National Assembly for Wales

The Superfast Cymru scheme has facilitated the roll-out of superfast broadband access to over 142,000 homes and businesses across the region, delivering average speeds of over 91.6 Mbps and investing over £40.3 million.  

The Superfast Cymru scheme has, to date, facilitated the roll-out of superfast broadband access to over 215,000 homes and businesses across the region, delivering average speeds of over 87 Mbps and investing over £60 million.  

The annual report that I laid in the Assembly last month outlines the huge progress in delivering the commitments in our national strategy. Our delivery framework will be published before recess and this outlines the actions already achieved and our forward plan for the next three years.

Through the Superfast Cymru scheme, we have invested over £55 million in broadband telecommunications throughout mid and west Wales. We are also working closely with mobile network operators and the Westminster Government to secure even greater future investment in mobile infrastructure throughout the region.

The Welsh Government has been clear that UK withdrawal from the EU should in no way lead to a dilution in human rights protections. We are currently assessing the effect of losing access to the charter rights, and what remedial action, if any, is required to mitigate impact in Wales.

The first phase of the gender equality rapid review reported last week. This report is a direct and significant challenge to us. It provides areas for action in phase two that we can move forward on immediately and others that will need further exploration. Phase two will begin shortly.

Welsh Government procurement processes are governed by the public contracts regulations, Wales procurement policy statement and the well-being of future generations Act. These are considered in all it’s procurement activity in order to deliver value for money whilst seeking to maximise impact in Wales, such as community benefits and sustainability.

Since February, many UK and international cities and countries have been considering tourism taxes—most recently in Edinburgh and New Zealand. A number of significant policy issues will require further exploration before introducing any local permissive powers. This will consequently be a longer term piece of work.

The Wales infrastructure investment plan sets out investment of over £6.5 billion in infrastructure across Wales over the remainder of the current Assembly term, including the twenty-first century schools and education programme and the Grange University Hospital.

The Welsh Government's new policy paper sets out the need for a new, rules-based framework for funding and fiscal equalisation when the UK leaves the EU. Above all, the promise that Wales will not lose out as a result of Brexit must be fulfilled.

Annual budget rounds include a series of bilateral discussions, with each Cabinet Secretary. Revenue and capital resources to support priorities within the health and social services portfolio and the local government and public services portfolio, including social care, form part of those discussions.

The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring public spending is informed by robust evidence, and value for money is considered throughout policy development.

We have repeatedly raised the importance of transitional arrangements with the UK Government through the JMC and continue to make clear to the UK Government that a 'no deal' outcome would be catastrophic for Wales and the UK as a  whole.