2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:37 pm on 18 January 2022.

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Photo of Natasha Asghar Natasha Asghar Conservative 2:37, 18 January 2022

Minister, today my business statement will be in two parts, if that's okay, the first in relation to the delay in publishing the Welsh Government's accounts. As much as I enjoy sitting on the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee with colleagues from various parties, as well as with our brilliant clerks and researchers, it's evident that this delay is hindering the work of the public accounts committee in scrutinising and holding the Welsh Government to account. I understand the reason for this delay is the need to finalise one single item, and I am concerned that, unless this is done quickly, it could cause a backlog of work and add to the burdens of the committee staff. Therefore, I should be grateful for a statement on this at the earliest opportunity.

Secondly, Minister, the Senedd this week is debating increases in the cost of living, and a key factor in this is energy costs, which many of my colleagues have mentioned in their questions to the First Minister. The Welsh Government's Nest scheme offers a package of home energy efficiency improvements to lower energy bills. And as I've mentioned, the First Minister touched on that earlier. However, Minister, there are no specific grants for solar panels in Wales. So, can I please have a statement from the Minister for Climate Change on what consideration is being given to a scheme to provide grants for solar panels to be installed on domestic properties in Wales to help people with their fuel bills? Thank you so much.