Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:59 pm on 5 June 2019.
The overriding objective of this Government is to make sure that every person in Wales has an opportunity to work, ensuring that there is a job in every household. That's the best way out of poverty and that's the best way to avoid poverty. But, Dirprwy Lywydd, as Rhianon Passmore clearly said, there is one important actor in this debate that needs to step up to the plate. For nearly a decade now, austerity and welfare cuts have seen the UK Government reaching into the pockets of the poorest and the most vulnerable people to finance an economic dogma. And, to give you a sense of what we have been through, had our budgets in Wales stood still between 2009 and 2019, we would have £800 million more to spend on public services. However, had they grown in line with the economy, we would have had £4 billion more from the UK Government to invest in our country. I'll give way.