Diolch, Llywydd. I am pleased to open the debate on our 2023-24 final budget. As I outlined when publishing our draft budget, this is undoubtedly a budget made in hard times for hard times. It reflects the constraints of our funding settlement, but despite this, we remain ambitious for Wales. Despite the challenges that we've faced, this budget has been forged with a spirit of collaboration and transparency, putting the people and communities of Wales first. In that spirit I want to start by thanking all of those who’ve contributed to this budget. This budget would not have been possible without the participation and co-operation of colleagues within my own party. I also want to thank Siân Gwenllian, the lead designated Member for the co-operation agreement’s budgetary arrangements, for our ongoing engagement and the productive working relationship that we have. I’d also like to thank Jane Dodds for our constructive discussions, particularly in relation to rural dentistry, and the way in which these have shaped the plans that we’re voting on today.

It's also important to recognise that this is a budget that builds on the foundations that we outlined last year as part of our three-year spending review. Our 2022-23 budget provided a substantial three-year budget package up to 2024-25 using every lever to strengthen public services, tackle climate change, tackle the nature emergency and support businesses and people in Wales. As we reflect, this has been a year where we have seen, and continue to see, the ongoing impacts of inflation. We have seen three Prime Ministers, three Chancellors and the shocking mismanagement of public finances by the UK Government. The funding provided by the autumn statement fell far short of the interventions needed to meet the challenges that we face. We have now seen these impacts spelled out through the 2023-24 budget process.