2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:42 pm on 1 December 2020.

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Photo of Rebecca Evans Rebecca Evans Labour 2:42, 1 December 2020

Thank you to Llyr for raising both of those really important issues. I will convey that request to the Minister with regard to an oral statement pertaining to the White Paper. I'm afraid I don't have a date on the papers in front of me, so I'll ensure that I do have that conversation to establish the intentions there and to convey your particular request.

On the spending review, I was able to provide the Senedd with a written statement immediately following the spending review last week, which was disappointing for us in Wales on a number of levels, but particularly so regarding the issues facing farm funding and what has been a complete, I think, betrayal of rural Wales, with £137 million less next year to invest in that particular area. I am currently, in my role as finance Minister, working with colleagues across Government now to fashion our draft budget in response to that, which I will be laying before Christmas. But, obviously, I'd be keen to look for further opportunities to update colleagues on the spending review and the implications for us, and I'm aware that I've had an invitation to Finance Committee, so that might be another opportunity to have those discussions.