4. Statement by the First Minister: Social Partnership

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:52 pm on 9 July 2019.

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Photo of Mark Drakeford Mark Drakeford Labour 3:52, 9 July 2019

(Translated)

Thank you, Adam Price, for your contribution this afternoon. What Adam said was correct, of course. What we’re suggesting here in Wales are things that do happen overseas in other nations every day. I was speaking in FMQs this afternoon about the community bank, and of course that’s part of what other people do on a daily basis. So, what we’re doing is drawing upon other good examples, in Germany and in the Basque Country as well. There’s a group of people from the Basque Country, from the Government there, in Wales today. I’m going to meet them tomorrow, and that’s happening after I and other Ministers have gone to the Basque Country to hear from them about how they do things, and the prosperity of their economy and how we can learn from the lessons that are available in other nations.

And, of course, what Adam Price was saying about research is also true. There is a great deal of research available in this field. I referred to the ILO, and work is being done by the World Bank on this as well, and a great deal of work has gone on in the academic sphere as well. The first step, I think, is to draw together the information that we have at present, to share that with the partnerships and to see whether they think that there are gaps in the research that we currently have, and whether there is a case to fill those gaps. I’m very happy to confirm that the Bill will be brought before the Assembly in this term, and I very much look forward to the scrutiny process. I’ve heard what Adam Price said about the number of people around the table when we create a new system, and there will be an opportunity for me tomorrow, in the meeting that I have with the unions, and with employers as well, to put that point to them as well.