I sometimes think I’m in a surreal reality. Let nobody be in any doubt, then, that this autumn statement is yet more proof, if it were needed, that the UK Tory Government treats Wales as an afterthought, with virtually nothing to say on the significant challenges facing our country.

The additional much lauded £436 million for Wales, which we’ve heard a lot about, for the next five years, is indeed welcome, but it is simply a consequence of the Barnett formula rather than any real show of intent or support for Wales. In fact, it’s worth pointing out that infrastructural investment as a percentage of GDP has continued to go down under this Chancellor.

Businesses and communities in Wales needed certainty from the Chancellor. [Interruption.] If I just continue for a bit longer. Certainty on the future of infrastructural projects like the Swansea tidal lagoon, action on electrification and articulated commitment to support vital investment in the south Wales metro. Instead, we have simply echoes and sounds of silence from the Chancellor on these important projects. And it is noteworthy and relevant that the Chancellor made no mention of the English national health service at all, even though we have had repeated lectures from those opposite about the purported merits of the English versus the Welsh national health service over the last couple of years.

In contrast to this silence, Welsh Labour Government is investing a further £240 million in 2017-18 to meet growing costs and rising demands in health and social care in Wales. When the people of Wales needed real action, all we have got from the UK Tory Government is repeated reannouncements and silence. In fact, very little in the autumn statement will actually improve life for people in Wales, certainly not those suffering from personal independence payment, disability and in-work benefit cuts, high debt and stagnant wages. Certainly, paragraph 2 of the Conservative motion notes that the UK Government will raise the national living wage to £7.50 to support jobs and earnings across the UK, but the national living wage for 2017 is lower than projected just eight months ago, although I have to just warn Members to be very careful with the Office for Budget Responsibility’s revision against revision against revision of the targets that they cling to.