4. 3. Statement: The Draft Budget 2017-18

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:13 pm on 18 October 2016.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mark Reckless Mark Reckless UKIP 3:13, 18 October 2016

I thank the Cabinet Secretary for his statement and advance notice thereof, although I think I must have missed his phone call. [Laughter.] I have, though, got the copy of the budget during the First Minister's statement—[Interruption.] Oh well, never mind, never mind. I've been doing my best to at least scan-read the budget since my question at First Minister's questions, while, of course, listening at the same time, and there certainly are aspects of this budget that we would welcome, particularly the increase in health spending. I think it's about 4 per cent for health, well-being and sport as a whole, and 5.4 per cent for what the Government calls ‘core NHS services’. Could the Cabinet Secretary give a bit more clarity about this extra £240 million and then the extra £44 million I think he referred to on account of Plaid, and in particular the £20 million ring fence of mental health—welcome, albeit only one twelfth of the increase—and the £15 million in capital for diagnostics? Are both or either of those included within the £44 million?

I'd like to give a particular welcome to the extra £7 million for medical training. The £1 million end-of-life care addition is obviously welcome, but, I'm afraid, is a drop in the ocean in that area—