Finally, I would like to thank the Minister for her ongoing commitment to reviewing the budget process protocol, which sets out an understanding between the Senedd and the Welsh Government on budget scrutiny arrangements. The trend in recent years for the delay in publication of the Welsh Government’s draft budget in light of the timing of UK fiscal events has resulted in a truncated scrutiny process with less time available for committees to engage with stakeholders and look in detail at the budgetary proposals that have been put forward. I am therefore grateful to the Minister for considering changes to the protocol and for agreeing to appear before the Finance Committee prior to the publication of future draft budgets, should timescales be delayed again.

As noted in our report, I will also shortly be writing to other committee Chairs to consult on the level and quality of the budget documentation accompanying the draft budget, including the timeliness of the responses provided by the Government, with a view to seeking improvements for future years. We look forward to working with the Minister on these and other issues, and I hope that our constructive conversations will continue to ensure that any changes can be implemented in good time for the 2024-25 budget round. Thank you very much.