Agenda and minutes

This meeting was held in a hybrid format, with some Members in the Senedd Chamber and others joining by video-conference.

The Presiding Officer will call party spokespeople to ask questions without notice to the Minister after Question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 13.30

The first 8 questions were asked. Questions 2 and 8 was answered by the Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.

 

The Presiding Officer will call party spokespeople to ask questions without notice to the Minister after Question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 14.18

The first 8 questions were asked. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.

NDM8493 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 20.30, approves the Second Supplementary Budget for the financial year 2023-24 laid in the Table Office on Tuesday, 20 February 2024.

Footnote:

In accordance with the relevant provisions contained in the Government of Wales Act 2006 and Standing Order 20, the Supplementary Budget comprises the following information:

(i) the written statement required under section 125(3) of the Government of Wales Act;

(ii) the resources agreed by the Treasury for the Welsh block budget for the financial year covered by the motion;

(iii) a reconciliation between the resources allocated to the Welsh block budget by the Treasury and the resources to be authorised for use in the motion;

(iv) a reconciliation between the estimated amounts to be paid into the Welsh Consolidated Fund by the Secretary of State and the amounts to be authorised for payment out of the Fund in the motion;

(v) a reconciliation between the resources to be authorised under section 125(1)(a) and (b) of the Act and the amounts to be authorised for payment out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund under section 125(1)(c); and

(vi) details of any revisions to the information provided in accordance with Standing Orders 20.7 – 20.7B for the draft budget, as specified in the protocol agreed under the Standing Order 20.1A

The following additional information has been made available to Members:

- a note explaining the main changes from previous plans.

Supporting documents

Report of the Finance Committee

Report of the Llywydd’s Committee

The item started at 15.03

Voting on the motion under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

NDM8493 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 20.30, approves the Second Supplementary Budget for the financial year 2023-24 laid in the Table Office on Tuesday, 20 February 2024.

Footnote:

In accordance with the relevant provisions contained in the Government of Wales Act 2006 and Standing Order 20, the Supplementary Budget comprises the following information:

(i) the written statement required under section 125(3) of the Government of Wales Act;

(ii) the resources agreed by the Treasury for the Welsh block budget for the financial year covered by the motion;

(iii) a reconciliation between the resources allocated to the Welsh block budget by the Treasury and the resources to be authorised for use in the motion;

(iv) a reconciliation between the estimated amounts to be paid into the Welsh Consolidated Fund by the Secretary of State and the amounts to be authorised for payment out of the Fund in the motion;

(v) a reconciliation between the resources to be authorised under section 125(1)(a) and (b) of the Act and the amounts to be authorised for payment out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund under section 125(1)(c); and

(vi) details of any revisions to the information provided in accordance with Standing Orders 20.7 – 20.7B for the draft budget, as specified in the protocol agreed under the Standing Order 20.1A

The following additional information has been made available to Members:

 - a note explaining the main changes from previous plans.

The result was as follows:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
27	23	1	51

The motion was agreed.

 

To ask the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership

Sioned Williams (South Wales West): Will the Minister make a statement on the decision for Mid and West Wales and North Wales fire and rescue services to carry out independent reviews into their culture and values?

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services

Mabon ap Gwynfor (Dwyfor Meirionnydd): What assessment has the Minister made of emergency medical retrieval and transfer service provision in mid and north Wales, following reports that a recommendation has been made to close Caernarfon and Welshpool Air Ambulance bases?

The item started at 15.29

Answered by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership

Sioned Williams (South Wales West): Will the Minister make a statement on the decision for Mid and West Wales and North Wales fire and rescue services to carry out independent reviews into their culture and values?

Answered by the Minister for Health and Social Services

Mabon ap Gwynfor (Dwyfor Meirionnydd): What assessment has the Minister made of emergency medical retrieval and transfer service provision in mid and north Wales, following reports that a recommendation has been made to close Caernarfon and Welshpool Air Ambulance bases?

The item started at 15.55

Huw Irranca-Davies made a statement on - Swallowing Awareness Day (13 March)

Mike Hedges made a statement on – World Kidney Day (14^th March)

David Rees made a statement on - Tribute to Tassia Haines, a campaigner for better metastatic breast cancer services who led a Senedd petition.

NDM8516 Mark Isherwood (North Wales)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee on its inquiry, Regenerating Town Centres, which was laid in the Table Office on 25 January 2024.

The item started at 16.02

NDM8516 Mark Isherwood (North Wales)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee on its inquiry, Regenerating Town Centres, which was laid in the Table Office on 25 January 2024.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8518 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Welcomes the UK Government’s 2024 Budget, a plan for long term growth, which will see:

a) national insurance contributions cut by 2p, saving the average Welsh worker £450 a year;

b) £168 million of additional Barnett consequential funding for Wales;

c) £160 million purchase of the Wylfa site;

d) £20 million of funding for Rhyl as part of the Long Term Plan for Towns;

e) £10 million of funding to Venue Cymru in Llandudno;

f) £5 million of funding for cultural facilities in Newport;

g) £5 million of funding to launch an agri-food launchpad in partnership between Welsh Government and Ceredigion Council; and

h) £1.6 million of funding towards the redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd in Mold.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that:

a) the Chancellor has announced the 2024 UK Government Budget;

b) real wage growth and GDP per capita has increased at its lowest rate since the Second World War under this UK Government; and

c) tax as a proportion of GDP has increased to its highest level since 1948 under this UK Government.

2. Regrets:

a) that this Westminster Parliament will be the first in modern history to oversee a fall in household disposable income and living standards;

b) the failure to uprate the personal allowance threshold in line with inflation, which will leave low-income households worse off and entrench income inequalities;

c) that day-to-day spending for unprotected UK Government departments is set to fall by 13 per cent over the next five years, which will have a direct impact on Wales in areas such as justice;

d) that Canary Wharf is set to receive £240 million in Levelling Up Funds, whilst the Welsh Government is set to receive only £170 million; and

e) that neither the UK Conservative Party nor the UK Labour Party have committed to a fair funding deal for Wales, nor to provide Wales with its share of HS2 consequentials.

3. Believes that:

a) Wales's potential is being stifled by a lack of proper investment in our beleaguered public services and dilapidated infrastructure; and

b) the 2024 UK Government Budget utterly fails to address the priorities and needs of the people of Wales.

If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be de-selected.

Amendment 2 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Regrets that the UK Government Spring Budget 2024:

a) provides no additional resource funding for the Welsh Government, other than that already factored into its spending plans;

b) leaves the Welsh Government’s settlement for 2024-25 up to £700 million lower in real terms than expected at the time of the 2021 Spending Review;

c) provides no additional capital funding for the Welsh Government, leaving its general capital budget in 2024-25 up to 8 per cent less in real terms than expected at the time of the Spending Review in 2021;

d) ignores the Welsh Government’s core asks of UK Government investment in coal tip safety and the re-classification of HS2, including provision of the £270 million Wales will have missed out on by the end of the current spending period; and

e) fails to provide targeted support to those on the lowest incomes.

2. Further regrets that:

a) the personal tax rises introduced by this UK Government from its previous decision to freeze thresholds are larger than the tax reductions announced in the 2024 Spring budget and 2023 Autumn Statement combined, and twice as large by 2028-29;

b) the UK Government's overall spending totals imply no real growth in public spending per person over the next five years, with no credible plan to deliver the level of public spending they have outlined;

c) UK living standards are expected to experience six years lost growth, only returning to pre-pandemic levels in 2025, as measured by gross household disposable income per head; and

d) the UK Government’s levelling up policies leave Wales with less say over less money, while bypassing and actively undermining devolution and this Senedd.

The item started at 17.01

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM8518 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Welcomes the UK Government’s 2024 Budget, a plan for long term growth, which will see:

a) national insurance contributions cut by 2p, saving the average Welsh worker £450 a year;

b) £168 million of additional Barnett consequential funding for Wales;

c) £160 million purchase of the Wylfa site;

d) £20 million of funding for Rhyl as part of the Long Term Plan for Towns;

e) £10 million of funding to Venue Cymru in Llandudno;

f) £5 million of funding for cultural facilities in Newport;

g) £5 million of funding to launch an agri-food launchpad in partnership between Welsh Government and Ceredigion Council; and

h) £1.6 million of funding towards the redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd in Mold.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
14	0	37	51

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that:

a) the Chancellor has announced the 2024 UK Government Budget;

b) real wage growth and GDP per capita has increased at its lowest rate since the Second World War under this UK Government; and

c) tax as a proportion of GDP has increased to its highest level since 1948 under this UK Government.

2. Regrets:

a) that this Westminster Parliament will be the first in modern history to oversee a fall in household disposable income and living standards;

b) the failure to uprate the personal allowance threshold in line with inflation, which will leave low-income households worse off and entrench income inequalities;

c) that day-to-day spending for unprotected UK Government departments is set to fall by 13 per cent over the next five years, which will have a direct impact on Wales in areas such as justice;

d) that Canary Wharf is set to receive £240 million in Levelling Up Funds, whilst the Welsh Government is set to receive only £170 million; and

e) that neither the UK Conservative Party nor the UK Labour Party have committed to a fair funding deal for Wales, nor to provide Wales with its share of HS2 consequentials.

3. Believes that:

a) Wales's potential is being stifled by a lack of proper investment in our beleaguered public services and dilapidated infrastructure; and

b) the 2024 UK Government Budget utterly fails to address the priorities and needs of the people of Wales.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	0	40	51

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Regrets that the UK Government Spring Budget 2024:

a) provides no additional resource funding for the Welsh Government, other than that already factored into its spending plans;

b) leaves the Welsh Government’s settlement for 2024-25 up to £700 million lower in real terms than expected at the time of the 2021 Spending Review;

c) provides no additional capital funding for the Welsh Government, leaving its general capital budget in 2024-25 up to 8 per cent less in real terms than expected at the time of the Spending Review in 2021;

d) ignores the Welsh Government’s core asks of UK Government investment in coal tip safety and the re-classification of HS2, including provision of the £270 million Wales will have missed out on by the end of the current spending period; and

e) fails to provide targeted support to those on the lowest incomes.

2. Further regrets that:

a) the personal tax rises introduced by this UK Government from its previous decision to freeze thresholds are larger than the tax reductions announced in the 2024 Spring budget and 2023 Autumn Statement combined, and twice as large by 2028-29;

b) the UK Government's overall spending totals imply no real growth in public spending per person over the next five years, with no credible plan to deliver the level of public spending they have outlined;

c) UK living standards are expected to experience six years lost growth, only returning to pre-pandemic levels in 2025, as measured by gross household disposable income per head; and

d) the UK Government’s levelling up policies leave Wales with less say over less money, while bypassing and actively undermining devolution and this Senedd.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
37	0	14	51

Amendment 2 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM8518 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Regrets that the UK Government Spring Budget 2024:

a) provides no additional resource funding for the Welsh Government, other than that already factored into its spending plans;

b) leaves the Welsh Government’s settlement for 2024-25 up to £700 million lower in real terms than expected at the time of the 2021 Spending Review;

c) provides no additional capital funding for the Welsh Government, leaving its general capital budget in 2024-25 up to 8 per cent less in real terms than expected at the time of the Spending Review in 2021;

d) ignores the Welsh Government’s core asks of UK Government investment in coal tip safety and the re-classification of HS2, including provision of the £270 million Wales will have missed out on by the end of the current spending period; and

e) fails to provide targeted support to those on the lowest incomes.

2. Further regrets that:

a) the personal tax rises introduced by this UK Government from its previous decision to freeze thresholds are larger than the tax reductions announced in the 2024 Spring budget and 2023 Autumn Statement combined, and twice as large by 2028-29;

b) the UK Government's overall spending totals imply no real growth in public spending per person over the next five years, with no credible plan to deliver the level of public spending they have outlined;

c) UK living standards are expected to experience six years lost growth, only returning to pre-pandemic levels in 2025, as measured by gross household disposable income per head; and

d) the UK Government’s levelling up policies leave Wales with less say over less money, while bypassing and actively undermining devolution and this Senedd.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
37	0	14	51

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

NDM8519 Vikki Howells (Cynon Valley)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Considers the Report of the Standards of Conduct Committee - Ninth report to the Sixth Senedd laid before the Senedd on 6 March 2024 in accordance with Standing Order 22.9.

2. Endorses the recommendation in the report that a breach has been found.

3. Resolves that the Member shall be excluded from any Senedd proceedings under Standing Order 22.10(iii) for a period of 42 days, excluding days while the Senedd is in recess, commencing with the passing of this motion and ending no later than midnight on 15 May 2024.

4. Notes that the Member shall not be entitled to any salary from the Senedd in respect of the days to which point 3 applies, in accordance with Standing Order 22.10A.

The item started at 17.57

NDM8519 Vikki Howells (Cynon Valley)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Considers the Report of the Standards of Conduct Committee - Ninth report to the Sixth Senedd laid before the Senedd on 6 March 2024 in accordance with Standing Order 22.9.

2. Endorses the recommendation in the report that a breach has been found.

3. Resolves that the Member shall be excluded from any Senedd proceedings under Standing Order 22.10(iii) for a period of 42 days, excluding days while the Senedd is in recess, commencing with the passing of this motion and ending no later than midnight on 15 May 2024.

4. Notes that the Member shall not be entitled to any salary from the Senedd in respect of the days to which point 3 applies, in accordance with Standing Order 22.10A.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

The item started at 18.09

 

NDM8515 Hefin David (Caerphilly)

Mobile phone use in schools in Wales: the challenges for teachers and learners

The item started at 18.12

NDM8515 Hefin David (Caerphilly)

Mobile phone use in schools in Wales: the challenges for teachers and learners