Group 11: Contracts register (Amendments 10, 11)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 7:00 pm on 7 March 2023.

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Photo of Peredur Owen Griffiths Peredur Owen Griffiths Plaid Cymru 7:00, 7 March 2023

Diolch yn fawr. And to close my final contribution in this, the final debate of the Stage 3 proceedings, I'd like to take the opportunity to thank all those who have assisted with the scrutiny process: Senedd clerks, lawyers, and the Plaid team, and I'd also like to pay tribute to the way in which the Minister and her officials have approached the scrutiny process, and I hope she feels better soon. It's a pity she wasn't in the Chamber here, but I'm glad that she was able to take part in this debate.

We haven't agreed on everything, and neither should we, but this final legislation emerging out of Stage 3 will represent a genuine compromise that has been vastly improved as a result of this approach. It's fitting now that we have approached this legislation about social partnership in that way and that it's been conducted in that very spirit.

In terms of the content of the legislation, it is significant that this Senedd, in agreeing the amendments at Stage 3 today, has taken another decisive step in favour of the Welsh way of undoing Thatcherism and putting in place a procurement framework that is a catalyst for redistribution, driving down outsourcing to cheaper, private sector providers and providing a value-driven approach, purchasing from Welsh-based suppliers that pay good wages and respect and advance our values in how they conduct their activities, of working with our trade unions and our workers, and restricting their rights, not stripping them away—and respecting their rights, not stripping them away. Sorry; it's been a long session. [Laughter.]

This represents the two choices about Wales's future: developing Wales as a nation for our workers and our local businesses, or subjecting ourselves to the divide-and-rule tactics and fewer rights and protections under Westminster's watch, putting up barriers to striking, protesting, and even voting. This legislation is an endorsement of the former. I thank the Minister for confirming that the Government will be supporting our amendments.