Diolch, Llywydd. Thank you to Paul Davies for opening this debate, stating that the Welsh economy continues to lag behind other parts of the UK with the worst GVA—meaning the value of goods and services produced per head—since 1999. As he said, we've had so many debates about the need to do things differently, but the economy has lagged at the bottom of so many key indicators, because something is not working—the Labour Welsh Government. He said that membership of the UK has enabled Wales to weather the storm of the pandemic, and much more needs to be done to assist businesses and create conditions for growth, and make Wales an attractive place to do business, including and especially in our rural areas and the ports, which of course are dear to his heart. He talked about the need for green transport infrastructure and support for businesses to navigate those waters, and he said, as we bounce back from the pandemic, we have an opportunity to change our mindset and do things differently. 

Cefin Campbell, as you might expect before an election, talked about his party's primary purpose in existing, which is separatism—perhaps ignoring the historic reality that Welsh actually means British. He then pulled out a few points—. I'll quote an example: 6 per cent of rail track in Wales, only 1 per cent of budget. When we put that to the Office of Rail Regulation in committee a few years ago, they stated that Wales received 9.6 per cent of net Government funding for franchised train operators and Network Rail, and 6.4 per cent of total net Government funding for national rail routes.

Natasha Asghar said she often feels like we hear words but we don't see any action, and she called on the Welsh Government to support Holyhead port. Thank you for supporting north Wales and the great work, of course, of Virginia Crosbie MP.

Of course, our motion today is about the poor stewardship of the Welsh economy by successive Labour Welsh Governments. [Interruption.] Well, I congratulate Carolyn Thomas on her audacity in deflecting Labour Welsh Government failure. It's to drag Wales from the bottom of the economic pile and liberate its great entrepreneurial spirit. 

Janet Finch-Saunders referred to the poor stewardship of the Welsh economy by Labour, having left Wales with the lowest level of disposable income in the UK. She referred to the commitment of the Prime Minister to Wylfa Newydd on Anglesey, where 23 years of Labour Welsh Government has left prosperity levels at the lowest in Wales, at just under half those levels in Cardiff. She said there's no excuse for Wales not to be striving, innovative part of the United Kingdom.

Mabon ap Gwynfor: more nationalist mantra—understandable, but perhaps betraying the true history and legacy of our people, the historic Britons and its destiny to unite the lands of Britain. Read Y Mabinogion. As he said, however, people create wealth, and the people of Wales are not stupid; they are as able as anyone else to run a stable economy—absolutely right. He said, though, however, the Welsh economy is different to that of London. It is, but not to multiple regions in other parts of the UK.

Sam Rowlands pointed out that Labour was failing north Wales, creating a north-south divide, with north Wales's economy lagging behind the rest of Wales, and giving the example of the lack of investment in the north Wales metro—just £50 million compared to £750 million in the south Wales metro. And he talked about the need to promote sports in north Wales and the importance of tourism to the Welsh economy, supporting 140,000 jobs, and he criticised again the anti-business stance, causing some businesses to struggle in Wales.

Mike Hedges—you should be over here, Mike. I loved your speech; I'd agree with 90 per cent of it—the importance of access to investment and venture capital and of a culture of lifelong learning and efficient transport systems, encouraging companies to come to our towns and cities. How right you are.

The Minister, Vaughan Gething: I agree with him when he said that he doesn't agree that independence is the answer. He then said unemployment in Wales is below the UK rate but failed to point out that the employment level in Wales is below England, Scotland and the United Kingdom. He detailed how Welsh Government had spent the money received from the UK Government, but then said he wanted more—always spending on not solving the problems affecting Wales, always then demanding more. Despite Labour Welsh Government having received billions of EU funding, supposed to close the prosperity gap both within Wales and between Wales and the rest of the UK, these gaps have instead become entrenched. However, although this funding was only ever intended to be temporary, Labour Welsh Government use it to subsidise rather than target the deep-rooted causes of economic underperformance and consequent social deprivation in large parts of Wales, misrepresenting this as a permanent source of funding, keeping the people down and dependent.

Wales has 5 per cent of the UK population, but after 23 years of Labour Welsh Government still only produces 3.4 per cent of UK wealth. Wales has the lowest output per head and raises the least revenue per head amongst the UK nations—