4. Debate: The Final Budget 2018-19

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:38 pm on 16 January 2018.

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Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 4:38, 16 January 2018

Llywydd, in the draft budget debate, I commended the Welsh Labour Government's support for social care over the past eight years of austerity and reducing budgets, and I'm glad to start by focusing on that priority again today. I think it's worth recording again today, and reminding Members, that health and social services spend in Wales is 8 per cent higher than in England. I think in the context of this final budget debate today, it has been useful to have the report and statement on the parliamentary review of health and social care, showing opportunities for transforming our health and social care provision in Wales. It was good to hear the positive comments from the review team. Wales has got good things happening: prudent healthcare and the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 as examples.

I have spoken of my support for the integrated care fund, which actually was crafted by parties across—certainly three parties across this Chamber. The ICF stands at £50 million. It's sustained in this budget with an increase in capital. This fund actually, I think, does help to provide the seamlessness that is needed at the point of using services, which, of course, the review is talking about.

I just want to mention the involvement of the third sector in the delivery of the integrated care fund, clearly contributing to the preventative agenda, as shown in Glamorgan Voluntary Services.