3. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:17 pm on 21 May 2019.

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Photo of Vikki Howells Vikki Howells Labour 3:17, 21 May 2019

Trefnydd, I'd like to request three statements from the Welsh Government today. Firstly, I'd like to ask for a statement from you as Finance Minister on preparations to create a vacant land tax. This is something that I've welcomed, as it could be a key driver to tackle land banking, to promote regeneration and community well-being, so I wonder how plans for this are proceeding.

Secondly, I'd welcome a statement from the Minister for Housing and Local Government on the Welsh Government's response to the child poverty statistics that were released last week. It was no joy for me to see a ward in my constituency topping the list of areas with the highest child poverty. I'm meeting with the End Child Poverty coalition soon, and I note that, although there are lots of Welsh Government interventions taking place, the key levers that they have identified are not devolved. A statement or a debate in Government time could give the opportunity to take stock of this very important situation. 

Finally, I'd welcome a statement or a debate in Government time on the shared prosperity fund. We all know the promises that were made three years ago, that Wales would be not a penny worse off after Brexit, but there are many people who are very concerned about the future of the shared prosperity fund and how it will operate, especially considering that Wales has been a net beneficiary from the EU for all these years. The cross-party group on industrial communities has heard some particularly worrying evidence that we are no closer to seeing how any shared prosperity fund will operate. So, could we have a debate in Government time to discuss a response to this?