3. What action will the Welsh Government take to enhance environmental protection in the next 12 months? OAQ51368

A very topical question, if I may say. Through the Environment (Wales) Act 2016, the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the creation of Natural Resources Wales, we already have, of course, some of the most advanced environmental legislation and integrated enforcement arrangements in the world.

Thank you for that reply, First Minister. No less than eight wildlife and countryside charities in Wales have criticised cuts in the environment funding set out in the draft budget. WWF Cymru said that there is an apparent gap between your pledges on the environment and the reality of what's happening on the ground, while others have questioned whether the Welsh Government has provided sufficient resources to deliver legislation such as the environment and well-being of future generations Acts. What message does the First Minister think this cut in funding sends about his Government's commitment to protecting the environment in Wales?

If you look at the local authority environment and sustainable development single revenue grant, a total of £61.79 million has been allocated to the local authorities for 2017-18. That is something that is hugely important, on top of, of course, the spending that will come from Government.

But, again, I say to him and his party, he is in no position to lecture us about money when, yet again, we have a budget that deprives Wales of money, that gives us a mere £200 million over four years to spend, where we end up in a position where we are 7 per cent worse off in real terms [Interruption.]—I know it hurts, but you've got to listen—7 per cent worse off in real terms since 2010, where, when Northern Ireland got £1.67 billion, they made no representations at all for Wales, and where Wales is so insignificant in their thinking, that the leader—and I feel sorry for him now—of the opposition is banned from sitting in the UK Cabinet, even as his Scottish colleague is there. And there they are, sitting lecturing us about standing up for Wales and making sure that we get more money for Wales. We'll do that; they will never do that.

As we exit the European Union, an increasing number of people are concerned that we should retain the environmental laws that protect what you’ve just described—mainly the way that we have improved the environment here in Wales and in the UK. Now, on Monday, before the external affairs committee, you said that you had prepared a continuity Bill in case negotiations with the Westminster Government don’t succeed in providing these protections that we’re seeking. Don’t you believe it would be appropriate for you to publish that continuity Bill in draft form now, as a public demonstration of your commitment to ensure that this legislation should remain as we exit the European Union?

There is a Bill. There will be a decision about when it should be published. At present, what I would like to see is that the House of Commons accepts the amendments. If that does come to pass, then we won’t need a continuity Bill, but it's true to say that one has been drafted.

First Minister, the Welsh Labour Government has shown that, through its proactive approach to regulation, enforcement and wider initiatives, great progress can be made to protect the Welsh environment. This is clearly evidenced in the Welsh Labour Government's proactive ambition for Wales to recycle 70 per cent of all waste by 2025 and zero waste by 2050, with over 60 per cent of our municipal waste in Wales currently being recycled. What further actions, therefore, can the Welsh Government take to enhance this fantastic and strategic achievement?

I pay credit to my colleague Lesley Griffiths and those who held the position before her for the fantastic work that's been done on recycling. Back in 2000, we recycled about 4 per cent of waste arisings in Wales. There are stretching targets for the future, but also we need to work with others to make sure that the level of packaging is reduced. It's difficult to do it at the Welsh level, because most of what comes into Wales is packaged and purchased elsewhere, but co-ordinated European action, indeed, worldwide action, to reduce packaging in the first place would reduce waste arisings and make it even easier for us to increase our level of recycling.