, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Annual scrutiny of Transport for Wales
Thank you. Last year, we discussed the challenges involved in moving to the multi-year forward-look budget process required by the Welsh Government. What progress have you made towards adopting that approach?
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Annual scrutiny of Transport for Wales
No, but as long as you don't forget, because I just feel you're far too generous.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Annual scrutiny of Transport for Wales
Just as a supp on that, I've raised questions before about delayed trains and the compensation you pay out, and I've always felt you're far too generous. Has that ever been looked at?
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Annual scrutiny of Transport for Wales
Great. Last year, James, you told us that TfW's budget process had become more streamlined, but, unlike other arm's-length bodies, you still don't operate on a single budget. Why is TfW treated differently and has any more progress been made to address this…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Annual scrutiny of Transport for Wales
Yes. I'm right now. Will TfW have the budget it needs to meet its obligations in 2026-27? Are any projects, programmes or commitments at risk for the coming financial year and how are you managing that risk?
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Annual scrutiny of Transport for Wales
What are your views on the proposed memorandum—. Where am I? Sorry.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
UK Government rail policy and rail reform - evidence session with Professor Mark Barry
But where you've made the point is that we've got all these functions, but the main thing that drives these, in a more beneficial way for us in Wales, we've left that bit and maybe now we need to be more brave ourselves.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
UK Government rail policy and rail reform - evidence session with Professor Mark Barry
Okay, it was rejected in 2005, but this was a very young institution. It's growing. As of the next election, more Members; we're a bigger body now. So, would now be a good time to flex our muscles in Wales to say—and I'm an anti-devolution—
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
UK Government rail policy and rail reform - evidence session with Professor Mark Barry
And is 'due regard' higher?
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
UK Government rail policy and rail reform - evidence session with Professor Mark Barry
No, no, I'm not asking about the individuals.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
UK Government rail policy and rail reform - evidence session with Professor Mark Barry
Whoever's the—. Have they influenced them? That's what I mean.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
UK Government rail policy and rail reform - evidence session with Professor Mark Barry
And is the Secretary of State, regardless of which side—shadow or otherwise—doing enough? The previous—
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
UK Government rail policy and rail reform - evidence session with Professor Mark Barry
No, what I mean is, is it a big impossibility for us to have those negotiations with the UK?
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
UK Government rail policy and rail reform - evidence session with Professor Mark Barry
Okay. Are the Cabinet Secretary’s hands tied, really, or not really?
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
UK Government rail policy and rail reform - evidence session with Professor Mark Barry
And how do we do that?
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
UK Government rail policy and rail reform - evidence session with Professor Mark Barry
The Secretary of State will be required to produce a long-term rail strategy, and in doing so must consult the Welsh Ministers. What are your views on this approach, and should it be going ahead?
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
UK Government rail policy and rail reform - evidence session with Professor Mark Barry
Thank you. A Welsh Government official has told the Commons Transport Committee that there is a question around whether there are sufficient links between the memorandum of understanding and the legislation. He queried whether it should be laid, consulted on…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
UK Government rail policy and rail reform - evidence session with Professor Mark Barry
Thanks. Can I just ask: do you feel there's been a difference between—you've been very honest, and that's what we want—a Labour Government and a Conservative Government, or are they as bad as each other?
, Plenary
Debate: The Final Budget 2026-27
Thank you. If I recall, there was money sent to the Welsh Labour Government, in terms of the Barnett formula, in the October budget, and you decided—. You have choices, and you decided collectively not to spend that money on health and to put it into more…
, Plenary
Debate: The Final Budget 2026-27
Will you just take an intervention?
, Plenary
Debate: The Final Budget 2026-27
Ten million pounds on non-devolved international relations, Ugandan tree planting, which really does incense the majority of people—. This budget set out by the Welsh Labour Government, and again supported by Plaid Cymru, is a classic smoke-and-mirrors…
, Plenary
Debate: The Final Budget 2026-27
Absolutely wrong, and on a point of order, Llywydd, when it came to the scrutiny in principle, we were sold a very different policy.
, Plenary
Debate: The Final Budget 2026-27
Over the last financial year, yet again the picture across Wales has been pretty dire. We have gone backwards again—local authorities cutting back services, tourism businesses struggling under rising costs, shops disappearing from our high streets. These are…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
So, will you, First Minister, please look at those areas I've mentioned and come back to me with a letter, just to tell me how those waiting lists are going down, because they're not?
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Yes. This is just not acceptable. You stand there week after week stating that you're bringing waiting lists down. In those areas I've mentioned, they're increasing. [Interruption.] I'm not speaking to you; I'm speaking to the First Minister.
