As a member of the Finance Committee, I am pleased with the proactive approach also that the committee has taken to seek out the views of the Welsh people in helping shape the Welsh Government spending priority, a figure of almost £21 billion for the financial year 2023-24. I also want to make comment on the stoic work of the Chair, Peredur Owen Griffiths, and also fellow committee members. It is right and proper also that the committee does undertake meaningful citizen stakeholder engagement, and I'm proud of the work that's been undertaken and that we do engage proactively and purposely with Members of the Welsh Youth Parliament. So, thank you to all of those who participated and who will continue to engage. Minister, let us, though, not forget, and always remember, that the biggest consultation exercise with the Welsh people is always that conducted in democratic elections and the freedom of choice at the ballot box, and I'm mindful that the Welsh Labour Government was re-elected to commit to fulfilling those priorities of the Welsh public.

The current challenges, though, that we all face, are multitudinal and intense as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and as we still wade our way through the non-oven-ready Brexit. Today, we are faced with a Tory cost-of-living crisis that is attacking every single household, with inflation raging at levels not seen in over four decades and projected to skyrocket further. This is seismic and catastrophic for a nation with no functioning welfare net. And though I don't have time to mention it now, it is right that gender budgeting will also be on the agenda for our Minister. It was clear from the feedback that, as a committee, we received, that the public do value—hugely value—our public services, and that they are concerned about the climate emergency that we face, and they do want to see a Welsh Government on their side. Only last week, whilst addressing the Senedd, the First Minister of Wales set out the Welsh Government's legislative plans for the year ahead, and I won't go into detail, but a Bill on single-use plastics, a clean air Bill, an agricultural Bill, a Bill on infrastructure consenting, a Bill on coal tip safety—so important to our communities. So, the Welsh Government is clearly demarking its strong desire to address the challenge of climate change and to support the environment.

Much attention has focused on the proposed Senedd reform Bill, but it is important not to overlook the bus Bill that will be brought forward to enable all levels of government in Wales to work together to design bus networks that truly interconnect and truly serve communities. This in itself will be transformational for those we all serve. Additionally, the Welsh Government is committed to introducing more fairness, as citizens face a flood—a torrent—of rising costs, with a Bill on local government finance in late 2023 to reform fundamentally the way citizens pay council tax in Wales.

And finally, within the current devolved framework of competencies, such legislation is imperative and I know that the Welsh Government—ethical government—will seek to prioritise the people's concerns, with policy made for the people to mitigate climate change and to tackle the truly horrendous impacts of the worst ever Tory cost-of-living crisis. But Wales and this place need, as part of the United Kingdom, to fundamentally redress the lack of finance to Wales and, to do this, we need a Labour United Kingdom Government, elected in a general election as soon as possible, both for the people and of the people. Thank you. Diolch.