Found: Ref: 056MISC25 Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP Secretary of State for Wales Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru

Found: Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:  The UK Government is working with the Welsh Government

Found: Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: Our landmark trade deal with India will boost jobs and

Found: Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:   We are making the UK a clean energy superpower while

Found: Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens said:   This investment in defence will bring a real boost

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Found: offered hospitality Type of Hospitality Received Accompanied by Guest Value of Hospitality (£) Jo Stevens

Found: Given or Received Who gift was given to or received from Value (£) Outcome (Received gifts only) Jo Stevens

Found: Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: The UK Government is laser-focused on delivering economic

<p>Thank&nbsp;you again for your response, Cabinet Secretary. I know too well some of those challenges that council leaders have in balancing those books and, you're right, far too many promises can be made by those at times seeking election.</p>
<p>Talking of fantasy finances, we heard from Plaid Cymru again their pursuit of independence from the United Kingdom. It was interesting to hear the Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, pointing to the tax burden that would cause on people here in Wales, if Plaid Cymru's promise of independence was pursued further than it is to date. Jo Stevens pointed out that £21 billion tax annually would have to be found here in Wales—that's £11,000 per person per year here in Wales. What would be your assessment, Cabinet Secretary, if Plaid Cymru got their way and had an independent Wales? What would be your assessment both for public services here and our economy? Diolch yn fawr.</p>

<p>Thank you, diolch, Llyr, for raising this, because, for&nbsp;over a decade now, north Wales has been promised a north Wales metro. The £2.1 billion allocated to transform our railway networks is welcome, but it does fall short of what is needed to complete the works. We know £1.1 billion has been spent on the south Wales metro and 36 tram-trains have been stationed in Taff's Well. You just said, First Minister, that next May there will be an increase on the main line—big promises&nbsp;for next May.&nbsp;You may not even be here or your party in Government after May, so I'm not sure you should really be making promises for after next May. North Wales has frequently been left behind, even the Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, has cast doubt over your own funding for the electrification of the north Wales line, which was a commitment by our UK Conservative Government. This, along with a lack of HS2 funding, should rightly be allocated to Wales. Does the Cabinet Secretary—First Minister, even—agree with me that funding should be provided by both the Welsh and UK Governments? Now, you were all talk before the last election that the UK Government should be doing this. You're not doing it. When are you going to start? And can I have an update on the north Wales metro? Diolch.</p>

<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">is a core principle for us here.</span> Health and dentistry, which is an important part of health provision, isn't a luxury for anyone, it should be a right. Working in partnership is also a core principle. Only if there are changes to a health service developed in real collaboration with those providing care on the front line can that be successful. And finally, I believe in accountability. The Government has a duty to be transparent on the decisions that it makes. So, in setting that context, I want to turn to the proposed dental changes.</p>
<p>There are things to be welcomed. The fact that people with good oral health will not be sent to the DAP is a good thing. The higher fee is also to be welcomed, although the costs of dentists have increased significantly as a result of increases in national insurance contributions introduced by the Labour Government in London. So, I welcome the shift that's taken place on the initial starting point. And, of course, there's recognition that the current framework is failing.</p>
<p>Now, exactly a year ago today, Jo Stevens said that the Labour Westminster Government, and I quote, would take inspiration from dentistry in Wales, but today we hear the Cabinet Secretary here saying that the dental contracts are not fit for purpose. I welcome this recognition, but the Government was warned of this at least six years ago. We have therefore lost six years, and the result of that is that dozens of dentists have handed their NHS contracts back and patients have suffered, and there's more pressure on our community dentists and A&amp;E departments as a result of this.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Thank you very much, Llywydd. It's exactly a year, First Minister, since the Labour Governments in the UK and Wales announced what they called a cross-border health plan, which would, according to Jo Stevens, the Secretary of State for Wales, lead to more surgical procedures. Can the First Minister provide an update on this programme and how many more patients from Wales have been treated in England over the past 12 months?</p>