Thank you, Llywydd, and I'm pleased to contribute to this debate today on behalf of the committee. The committee met on 2 November to discuss the Welsh Government’s second supplementary budget for 2020-21. One of the things we do is to recognise that this supplementary budget is unusual in its timing, but, of course, as the Minister has already mentioned, we do welcome the transparency afforded to us in the Senedd by bringing forward this additional budget.

Many of our recommendations cover the issue of transparency. The UK Government, of course, has offered a funding guarantee. But when the UK Government makes new announcements, it's not clear whether these will lead to additional funding for Wales. Whilst there are clearly transparency issues with UK Government funding, we've also called for greater transparency from the Welsh Government, and have sought further details on a few specifics. First of all, more detail on funding for decommissioning the Dragon’s Heart Hospital; second, we've asked for breakdowns of funding provided to NHS organisations and claimed by local authorities; we've also requested details on the level of funding accessed by transport providers and expectations for further funding for the sector; and, fourthly, further details on the Welsh Government’s reserves to support COVID recovery and the end of the EU transition period.

Now, clearly, battling COVID is the immediate priority, but the end of the EU transition period is nearly upon us, and we must focus on this too. We need certainty over funding and we have pressed the Welsh Government to try and obtain details on the shared prosperity fund, and to have those details as a matter of urgency. 

Finally, the Minister stressed the need for end-of-year flexibility, and we fully support this request. We cannot predict the path COVID will take, and having flexibility, in terms of borrowing limits and reserves, would help the Welsh Government in its planning. Thank you.