Rebecca Evans: Robust appraisal, management and assurance are the core governance principles of the projects funded by the Welsh Government. This includes assessment and management of the risks posed to the project, which is underpinned by an independent review mechanism of the projects performance at key stages in its life-cycle.
Rebecca Evans: I'm really grateful to Caroline for highlighting the fact that, even though we've been dealing with a pandemic, which has been all-consuming in so many ways, actually, that huge issue of climate change hasn't gone away, and, absolutely, we must be continuing to address it. So, our mind is very much focused, as we continue to address the acute end of the pandemic, also on looking ahead to the...
Rebecca Evans: Yes, I'm very happy to be extremely transparent in terms of the data on consequentials that we receive from the UK Government. So, very recently I wrote to the Finance Committee giving the latest detail of the consequentials that Welsh Government has received, and in relation to what UK Government spend. Although I will make the point that, of course, the Welsh Government isn't an...
Rebecca Evans: I thank Joyce Watson for this question and for her ongoing and evident concern for small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly, I have to say, in the more rural parts of Wales. And Joyce is absolutely right to point to the fact that businesses in Wales have access to the most generous package of support anywhere in the United Kingdom. So, the Office for National Statistics have recently...
Rebecca Evans: Since the outbreak of the pandemic, there have been seven meetings of the finance Ministers' quadrilateral, where we have discussed a range of issues, including the fiscal response to the crisis, the UK Government's autumn budget and the forthcoming comprehensive spending review.
Rebecca Evans: Throughout the crisis, I have had regular discussions with the Chief Secretary about additional funding to help public services respond to the crisis, including support for local government.
Rebecca Evans: I have regular discussions with the Minister for Housing & Local Government, other cabinet colleagues, and local government Leaders about funding for local government services
Rebecca Evans: The purpose of land transaction tax is to raise revenue to fund Welsh public services. In line with our tax policy principles, the aim is to do this as fairly, clearly and simply as possible, to deliver Welsh Government policy objectives and to create a more equal Wales.
Rebecca Evans: Throughout the crisis I have had regular discussions with the Minister for Health and Social Services about the fiscal challenges facing the NHS as a result of the pandemic. In total, we have provided additional funding amounting to more than £1.3bn to help the NHS respond to coronavirus.
Rebecca Evans: The National Procurement Service is a vital component of Welsh public sector procurement. Its pipeline of 32 national agreements, co-designed with stakeholders, will continue to support delivery of our wellbeing goals and also feeds into a wider pipeline, developed by local government partners, that encompasses regional and local procurement plans.
Rebecca Evans: No fines are recorded as being paid by the Welsh Government in the last 18 months.
Rebecca Evans: I thank Jack Sargeant for raising that and the potentially really exciting news in terms of the future of aviation, and I completely agree with him that Wales has to play its part in any future. He's right that this does require the UK Government to work with Welsh Government in terms of providing support to these strategically important sectors—the aerospace, steel and automotive...
Rebecca Evans: Well, with respect, Llywydd, this is the business statement, and neither Neil McEvoy nor myself are scientists. So, I would respectfully suggest that he writes to the Minister on that particular issue, although I do understand that the Petitions Committee is also taking an interest and, in due course, there will be the opportunity for the Minister to respond to a committee report on this.
Rebecca Evans: Thank you to Lynne Neagle for raising both of those important issues, and I know that she has been a strong voice, really, in terms of ensuring that supermarkets play their important role in terms of helping to keep people safe. I can provide reassurance that, during the regular meetings that the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs has with the food industry and the...
Rebecca Evans: I thank Llyr for those questions, and, of course, the hydropower non-domestic rates grant scheme does sit in the portfolio of the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, but I know that she will be able to hear your comments on that this afternoon. In terms of the A55 red route, the intention as I understand it is to continue and review the community and stakeholder engagement...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you, Nick Ramsay, for that, and I absolutely will discuss with the health Minister what more we can be doing to promote that day, but also to promote the message that it's absolutely fine to talk to people. It's okay not to be okay, as Jack Sargeant was telling us in the Chamber just last week. I know all colleagues will have received communication from Mind Cymru, setting out their new...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you. So, on the first of those points, I would just refer you to the comments that the First Minister made during First Minister's questions to the leader of Plaid Cymru in terms of needing to spend time this afternoon talking to our partners in local government and in the police, and others, in order to determine the way forward. But, obviously, the First Minister is keen to keep...
Rebecca Evans: I thank Leanne Wood for raising this issue. I do think we have to be realistic as to the extent to which we can stretch the Welsh Government's budget, but, that said, we are currently in discussions with HM Treasury and other parts of the UK Government in relation to the announcements that the UK Government has made in terms of some kind of income support for those individuals who are unable...
Rebecca Evans: I'd like to reassure Darren Millar that there's absolutely no intention to single out any nation and the response related to occupied territories anywhere in the world. However, I do understand that there are some significant concerns about this, so we are taking some further legal advice before any further action is taken on that procurement advice note, and I know that the First Minister...
Rebecca Evans: Diolch, Llywydd. There are three changes to today's agenda. Later this afternoon, the Minister for Health and Social Services will make an oral statement—update on coronavirus. The debate on the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 8) (Caerphilly) Regulations 2020 has been postponed until next week. And finally, the motion to agree the Health...
