The Welsh Government continues to support infrastructure in Islwyn, defraying the revenue costs of capital borrowing by partners in local government and housing and by direct provision of capital funding. The £22 million new build of Islwyn High School is just one recent example of this investment.

Guidance already exists on this matter but is in the process of being updated so local authorities and the third sector organisations which provide that advice develop and share good practice. I am clear that recovery practices need to be proportionate, fair and consistently applied, with particular support being available to vulnerable households.

In line with the 2017 Budget agreement with Plaid Cymru, we are investing £14m of revenue funding over two years to support medical education in north Wales. Cardiff, Swansea and Bangor Universities have put forward proposals to increase medical education and training in the area. These are currently being considered. 

I was pleased to provide an Oral Statement to the chamber yesterday in which I provided an update on proposals for a vacant land tax.

The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring that spending decisions are informed by robust evidence and value for money is considered throughout policy development.

The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring that spending decisions are informed by robust evidence and value for money is considered throughout policy development.

Since we published the Wales Infrastructure Investment Plan in 2012, we have invested £9 billion of core capital funding in projects across the whole of Wales, including improvements to the A40, as well as infrastructure investment in schools, housing and  health care.  

Our innovative procurement policies and approaches are having  positive impacts on jobs and communities in Wales. The outcome of the Review that is underway will enable us to make even more progress in conjunction with stakeholders.