7. What discussions has the Welsh Government had with the UK Government on implementing the recommendations of the Burns report? OQ56483

I thank Jenny Rathbone for that, Llywydd. The Welsh Government welcomes the interim report of the Sir Peter Hendy review of union connectivity. The report highlights the work of the Burns commission and its proposals for mainline investment, creating new stations and services to improve connectivity through better public transport. 

Last week, we adopted more challenging carbon emission reduction targets for Wales, and it was backed by all Members, which was fantastic. So, I was disappointed—not to say it's contradictory—that the Welsh Conservatives still plan to fritter £2 billion on a redundant relief road instead of the modern public transport network proposed by the Burns report and endorsed by your Welsh Government. I think the Burns report is a really excellent way forward for delivering clean air as well as our obligations on reducing carbon emissions, not just for my constituents but for the whole of south-east Wales.

But, as you know, First Minister, the spine of this integrated metro scheme, proposed by Burns, is better use of the four main lines between Cardiff and Newport and beyond. So, what discussions have been had with the UK Government, in light of the interim report from Peter Hendy, about taking forward this transformative plan, given that they remain responsible for the mainline rail infrastructure?

Well, Llywydd, I very much echo what Jenny Rathbone said about the calibre of the Burns commission report, and now, very importantly, the report endorsed in the Sir Peter Hendy union connectivity review, specifically referenced by Sir Peter in the foreword to that document, where he says that devolution has been good for transport and where he specifically refers to the mainline upgrades, which are the spine of that Burns commission. And, indeed, the Sir Peter Hendy review, in the way that Jenny Rathbone just mentioned, places particular emphasis on decarbonisation, the environmental agenda and the net-zero carbon target by 2050. So, all of that is good news; what we now need is the UK Government to come in behind both the Burns commission and its own union connectivity review.

Now, my colleague Ken Skates met with Baroness Vere, the Minister responsible in the UK Government, on 10 March, to discuss the union connectivity interim report. And that was an opportunity to impress on the UK Government, again, the part that they can play in making a reality of the Burns commission's recommendations and, at the same time, to improve connectivity between south Wales, the south-west of England and beyond.

I said in an earlier answer to Darren Millar, Llywydd, that I want to see the United Kingdom reinforced. Here is a report of a group of people that the UK Government commissioned. They specifically refer to what the UK Government can now do to invest in Wales to create those connections that will sustain the union in the future. Let us hope that they demonstrate that their fondness for the union is not just in asserting the UK Government's rights in Wales, but in following through on investments that genuinely would help to make the UK operate as a connected whole.

And the very final question to the First Minister in this Senedd term is to be asked by Laura Jones, our newest Member. Laura Jones.