2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:28 pm on 30 January 2024.

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Photo of Darren Millar Darren Millar Conservative 2:28, 30 January 2024

Can I call for two statements today, please, Trefnydd, the first on the future of our high streets in Wales? Many town centres have been struggling in recent years. We know that the competition presented by online retailers and out-of-town developments, with their free parking opportunities, has made it tough doing business, sometimes, in our town centres. And, of course, the latest impact of the reduction in business rate relief is causing many businesses in my Constituency to get in touch to say that that could be make or break for them. I do think that we need to ensure that there's more discussion on the future of our town centres, how we can make sure that they are vibrant in the future, and I wonder whether we could have a statement so that we can have an engagement and a discussion on this on a cross-party basis to see what might be done to protect them.

Secondly, can I call for a statement on whether Transport for Wales represents value for money for Welsh taxpayers? We know that £125 million was recently awarded to Transport for Wales, in spite of there apparently being no business case for that ever having been published, and in spite of it not having been part of the Welsh Government's budget arrangements for last year. It's been brought to my attention by a constituent that Transport for Wales recently spent £5,500—I know it's a small sum in relative terms—wrapping a train in a 'Made in Wales' advertising slogan and sign. Now, clearly, that is unnecessary discretionary expenditure at taxpayers' expense, and I wonder what else is going on that's being wastefully spent by Transport for Wales without there being a proper business case around it.

So, I would appreciate a statement from the Minister on Transport for Wales, on why these significant sums are being given to that organisation when it seems to be able to spend frivolously on that sort of advertising.

Minister

Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.

constituency

In a general election, each Constituency chooses an MP to represent them. MPs have a responsibility to represnt the views of the Constituency in the House of Commons. There are 650 Constituencies, and thus 650 MPs. A citizen of a Constituency is known as a Constituent