In welcoming the budget statement and this debate, I have to put on record my disappointment when it comes to our climate change agenda. Members will be well aware of my concerns raised in the Senedd that the Welsh Government continues to place long-term arrangements for environmental governance on the back burner, thereby squandering this opportunity for Wales to be a world leader in environmental green protections. Indeed, whilst Natural England is receiving a 47 per cent increase in UK Government funding, data provided by Wales Environment Link, via their budgetary consultation submission, shows that Natural Resources Wales's funding has decreased by 35 per cent between 2013 and 2020. Over the same period, prosecutions on environmental offences have reduced by 61 per cent, with WEL members rightly raising concerns about an apparent lack of capacity for robust monitoring programmes and management of protected sites. According to my own analysis, NRW is now set to receive a real-terms cut in funding, with them remaining at £69.7 million for 2022-23. So, to protect our green spaces, I ask the Minister to review this situation, and look to use whatever resources are available to introduce a framework for a long-term independent office for environment protection. 

On the issue of budgetary analysis, I also notice concerns regarding the fact that the budget lines for marine and fisheries often become entangled. With marine conservation being a central concern for many residents along the coast here, in north Wales, the present level of difficulty in trying to identify what level of budget is being provided for marine biodiversity or habitat restoration, compared to funds available for supporting the fishing industry—. It's not there. So, in the name of transparency, would the Minister look to provide an additional breakdown so that this can be scrutinised more easily? 

Elsewhere, I recognise that an unspecified amount will go towards establishing a publicly owned energy company. Given the issues encountered by the Bristol Energy company, whereby the failing asset was sold for £14 million, which was far less than the £36.5 million invested by Bristol City Council, perhaps this money would be better spent establishing a microgrid trial in north Wales. Decision makers in Cardiff Bay have long acknowledged that Wales continues to experience a grid capacity crisis, which is causing an unnecessary trip in the system, preventing meaningful and long-term progress in the nation's green industrial revolution. Fostering such a microgrid trial in north Wales would be in line with the north Wales energy strategy. So, I ask that the Minister again looks at this budget so that our shared interest in such progress can be recognised with the resource it deserves. 

Finally, I do find it concerning that the budget seeks to provide £1 million in revenue funding to establish a national construction company that will, in effect, compete with our hard-working property developers. From conversations with the industry, I know that the private sector stands ready to provide housing and generate employment opportunities. However, as my own stakeholder group can attest, we know that 10,000 new homes are being blocked via NRW's troubling guidance on phosphates. The Minister for Climate Change needs to clarify what resources will the Welsh Government be setting aside to unplug the block on housebuilding throughout Wales. Having declared a climate emergency well over two years ago now, one would have thought by now that this budget would have reflected the Welsh Government's priorities in terms of climate change and our carbon outputs. Clearly, when reading through it, it is not very evident at all that this focus is as meaningful as it should be. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer.