Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for his statement and the opportunity to contribute to this debate? For my relatively brief contribution I want to highlight a very important principle that’s contained and underpinned in this budget and the key elements of that which help to make the Welsh Government spending effective, and that is something that the First Minister alluded to earlier on, and that’s the principle of early intervention. So, whether it’s early intervention in the Supporting People programme or in the investment to shift our health services to community settings, in preventing adverse childhood experiences, or preventing violence against women, I’m sure the Cabinet Secretary will agree that the more we invest our budget in early intervention and support, then we will see better outcomes for people.

We also save money by reducing the number and frequency of costly life crises as a result. This approach, underpinned by this important principle, is embedded in our policies in Wales and, in my view, it stands in stark contrast to the actions of the Tory Government in Westminster. It is in contrast to so many elements of the welfare reform programme, which we know is putting huge pressures on individuals and families. It is in contrast to the huge cuts to council budgets in England and the associated loss of vital support services there. Those cuts are, of course, counterproductive and more costly to the public purse as we all have to deal with the consequences.

We should be proud that, in Wales, in spite of the cuts of around £1.5 billion to our budgets, we choose to stand by vulnerable people in their time of need. And as we begin the process of scrutinising this two-year budget deal, let’s clearly recognise that the politics of austerity, as Mike Hedges alluded to earlier on, continue to create a tough climate for our public services. So, can I ask the Cabinet Secretary if he agrees with me that, like Wales, the rest of the UK needs a change of direction and some fresh hope? Because this path of continuing austerity is unpicking the very social fabric that holds our communities together. I have little doubt that the architects of this despair, the party represented on the benches opposite, will continue to roll out their criticisms of Welsh Government, demanding more spending and better services, but offering no solutions of their own. This will ring hollow until such time as they help us to turn the tide of austerity around and demand of their Government that Wales is properly funded.

Again, can I also ask the Cabinet Secretary whether he agrees that, in the light of the continuing threat to the very fabric of our communities, it is the principles that underpin much of this draft budget are good for Wales?[Interruption.] I’m just about to finish. So, in finishing, Llywydd, can I congratulate the Cabinet Secretary for concluding an agreement with Plaid Cymru that enables us to meet the priorities of the Welsh Labour manifesto and that continues to take Wales in the right direction, despite all the inherent injustices that Tory austerity has foisted upon us?