The European advisory group has met six times to date and is due to next meet on Thursday, 7 December. It plays a vital role in advising on how we can secure a continued positive relationship for Wales with Europe.

Major capital investments planned for South East Wales include £754 million for the south Wales metro, £350 million for construction of the Grange university hospital, £50 million for the new Llanwern Railway station and £345 million earmarked for band B of the twenty-first century schools programme.

With governance arrangements agreed, the Cardiff capital region city deal is in the process of identifying, prioritising and agreeing projects and interventions that benefit the region as a whole as well as addressing regional inequalities.

Sixty organisations have formally signed up to the code so far. This comprises 20 public sector and 40 private and third sector organisations.

A permanent small business rates relief scheme will be implemented from 1 April, 2018. Plans for the further development of non-domestic rates include reviewing the appeals system and tackling fraud and avoidance. 

In stark contrast to the United Kingdom Government, our draft budget protects the services that matter most, including those delivered by local government.

I raised the matter of a plastics tax at my meeting with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 26 October. I look forward to discussing with the UK Government their intention to explore a tax on plastics.

Car parks in Wales are already liable for non-domestic rates. They are assessed for rating purposes by the Valuation Office Agency using a consistent methodology that takes account of a wide range of relevant factors.