Mark Drakeford: Well, can I thank Vikki Howells for what is a very timely question. Llywydd, the road safety framework for Wales dates back as far as 2013, and, although there was a midway review of it in 2018, now is the time when we need to bring forward a new road safety strategy, one that will align with 'Llwybr Newydd' and the national transport delivery plan. And because the roads review is about...
Mark Drakeford: Well, Llywydd, there are some basic things that the Member needs to take into account, particularly when he refers to the needs of future generations. The crisis of our time is a crisis of climate change, and it is those future generations, if we do not act now, which will be left with the consequences of our refusal to face up to that challenge. The roads review is the first root-and-branch...
Mark Drakeford: Well, Llywydd, I recall the context at the time when the then First Minister said that we would be continuing with the third crossing across the Menai strait, because I was Minister for finance at that time, and the context was that of Wylfa B. And I remember everything that we discussed at that time with the company responsible for the Wylfa B project—whether it was possible to draw...
Mark Drakeford: I thank Rhun ap Iorwerth. The Government’s response was set out by the Deputy Minister for Climate Change in a statement to the Senedd on 14 February.
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, transgender people who are going through the process to change their legal sex deserve our respect, support and understanding. That is what the Conservative Secretary of State for Scotland said on the floor of the House of Commons when introducing the Government's proposal to block the gender recognition Act in Scotland. I think the Member could do very well to take what the...
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, I thank the Member for that question. The commitment to seek devolved powers related to gender recognition, and to support our trans communities, was included in our programme for government and is part of the co-operation agreement. The LGBTQ+ action plan has included this commitment since its first draft. These are policies made in Wales, not in Scotland.
Mark Drakeford: We will continue to work closely with our partners in the local authorities and Cardiff capital region to ensure a sustainable future for the south Wales Valleys, despite the challenges faced by the reduction in funding from the UK Government via the shared prosperity and levelling-up funds.
Mark Drakeford: Our transport policy, 'Llwybr Newydd', sets out our ambitious plans to ensure that everyone in Wales can travel more sustainably, helping reduce the impacts of climate change. The Burns delivery board’s annual report demonstrates progress towards achieving this, but UK Government investment in vital infrastructure is needed for this to continue.
Mark Drakeford: We continue to provide significant and sustained funding to support the provision of mental health services within the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board area. The NHS delivery unit supports the board to improve services and to provide assurance that necessary progress is being made.
Mark Drakeford: Investment, legislative drivers and support, coupled with a robust regulatory framework will drive river water quality improvement. Last week’s phosphate summit brought together all those with a part to play in reducing river pollution.
Mark Drakeford: Well, Llywydd, of course I acknowledge the difficult context that Heledd Fychan has set out and, unfortunately, that will only get worse over the next month. At the beginning of April, the cost of energy will increase and there will be freezes in the area of income tax, which will have an impact on household income across Wales, and many people will face increased mortgage costs too. So, the...
Mark Drakeford: I thank Heledd Fychan. Llywydd, we are working with our partners, including local authorities, the third sector and those with lived experience to support vulnerable households. Direct help with the cost of the school day, universal free school meals in primary schools and measures to tackle holiday hunger are amongst the practical steps being taken across Wales.
Mark Drakeford: Well, Llywydd, the Minister responsible for these matters is aware of the points raised by the Member, because she had an opportunity to visit the railway back in the summer. The substantive point is this: we can't press ahead and agree to developments where phosphate hasn't been taken into account in the plan in a way that doesn't increase the problems that we already have. The impact of...
Mark Drakeford: I thank the Member for the question. There are three rivers that are special areas of conservation within the Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituency. The Glaslyn and Gwyrfai are meeting the phosphate standard, whilst the River Dee is failing. I will chair a second phosphate summit tomorrow, in order to accelerate the actions necessary to improve the water quality in our rivers that are special areas...
Mark Drakeford: I thank Russell George for that, Llywydd, and I know that he’s been a consistent advocate of the Caersws scheme. I saw that he had raised it with the Minister on the floor of the Senedd back on 15 February, and he’s right to say that the scheme is to go ahead, following the roads review, for some of the reasons, including the safety reasons, that the Member has set out this afternoon....
Mark Drakeford: I thank the Member for that question, Llywydd. That assessment is set out in 'Llwybr Newydd', the Welsh transport strategy. It confirms the importance of road connectivity for sustainable social and economic purposes, assessed against the varying needs of different parts of Wales.
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, first of all, just to remind colleagues that Wales was the only part of the United Kingdom to see an improvement in all three PISA dimensions when those figures were last published. I know that Conservative Members think it's their job to run Wales down, but, actually, the PISA results were at the opposite end of that spectrum. If I was the Member, I wouldn't have necessarily...
Mark Drakeford: I thank the Member for that question, Llywydd. Democratically elected local authorities are primarily responsible for ensuring the quality of school education in their localities. The Welsh Government supports those efforts through, for example, the implementation of the new Curriculum for Wales.
Mark Drakeford: I think there are two or three points to make. First of all, the investment in the college in Blaenau Gwent would not have been possible had it not already been for the investment that the Welsh Government had put into that development and, indeed, the European Union investment that has gone into it. The UK Government are the third and final partner to make a contribution, and their...
Mark Drakeford: Well, Llywydd, I thank Alun Davies for that. I've heard him on a series of occasions on the floor of the Senedd make the case that the new Heads of the Valleys road must be more than a bypass, as I've heard him say; it needs to be something that generates prosperity across its length. He's right to say that I've been lucky enough to be able to take an interest in the development throughout...
