10. Debate: The Draft Budget 2021-2022

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:38 pm on 9 February 2021.

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Photo of Russell George Russell George Conservative 6:38, 9 February 2021

Thank you—I thank the Government, for bringing, obviously, this debate forward, but I'm happy to speak myself in terms of me as Chair of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee. First of all, I would say—. I'm scrabbling to find my notes, as it happens. Apologies for that. There we are. Sorry, Presiding Officer. In terms of the work of the committee, we've obviously looked at the draft budget in detail, perhaps not in as much detail as we have in previous years, due to the other demands of the committee's work, but I'll comment, I think, largely in my contribution on issues around business support during the pandemic.

I'd say, from my perspective and the committee's perspective, generally, of course, we welcome the Welsh Government's commitment to ensure that those who are most likely to be adversely affected and impacted by the pandemic are given the greatest level of support. That's what the Welsh Government claims, and, of course, we as a committee would welcome that commitment, but what I would say and what the committee would say is that that needs to be maintained throughout any new support and through the recovery planning as well.