, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
No, it will be done more effciently.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
Yes, and this is where it always gets interesting. They're based on different statutory bases and, therefore, I could not compel them. But I could write to them and ask them to do this, and they've responded positively to that. I think it comes back to—…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
I'll give you one simple example. I hope there'll be more in due course, but our public services boards and our regional partnership boards are asked to undertake assessments of their local communities, and what I've done is directed them to use the same data…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
I thought I'd got away with it. [Laughter.]
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
One of the things that we're seeking to do as an office, and I've met with the chief digital officer on several occasions already, is to drive digital innovation right across the public services in Wales. Therefore, if it is to do with a more effective NHS…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
I have responsibility for Government effectiveness and digital. The matters around AI and the economy sit with my colleague the Minister for the economy—. Sorry, for a moment, the exact title—. It's enterprise, connectivity and the economy, isn't it?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
I'm pleased to say that I've already had a discussion with the AI Minister. I think there is an advantage that he is the member for the Vale of Glamorgan, I suspect. But my approach to colleagues in the UK Government is to approach them co-operatively and…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
I think they're subtly different questions. Some of the work that we've begun to do in the Cabinet Office to drive our priorities digitally and through making effective use of timely data is something that I'm keen on. We've been working on it; our chief…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
It's an important question. What I hope that we will achieve is to ensure progress on the main priorities. By their fruit you will recognise them, as it were. There has been a tendency in the past from politicians, and the Welsh Government perhaps, to…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
I set out, in response to the letter from the Legislation Committee, my understanding of the timetable, which is clearly in the hands of my colleagues in the UK Government. The Bill completed its passage through the Commons before summer recess and had its…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
My officials are working through those issues and I will be updating the Senedd during this term, because fundamentally, as you've highlighted, the experiences of particularly the COVID-bereaved families—. We owe it to them to ensure that the lessons are…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
I'm crystal clear that we need a full review. My officials are working through the issues around reviews and inquiries that you've highlighted. You will be well aware of how public inquiries can take a very considerable amount of time and can cost a very…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
Well, the first point to note is that there has been an enormous amount of work already undertaken to consider the lessons of COVID. You’ve referenced the COVID inquiry, you've referenced the work that was undertaken in the previous Senedd. My party, in the…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
I think some of it requires a bit of—I'm really making a rod for my own back now—but some of it requires a little bravery from Government Ministers, who can set out a direction of travel. For example, some of the work that Nesta has done around test and…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
Like I say, I'm hogging the limelight here and I'm sure Jo would like to come in too on this one. What I would say is, as part of the 100 days programme, one of the things we were doing was regularly monitoring progress each week on each of the actions…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
We're in danger of agreeing on everything, Chair. I'm not quite sure it's supposed to be like this. But diolch, Cai.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
I would kindly suggest that it's the strategy and funding division on student loans. However, the point you make is well made. I mean, clearly, as a member of the public, exhibit A from the Member—XF73—doesn't particularly add much to understanding. So, I'm…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
I think there is a level of transparency currently about financial data, and, of course, that transparency is assisted by the way that tools can help you interrogate data more effectively now. I'm keen to develop transparency in data. I'd be happy to hear…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
Do you want to expand a little on what you mean, or shall I—? I mean, I can answer, but I might give a fuller answer if you could give a hint as to where you're going.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
As I said in my responses in the Senedd, ultimately, those are things for the Senedd to progress, and we stand ready to support the Senedd in progressing the lobbying register. I made it clear, in my response to the debate put forward by Reform UK, that we…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
I think what you have in constitutional matters is a number of areas where—. They've been described by others as jagged edges of devolution. If you look at issues around youth justice, for example, if you look at issues around natural resources, policing, the…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
Well, I think there is a Government-wide focus on delivery. We've been clear about our priorities around childcare and around the economy, which I've rehearsed already, and that will be the focus of the delivery unit, it will be the focus of the programme for…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
I'm hoping to see practical, effective delivery of better regional governance in Wales during the next four years.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
The Government hasn't made any commitments to reform the boundaries of local government, as you'll be aware, Member. However, I think one of the things that has become even clearer to me in my role is the plethora of regional and sub-regional committees…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Introductory evidence session with the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
We'll be working towards getting a better understanding of what's going on, yes.
