6. Debate: The First Supplementary Budget 2018-19

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:37 pm on 10 July 2018.

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Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 4:37, 10 July 2018

Can I welcome the first supplementary budget in this financial year? The Finance Committee, as has already been said by the Chair and by Mike Hedges, found little to comment on—small change, as Mike Hedges said—on its first quarter. But I hope that you also found the conclusions useful.

I was pleased to welcome the NHS announcement in the Wales infrastructure investment plan mid-term review, which will have a beneficial impact on health and social care, and like Mike Hedges, as patron for the credit unions in Wales, I particularly welcome the financial transactions facilities that you're making available to assist credit unions with important new regulatory responsibilities—vital to support ethical lending across Wales.

Can I also take the opportunity today to acknowledge the achievements of the past decade in terms of the development of a fiscal framework for Wales, taking on board our new powers? In fact, Nick Ramsay mentioned this in his contribution. The first Welsh taxes for hundreds of years, a permanent positive adjustment to the Barnett formula, capital and revenue borrowing provisions and preparations for the introduction of the Welsh rate of income tax—whilst you're making a statement, I think we've got the opportunity to acknowledge this important point today.

It's disappointing, I have to say, Nick Ramsay, that the Welsh Conservatives will be abstaining, because I think, really, from what you said, you support this supplementary budget today. I think it's worth saying, Cabinet Secretary, that support for this supplementary budget—[Interruption.] Okay.