10. Debate: The Final Budget 2022-23

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:07 pm on 8 March 2022.

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Photo of Rebecca Evans Rebecca Evans Labour 6:07, 8 March 2022

Diolch yn fawr. As ever, I do welcome the debate that we've had today and the comments from all Members, from all parties, because it's always illuminating if nothing else. 

Despite the challenging circumstances that we continue to face, we have maximised our available funding to respond to both the short-term and longer term challenges that we're facing. I think, as everybody has acknowledged this afternoon, many challenges remain, including the escalating cost-of-living crisis, alongside the terrible consequences of the invasion in Ukraine. The reason why we were able to provide a larger package of support here in Wales is because we've manged our money better. As Jenny Rathbone was saying, in Wales, you haven't seen those absolute scandals in relation to PPE, you haven't seen us giving out TTP contracts to our chums—absolutely not. We delivered the service through public services, where it belonged in the first place. People got a better service and, as a result, we were able to redeploy funding to support people and communities. Mike.