³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

The thirty-fifth – and final - FMQs of 2023 comes to a close.

Thanks for following - join us again in the new year.

Nadolig Llawen/Merry Christmas!

Labour MS Mike Hedges says "in the twenty-first century we live in a culture of subsidy capitalism. Be it farming, leisure facilities, festivals or buses, they want subsidies to pad out their bottom line.

"We know from published data that in 2023 the First Group adjusted operating profit increased to £100.6 million. We also know bus services have significantly reduced in Swansea, with travel times to work and college being affected, although some have now been returned.

"From government-published data we know that £52.8 million has been given to bus companies this year. How will the bus Bill help with that much-needed reform so that people can get around by bus?"

The first minister replies, "He points directly to one of the reasons why the bus Bill is so important - because these are private companies. They make profits out of the public money that is invested in them, and the public has a legitimate right to be assured that the money spent on their behalf is being directed to service provision rather than at an unfair rate, when that happens, to the bottom line of the company itself.

"Now, the bus Bill, when it is introduced, will ensure that public services provided by bus companies are run with the public interest at heart, and that will be a fundamental shift in the way that these services are provided and designed through our local authorities. It will reverse the enormous damage done by bus deregulation, which has allowed the pursuit of private profit at the expense of the public interest."

Image source, Welsh government

The statistics on tourism in Wales are "frightening" and "dire" says Conservative Gareth Davies.

He says "the latest figures on international inbound visits to Wales show that, between January to June 2023, there were 403,000 fewer visits to Wales, down 12 per cent on the same period in 2019. Simultaneously, the amount of money that visitors spent in Wales dropped an eye-watering 24 per cent from 2019".

The first minister replies that tourism in Wales is a "success story" and that his government takes "steps to lengthen the tourism season in Wales, to encourage visitors to enjoy the wider range of attractions we have to offer, and to spend more money".

Image source, Getty Images

"Primary care is under pressure in all parts of Wales" says the first minister.

"Yet across the country more than 1.5 million contacts with the service take place every month. Diversification of the workforce has been key to sustaining primary care in an era of prolonged austerity."

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth asks "given that the conflict in the accounts of Tonia Antoniazzi and the deputy minister [Dawn Bowden] are today what they were almost a year and a half ago and that there have been requests for action to be taken to get at the truth for many, many months, why on earth has it taken until now for this to be referred in this way?"

Mr Drakeford replies that he has launched an investigation into whether his sports minister breached the ministerial code now because "there have been some fresh views expressed by the Member of Parliament for Gower [Tonia Antoniazzi]. And, having expressed those views, I've taken action".

The WRU apologised earlier this year after a report found sexism and racism was not properly challenged.

It was produced in the wake of a ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Wales documentary said that a former boss at Welsh women's rugby said she considered suicide because of the organisation's culture.

Ms Antoniazzi had raised concerns about issues within the WRU in March 2022 both in the House of Commons and directly with the deputy minister, Dawn Bowden.

Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, refers to the call from a Labour MP for the Welsh government’s sport minister to consider resigning over how she handled the Welsh Rugby Union sexism scandal.

He points out that Tonia Antoniazzi has accused Dawn Bowden of a "cynical attempt to rewrite history" in a ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ interview where the minister defended her actions.

First Minister Mark Drakeford replies that he has launched an investigation into whether Dawn Bowden has broken the ministerial code.

He says Ms Bowden had requested the probe and that a civil servant would carry out the investigation.

Mr Drakeford says the WRU "has a lot to prove still, but I think it has made a start on that journey".

He says it was "the deputy minister who regarded the allegations made against her to be so serious that she wished her name to be cleared, or not, depending on what the investigation concludes".

The investigation would be carried out in the first instance by the director of ethics, Mr Drakeford says, who is David Richards.

Mr Drakeford adds he will not set a timetable for the investigation.

The first minister says the Chancellor’s autumn statement is "a return to full-blown austerity".

Budget mitigation is "ever more difficult" he says.

Among the plans announced by UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, National Insurance paid by employees will be cut from 12% to 10%, taking effect from 6 January, and the National Living Wage would rise from £10.42 to £11.44 per hour from April next year.

Image source, Getty Images

Llywydd Elin Jones conducts a ballot to determine the names of members who may table questions to the first minister and Welsh ministers. Each member may enter their name into a ballot.

Plaid Cymru MS Mabon ap Gwynfor seeks an update on the viability of public bus services in his Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituency.

First Minister Mark Drakeford responds that "bus services are under pressure everywhere. Fewer passengers means less revenue to support the bus route network. But, in the Dwyfor Meirionnydd area, Gwynedd council will establish a new T22 service early in 2024, which will improve connections between Porthmadog, Blaenau Ffestiniog and Caernarfon."

Mabon ap Gwynfor says, "I visited an employer who has had to close in Blaenau Ffestiniog recently. The pay a good wage, bearing in mind the wages in the sector, and they have other work places in north Wales too.

"But, unfortunately, the experienced and talented workforce that they currently have in Blaenau Ffestiniog can't find alternative employment, because they don't have another way to reach those work places. They don't have private vehicles, and no buses travel on time to take them to other parts of north Wales. The lack of buses is having a direct impact on our economy, and leading to other issues, such as social problems and mental health issues too."

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the final session of First Minister's Questions in 2023.

The meeting is held in a hybrid format, with some members in the Siambr (Senedd chamber) and others joining by video-conference.

You can click on the play button above to watch the proceedings from 1.30pm.