustainable and as local as possible, which result in the best possible outcomes for patients.
Mark Drakeford: We set out a number of priorities in our manifesto that will contribute to a healthier Wales, including ongoing action to reduce smoking rates in Wales to 16 per cent by 2020, the reintroduction of a public health Bill, and a number of measures to support a more active Wales.
Mark Drakeford: The Welsh Government has no plans for such a referendum at a cost of some £5 million. The UK Government has also made its views known.
Mark Drakeford: Carwyn Jones.
