, Finance Committee
Scrutiny of the Senedd Commission Draft Budget 2027-28: Evidence Session
Just while we're focusing on some of the numbers, Chair, if it's okay, can you explain the increases over the next three years in the depreciation charges, which grow very significantly over three years?
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
I'll try and be brief. Minister, you'll be aware that Cardiff Council is delivering one of the UK's most ambitious and award-winning council house building schemes. A key factor in achieving that was having an LDP in place that enabled the council to secure…
, Plenary
Debate: Fiscal Reform
I'm concluding as we speak. My last sentence is: whatever the vote is today, the action continues and we in the Senedd and the Welsh Government need to continue to press on this issue. Diolch yn fawr.
, Plenary
Debate: Fiscal Reform
I'm running out of time, so I'll just go to the end, Llywydd. Welsh Labour will continue to make the case for Wales to receive its fair share of funding. We'll continue to press for needs-based funding and greater fiscal flexibility.
, Plenary
Debate: Fiscal Reform
Thanks to the two Labour Governments working together, we managed to secure additional powers in this area, including in relation to the expenditure of reserves. We are clear that those changes should continue and be permanent. But, as has been an issue for a…
, Plenary
Debate: Fiscal Reform
A pipeline of potentially 43 projects, 12,000 jobs in every part of Wales, with some examples including new stations in Swansea and west Wales, including at St Clears, improved services to Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock and Fishguard, direct services to…
, Plenary
Debate: Fiscal Reform
We all know how important public transport is to improve people's quality of life, to create jobs, to link communities and to bring people closer together, and to encourage economic growth and prosperity. We heard that in the debate on the Menai crossing and…
, Plenary
Debate: Fiscal Reform
Well, I'll try and use my time wisely, then, and I look forward to having no more contributions from the Reform benches as we get straight to the vote. [Laughter.] Let me be clear, Welsh Labour is proud to co-table this motion, welcoming and reaffirming…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
Diolch, Weinidog. I applaud the answer you gave earlier in response to Reform's attack on trade unions, and I should declare myself a member of many of them, including Unite, because I'm going to come on to this. You talk about social partnership, you talk…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
Minister, the programme for government, which you have overall oversight for, is full of references to collaboration and it's also very strong—there's a whole section on it—about supporting teachers. But, last week, an overwhelming majority of school leaders…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution
Thank you, Llywydd. Many comments have been made over recent weeks on constitutional issues. I want to focus on what's important to the people of Wales, and that's why I want to ask questions on the programme for government.
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government Draft Budget 2027-28 - Pre-budget scrutiny: Cabinet Minister for Finance
In terms of budget timing, how has the timing of the UK autumn budget impacted on planning for the draft budget, and how have the budget protocols in terms of when the Welsh Government's draft budget needs to be published been affected, and how are you going…
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government Draft Budget 2027-28 - Pre-budget scrutiny: Cabinet Minister for Finance
Diolch, Elin. I think the point you make about 'fully funded' is a fair one, but I would just urge you to press ministerial colleagues when they are developing plans and legislation. Passing legislation here is the easy bit. Delivering it ar lawr gwlad is the…
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government Draft Budget 2027-28 - Pre-budget scrutiny: Cabinet Minister for Finance
Just to pick up one line of inquiry from Iain on the funding provided to the NHS and local government, can you commit that any new responsibilities given to those organisations will be fully funded? Will you also continue the principle of providing funding…
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government Draft Budget 2027-28 - Pre-budget scrutiny: Cabinet Minister for Finance
Just on the preventative side, Minister, you and I have already discussed issues around health spending and the pressures within the NHS on an annual basis, and much of that spend inevitably goes towards not preventative but responsive care. I was reminded…
, Finance Committee
Audit Wales - Scrutiny of Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26 and the Annual Plan 2026-27: Evidence Session 1
I don't know, so, give us a sense of the findings and what you're doing.
, Finance Committee
Audit Wales - Scrutiny of Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26 and the Annual Plan 2026-27: Evidence Session 1
There's always room for improvement.
, Finance Committee
Audit Wales - Scrutiny of Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26 and the Annual Plan 2026-27: Evidence Session 1
Chair, just to stay in that area of board effectiveness, actually, I note the effectiveness review that you carried out and I commend you for undertaking that work. I wonder if you can just say a bit more about the findings, given that that identified you as…
, Finance Committee
Audit Wales - Scrutiny of Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26 and the Annual Plan 2026-27: Evidence Session 1
Bethan, yes. So, my final question—.
, Finance Committee
Audit Wales - Scrutiny of Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26 and the Annual Plan 2026-27: Evidence Session 1
Thank you, Ian, and I think that is something for us as a committee to consider. I think that in the advertising material for a seat on the board, there is an example—
, Finance Committee
Audit Wales - Scrutiny of Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26 and the Annual Plan 2026-27: Evidence Session 1
You go, Ian; answer it now.
, Finance Committee
Audit Wales - Scrutiny of Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26 and the Annual Plan 2026-27: Evidence Session 1
In your new structure.
, Finance Committee
Audit Wales - Scrutiny of Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26 and the Annual Plan 2026-27: Evidence Session 1
So, the new leadership team is now 50:50?
, Finance Committee
Audit Wales - Scrutiny of Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26 and the Annual Plan 2026-27: Evidence Session 1
Yes, staying in this area, staff composition specifically, over half your employees are female, but only 20 per cent of your senior leadership are female, and likewise I think the board is currently two thirds male. I appreciate, Catherine, with you coming…
, Finance Committee
Audit Wales - Scrutiny of Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26 and the Annual Plan 2026-27: Evidence Session 1
Fantastic. Okay. There's no mention of it, but that's okay. I was then just going to ask about—and we have touched on it—the decrease in the number of people on permanent contracts and the increase in the number of people on fixed-term contracts. I think…
