, Finance Committee
Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26: Evidence session 8
Because it's closer to apples and apples then when you're—
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26: Evidence session 8
I briefly looked at that last night and it seemed to answer some of that concern. It's more about tracking year on year. And where there are changes in-year, I know it's difficult, but it's trying to get a sense of where the money's flowing, to be able to…
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26: Evidence session 8
Thank you for that. Moving on, then, to something that we talked a little bit about when you were with us last, your inclusion of a revised baseline for 2024-25. It's caused some confusion for some stakeholders when comparing revenue and capital spending year…
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26: Evidence session 8
I don't want us to be in the same position as we were a few years ago when money went back.
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26: Evidence session 8
And that wouldn't impact then on your ability to use those within the timescales that they need.
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26: Evidence session 8
Is that in the region of hundreds of millions or tens of millions?
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26: Evidence session 8
With Barnett consequentials—and we've seen late consequentials come in in a number of years—are you anticipating any more between now and the financial year end?
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26: Evidence session 8
High on the priority list.
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26: Evidence session 8
What's the reason behind them not publishing? Do you have a sense, from discussions you've had with Treasury?
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26: Evidence session 8
And we've been through quite a few different iterations of that, and reasons for the exceptional process. I think some of the work that I did, and the committee did, with your predecessor in getting to some consensus on some of that, I think we just need that…
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26: Evidence session 8
Because we've gone, effectively, in an exceptions process for six or seven years, rather than—. So, it's not an exception anymore.
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26: Evidence session 8
—and explore the issues caused by the timings of fiscal events to start off with, including budget planning and scrutiny and some of those aspects. You know, it’s a long-standing subject that we as a committee—and I know that it impacts on you as a Government…
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26: Evidence session 8
We're very thankful to have you here for this session, and we have received a lot of evidence ahead of time. And of course, we had the session just before Christmas with you as well when the budget was announced. I just want to look first this morning—
, Finance Committee
Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26: Evidence session 8
So, we’ll move on to the third item this morning, which is our substantive item for this morning, which is evidence session 8 on the Welsh Government draft budget for 2025-26. We have witnesses here with us, and the Cabinet Secretary. I just wondered if you’d…
, Finance Committee
Papers to note
We'll move on to item 2, which is papers to note. I hope to be able to note the papers that we have. Does everyone agree with that? Yes, thank you very much.
, Finance Committee
Introductions, apologies, substitutions and declarations of interest
A warm welcome to this meeting of the Finance Committee. It's good to see Members present. We have received an apology from Rhianon Passmore, and we must thank John Griffiths for stepping into the breach and joining us this morning on the committee. So, a…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government
Diolch. That would be welcome. And if you could write to us immediately when you know that, then that would be excellent to find out exactly what the situation is. You described this budget as a good budget earlier; the First Minister has boasted the claim…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government
On that question—Jane Dodds asked the question earlier of whether you would rather see the NI increase scrapped. I didn't hear a 'yes' or 'no' answer, but you might want to address that as well. While I'm sure you hope the full cost of Welsh local authorities…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government
Thank you for that reply.
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government
Diolch, Llywydd. I'd like to begin by thanking all local authority staff across Wales—our carers, our road repair crews, our bin collectors, the back-office staff and many, many others. These workers are under growing pressure, delivering essential services…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Earlier this month, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board declared a critical incident due to sustained pressure. This announcement was no surprise to anyone who'd been following the coverage of the hospital since it opened its doors just a few short years…
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
Thank you for that response.
, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
7. What is the Government doing to improve acute health services for people in South Wales East? OQ62185
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
I'd go further than Alun Davies, I'd say this is a scandal, what's happening with eHarleyStreet in Blaenau Gwent and across the Aneurin Bevan health board. Representing the area, I've been in touch with some of the GPs—the 40-plus GPs—that are now being…
, Finance Committee
Motion under Standing Order 17.42(ix) to resolve to exclude the public from the remainder of this meeting
So, under Standing Order 17.42(ix), I propose that we resolve to exclude the public from the remainder of this meeting. Yes? Diolch yn fawr. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
