Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:22 pm on 4 October 2016.
In terms of today of all days—for the Tories to talk about u-turns when the budget surplus is suddenly no longer necessary for austerity. But there we are. I digress.
Right. I want to welcome strongly today’s statement from the Cabinet Secretary and the positive co-constructive approach with stakeholders pan Wales today, which outlines new ways of working, further clarity and further surety for local government, its workforce, its representatives and the public. So, would the Cabinet Secretary agree, though, that it is imperative, as Wales continues to be hit and buffeted by the dual impacts—increasingly likely—of Welsh block grant cuts from the increasingly heartless Tory Government and, in addition to the 10 per cent of swingeing cuts to Wales, coupled with and alongside the ending of European structural funding and the hollow promises and, yes, lies from the parties opposite, to reference the still missing, promised and guaranteed money for Wales?