6. Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's approach to budget monitoring and management? OAQ53923

Individual Ministers are responsible for budget monitoring and management within their own portfolios, but I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues throughout the year and receive monthly financial reports. The budgetary position is also monitored monthly by the executive committee of the Welsh Government.

Thank you very much for that, Minister, because as you have oversight of this, I'm sure you'll bear in mind that budget decisions are supposed to give regard to the principles of equality and, of course, bear in mind the 2050 target for 1 million Welsh speakers. So, can you tell me what discussions you've had with the Minister for Education about financial support for those who can deliver the new childcare qualification in non-maintained nursery settings through the medium of Welsh, particularly as those both seeking and delivering the qualifications are more likely to be women?

Thank you for raising that issue. Of course, equality and our responsibilities to people who choose to communicate through the medium of Welsh and also our obligations under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 are at the very heart of the discussions that we have with colleagues. I’ve been having my first round of budget bilaterals over the past weeks and I’m very clear and very careful to include issues of impact assessments in those discussions and also to be exploring how the well-being of future generations Act is informing decisions that individual Ministers are making, how they're responding to the climate emergency and also how they’re taking on board their responsibilities in terms of decarbonisation and biodiversity and so on. But I have not had any specific discussions regarding financial support for individuals who are participating in the childcare offer with the Minister. I will discuss with her whether it is a pressure that she’s identified within her budget.

Question 7 [OAQ53901] has been withdrawn, therefore question 8—Delyth Jewell.