Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:03 pm on 7 January 2020.
Diolch, Llywydd. I welcome the debate that we've had this afternoon and most of the comments and representations that we've had from colleagues. And as I outlined in my opening statement, this is a budget that's taking place amidst uncertainty and evolving circumstances, and it's also a budget set in the long shadow cast by a decade of imposed austerity by the UK Government and despite claims austerity isn't yet over. And it's also a budget set with no clarity on our exit from the European Union or a clear picture on the outlook for public spending beyond next year. And we'll also, obviously, need to mange the consequences of the UK budget after we've finalised our spending plans for 2020-1. This really is the challenging backdrop to the debate that we've had today.
I reassure Suzy Davies that I always listen attentively to all contributions during my debates, and I will try and respond to as many of the points that have been raised this afternoon, but, of course, all of my colleagues look forward to attending their subject committees for scrutiny this week and next week, and there'll be opportunities to delve into some further depth on some of these issues as well.
Like Llyr Gruffydd I was really struck by being told by Darren Millar that we've never had it so good. I would love to see Darren Millar say that to the people who turn up at my surgery absolutely destitute and in despair, incredibly stressed and in anxiety with the situations that face them. People are struggling as a result of austerity and welfare reform. Tell that to people who are visiting foodbanks. Tell that to people who are working in the gig economy with zero-hours contracts and not knowing what kind of certainty they can plan on.