Oral statement: First Minister's Priorities - May 19

Thank you very much. Llywydd, fellow Members of the Senedd, as we meet for the second time as a Senedd since the election less than two weeks ago, I do hope that my Government's desire to maintain momentum and to get on immediately in making a difference to people's lives is clear for everyone to see.

It was a pleasure to announce my energetic and talented ministerial team over recent days, and I am pleased to say that we have already met to discuss the priorities of this new administration and to receive an update on the impact of the war in the Middle East on the cost of living for Welsh households.

Llywydd, I vowed to lead a Government that would bring new energy, new ideas and new leadership, and I'm pleased that our first week in office has made a clear statement of intent in that regard.10

I was pleased to speak with Prime Minister Keir Starmer last week to set out the importance I place on a constructive relationship with the UK Government, and to press the case for further discussion on how greater devolution and fair funding can improve the lives of the people of Wales, arming us with the tools to take Wales forward.11

As I have emphasised many times, I expect our nation to be treated as an equal partner in those discussions, and for the actions which follow from the UK Government to reflect that in reality, not just in rhetoric. Claiming that this is a union of equals is not enough, because any analysis of the reality leaves such words ringing hollow.12

I want to make early progress on the devolution of justice and policing, the Crown Estate, and developing a fair funding formula, including matters such as rail to tackle the injustice of HS2—all issues which have majority support in this Chamber.13

Llywydd, I was always clear that the Government I would lead would inject pace into the work of turning policy into practice and I'm proud that we are already making progress on our first 100 days plan.14

There is already a strengthened Cabinet Office in place, structured to put a new focus on Government effectiveness and outcomes, fostering greater cohesion between departments, with the common goal of achieving our missions as one. A core team of Ministers have been tasked with ensuring progress on our key priorities and reporting on a regular basis to Cabinet.15

Are the right people in the right places focused on the right things? That's a question neglected for too long, I think, by previous administrations16

Are the right people in the right places focused on the right things? That's a question neglected for too long, I think, by previous administrations. I am therefore grateful to the Permanent Secretary for moving so swiftly to put new, fit for purpose structures in place during these early days to enable us to achieve the best outcomes for the people and communities we serve. Accountability will not be just some abstract buzzword, but rather something we experience as a Government week in, week out.17

I have a number of core missions: cutting waiting lists, raising standards in our schools, creating jobs, supporting businesses, tackling child poverty, helping households with the cost-of-living crisis and standing up for Wales. The Cabinet Minister for Health and Care will begin the work immediately of putting our plan in place to cut waiting lists, but cross-Government, longer term thinking will be a hallmark of this Government. In this case, I have appointed a Deputy Minister with responsibility for public and preventative health, as pledged before the election, reflecting how I see this as a critical priority in ensuring a sustainable future for the NHS. I'll be hosting a summit of all health board chief executives, alongside the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care and the Minister for Finance, to develop a roadmap for a sustainable shift of NHS resources towards primary care.18

Now, too many of our children leave school without the critical skills or qualifications they need and deserve. To raise standards in our schools, our work to improve literacy and numeracy has already started through beginning the development of a foundational literacy and numeracy plan. We will also work with schools, local authorities, parents and children to assess the issues around attendance and behaviour in our schools, improve the delivery of the additional learning needs system, embedding inclusive practice for all children and young people. 19

To create jobs and support businesses, we will focus on growing stronger Welsh firms, increasing the number of medium-sized and large businesses that can scale, export and retain value in Wales. At the same time, we seek to make energy a competitive advantage, ensuring power is reliable, affordable and increasingly clean, supporting investment and long-term job creation. That is why I have established a new economic portfolio focused on enterprise, energy and connectivity, with community always at its core. We want a Welsh economy that is fit for the twenty-first century, proudly Welsh, outward looking, strong and competitive. And we will strengthen economic connectivity, making it easier for people to access jobs and for businesses to reach suppliers and markets. This includes improving links across all regions, including the Valleys, the north, rural Wales, so that growth and opportunity are more evenly shared.20

To tackle child poverty, we'll work with partners to develop a new plan setting clear targets, benchmarks, milestones to drive ambitious but deliverable change. Our new transformational childcare offer will be the most generous in the history of devolution and the UK, helping boost household incomes and helping to lift families out of poverty. At full roll-out, 20 hours of funded childcare per week, for 48 weeks a year, for all children aged nine months to four years. And we will introduce Cynnal, piloting a new weekly payment targeted at families with children under six who are already receiving universal credit, to provide direct financial support to those who need it most, and making the case for the devolution of welfare powers to be able to help the most vulnerable. To help households with the cost-of-living crisis, we'll expand access to free school meals to secondary school pupils from families in receipt of universal credit from September, supporting students' learning, giving families one less cost to worry about.21

Through growing and sustaining Welsh-owned businesses, developing and delivering good jobs, reviving our town centres we'll boost living standards. We'll improve the quality and energy efficiency of Welsh housing to improve living standards, tackle fuel poverty, and reduce household carbon emissions.22

On our seriousness about standing up for Wales at every opportunity, I've already used my first conversations with the UK Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Wales to press the case for fair funding and powers. And we have agreed that a first in-person meeting with the Prime Minister should take place in the coming weeks.23

We only need to glance at the latest Westminster crisis to see how soon 24

to see how soon Governments pay a heavy price when they stray from the path they promised to take.25

My pledge to the people of Wales is that we will not waver, because, by realising these priorities, we are building the nation people deserve. I will never stop pursuing fair treatment for my nation—on funding, the full benefits of our natural resources, and the powers we need to improve people's lives. Many have waited a long time for this moment, and, with a deep sense of gratitude and humility, I fully intend to reward their patience and trust by doing what I set out to do as First Minister.

Llywydd, I have no intention of forgetting the value and power of words. I am here to honour the promises that I have made to the people of Wales, and I know that I am speaking on behalf of the whole Government when I say that. The path will not always be smooth and without obstruction, but we will face the challenges together, with the aim of saying that we have always done our best for Wales.

I am conscious that we are merely custodians as we work in the pursuit of an ideal that we hope will long outlive any of us here—the betterment of the nation we love. A new administration with a new approach—one that inspires us to move with a new energy and renewed pace to turn aspirations into outcomes for the benefit of everyone who calls Wales home. Diolch yn fawr iawn.