7. 7. Welsh Conservatives Debate: The Programme for Government

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:25 pm on 28 September 2016.

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Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 5:25, 28 September 2016

Of course, in the last term of Government, we set out a target of 10,000 affordable homes. We achieved over 9,000 in the first four years—actually, the statistics for last year are being released in a couple of weeks’ time. I’m confident they’ll show we’ve exceeded the target. [Interruption.] No, I want to finish my point for David Melding. This is very important, because this is an ambitious target—to deliver 20,000 affordable homes—and you will hold us to account for that, I know. It includes social and intermediate housing, as well as helping to support people into home ownership through Help to Buy—Wales, so important for the young people who are also using Help to Buy.

Also, this Welsh Government, unlike the UK Government, where it no longer exists, is investing £68.1 million for new affordable homes via the social housing grant programme. You recognise that this is crucial in terms of providing accessible social housing. Also—and this is the important point—we are building. Local authorities are now, for the first time since the 1980s, building new homes as a result of our successful exit from the housing revenue account subsidy. Surely—I know David Melding will recognise that.

But let’s move on to those other commitments. We want a Wales that is healthy and active, so we will recruit and train more GPs, nurses and other health professionals. That was warmly welcomed when the Cabinet Secretary made his announcement about that, and it was warmly welcomed when, yesterday, he made his statement about the new treatment fund. This is about a Government that has listened, is working with you, and then making statements on how it is going to deliver this programme for government.