Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:55 pm on 16 July 2024.
Sam Rowlands
Conservative
5:55,
16 July 2024
I move Amendment 2 in the name of my colleague Darren Millar and thank Rebecca Evans for standing in place of the First Minister today, to speak to the report in front of us. It's quite a day to be discussing the Welsh Government's priorities. Unfortunately, Welsh Labour's most recent priority seems to have been back-stabbing and in-fighting instead of delivering for the people of Wales. This annual report, whilst highlighting the seemingly many good things that are happening across Wales, unfortunately seeks to gloss over and ignore many of the issues that the people of Wales face as a result of a tired Welsh Government who have been in power for far too long. We have to hope that 2026 brings change, because the people of Wales desperately need that change.
They face the highest NHS waiting times on record and the lowest pay packets in the UK. They face the worst education outcomes and sky-high ambulance waits. When we look at these significant metrics, it's clear that Wales is being held back by a Cardiff Labour Government. Any Government worth its salt will do all it can to reverse those woeful statistics, whereas health, education, the economy, transport, rural affairs—the list goes on of policy areas that have been ignored because Labour Ministers are too focused on themselves and their psychodrama here.
Whilst I always acknowledge the incredible efforts made by so many in our health service, as the Shadow health Minister, I'm far too regularly contacted by residents, health workers, charities and other organisations about the poor experience that too many people that we represent are facing. Sick people are languishing on waiting lists or waiting an age for an ambulance after they suffer a terrible fall. Doctors, nurses and others are operating in crumbling hospitals, and don't get the funding they need to deliver for patients. It's a laser-like focus on these issues that should be the priority of this Welsh Government.
Indeed, the Minister talked about giving children the best possible chance in her opening remarks, but, sadly, they're taking decisions that make the chances of children even worse, especially when we look at education. The Institute for Fiscal Studies' research shows the performance of disadvantaged children in England is actually either above or similar to the average for all children in Wales. So, if you're a disadvantaged child in England, you're probably going to do better than an average child here in Wales. This is directly thanks to the mismanagement from Labour here in Cardiff Bay, including chronic underfunding and a poor implementation of an experimental curriculum that refuses to place a priority on academic rigour.
So, not only are children here being failed, but Labour have presided over a historic brain drain. There are so many talented Welsh individuals, but many young people feel they have no choice but to leave the country. That is intolerable and needs to change. When you look at the economy, it's not difficult to see why this brain drain is happening. The Welsh Government presided over the highest economic inactivity rates in the United Kingdom and the smallest pay packets. Along with the highest business rates in Britain, this Government has stymied the potential of the Welsh people and is holding our country back.
Now, maybe a new First Minister—perhaps Rebecca Evans, who is standing in his place here today—will change direction, but, sadly, I doubt it, because everyone in the Labour group has supported this failed orthodoxy that has held the people of Wales back for far too long. They are all responsible. So, I call on all Senedd Members to back our motion today, which will start the process of rejuvenating Wales's public services and give Wales the leadership it deserves. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Of a male MP, sitting on his regular seat in the House. For females, "in her place".
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.
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