The funding arrangements for the Cardiff capital region city deal were finalised following the sign-off of the governance arrangements for the deal. The first instalment of £20 million funding has now been paid to the region.

I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues throughout the year to discuss Welsh Government budget matters as well as their individual Ministerial portfolios. This has included dialogue on projected year-end positions and the impact on the overall Welsh Government position.

This will form part of the work involved in refocusing the National Procurement Service and Value Wales, which I announced in September 2017 and which is already under way.

The average increase in band D council tax in Wales this year was 3.3 per cent. In England, it was 4 per cent. We have continued to protect local government from the effects of austerity with another positive settlement for 2018‑19. The setting of budgets and council taxes is a matter for each authority.