Mark Drakeford: Well, I have absolutely nothing to apologise for, Llywydd. The Conservative Party in Wales has a great deal to apologise for in the way that it has time after time after time sought to deny people in Wales and businesses in Wales the protections that are needed from a global pandemic. We put in measures that were designed to make sure that lives were saved in Wales and that businesses could...
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, the impact on Welsh businesses was caused by coronavirus. That is the point that I was making, as I'm quite sure the leader of the opposition knows. Businesses in Wales were seeing the impact of the omicron variant well before there was any change in the alert level measures in Wales. That's why the £120 million that we have made available to Welsh businesses doesn't start on 27...
Mark Drakeford: Well, diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. Those are all important points. This Government opposes the UK Government's importation of techniques from the United States to suppress voting amongst populations who it thinks who may not be supportive of their political party. We opposed the restrictions on judicial review, which I see the UK Government has revived again, and we oppose the measures that they...
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, I did welcome the outcome of the IGR. I was there in 2018 when it was initiated by Theresa May and the First Ministers of the time, and the Welsh Government and Welsh civil servants in particular have invested many, many hours in trying to make sure that we make that document as good as it can be. There are some accountability measures within it. It does lead to governments across...
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, I'm afraid I don't think I can offer such a reassurance. The UK Government, it seems to me, is trapped in the headlights of the events that it has brought upon itself by its utter disregard for the rules that the rest of us are bound by. And in an attempt now to escape from the dilemmas that it itself has created, everything it does is seen through that lens. Every statement that is...
Mark Drakeford: I thank Ken Skates, Llywydd, for that question. We welcome the final agreement of the inter-governmental review in the fourth calendar year of that process. We now need a UK Government capable of discharging its responsibilities rather than one paralysed by the unfolding crises of a deeply dysfunctional Downing Street.
Mark Drakeford: I think one of the ways in which the funding that we provide to local authorities has been developed in recent years is that we now provide a core allocation to local authorities, as well as the project money that they can bid in for. And because there has been such a sustained rise in investment in active travel, the provision of a core allocation does help local authorities to build up the...
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, I'd like to thank Huw Irranca-Davies for those questions.
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, I thank Joel James for identifying an important issue, but an issue very well known to the Welsh Government. Shared use of space on the highway, on the pavement, is a matter that has been raised and discussed in our own engagement with groups representing disabled people, including those with issues of vision. The actual implementation that the Member refers to, of course, is carried...
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, in our assessment, the positive gains of the active travel action plan far outweigh any negative repercussions. It's a requirement of the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 that it be reviewed by the end of 2022. That review will identify any implementation issues that need to be addressed.
Mark Drakeford: We do everything possible to support highly skilled, well-paid jobs across Wales through progressive economic policies that focus on better jobs, better skills and tackling inequality. The draft regional economic framework highlights the actions needed to bring highly skilled jobs to south-east Wales.
Mark Drakeford: Qualifications Wales has announced the decision to hold examinations in 2022 and the January exam series is currently running. Adaptations have been made to assessment content so learners are not disadvantaged. We are also providing £24 million of additional support, focused on learners in exam years.
Mark Drakeford: We continue to support new and existing businesses in Pembrokeshire through Business Wales services and the regional team. We have provided extensive support through the pandemic and post Brexit trading world. We are committed to delivering a greener, more equal and prosperous economy for all parts of Wales, including Preseli.
Mark Drakeford: First of all, I do have to say that, back in September, the Member was asking me questions suggesting that the ambulance service in Hywel Dda was to be reduced. He was wrong then and he is wrong now. Indeed, on that issue, there will be more rather than fewer ambulance staff working in the Hywel Dda area. Of course I recognise what Paul Davies said in terms of those people living in his...
Mark Drakeford: I thank Paul Davies for that question. Alongside all its other services, the health board has delivered a successful booster vaccination programme during a very challenging Christmas and new year period. It continues to provide the most clinically urgent activities, in the face of escalating staff and patient illness caused by the omicron wave of coronavirus.
Mark Drakeford: I heard Llyr Huws Gruffydd's comments on the situation with Chester Football Club, and I agree with what he said. It is important that we find a pragmatic solution that is clear on the law in Wales—and the law is the same for all clubs in Wales—but also recognising the fact that there are important issues for Chester Football Club and trying to help them with those issues too. In terms...
Mark Drakeford: A series of discussions have taken place, primarily involving Chester Football Club and the enforcement authorities of Flintshire County Council and North Wales Police. A constructive dialogue is focused on ensuring that the law is upheld here in Wales, and that the interests of the club are safeguarded.
Mark Drakeford: Jenny Rathbone makes a series of really important points there. I fully understand the anxiety that young people feel faced with examinations and feeling that the experience they've had doesn't prepare them in the way that they would have wanted. But when we relied entirely on centre-determined grades last year—I know Jenny Rathbone will know what happened—we saw the gap between grades...
Mark Drakeford: I thank Jenny Rathbone. Llywydd, Qualifications Wales has decided to hold examinations in 2022, consistent with the approach taken in other parts of the UK, and adaptations have been made to assessment content so that learners are not disadvantaged. On 16 December, the education Minister announced £24 million in additional support, focused on learners in examination years.
Mark Drakeford: Llywydd, I absolutely agree with what the Member has said. I was very struck, myself, back in April of last year, by the way that the young person's guarantee had communicated itself, not simply to young people, but to the parents and grandparents of those young people who were anxious about their future and looking to the Government to put in place the foundations of success for those young...
