Speeches by Davies.

“Extending the warm home discount to all households that receive means-tested benefits could make a difference to many, especially those who have not received their winter fuel payment this winter. However, £150 off will not go far enough to help the 56% of adults in Wales likely to ration their energy over the next thr…”

“I can assure you that we are very much bringing this to the attention of the Treasury—with little effect at the moment, but we will keep plugging. As you keep plugging about the train investment, we will keep plugging about inheritance tax.”

“Diolch, Prif Weinidog, hefyd. The figures for the number of Welsh farmers impacted by the inheritance tax changes are disputed. We have the Treasury coming out at about 25%, FUW—the Farmers’ Union of Wales—at 93%, NFU Cymru at 75% and an independent firm of accountants in west Wales at 90%. All are way over the Treasur…”

“Wales’s creative industry is a cornerstone of our culture and economy. It generated £3.8 billion in the last financial year—5.3% of our GDP—and much of that success relies on strong copyright protections. Creatives must be paid when their work is used, including for AI training. Too often creative data is being scraped…”

“I declare an interest in the agricultural question, as a tenanted dairy farmer.”

“If I may follow up, the SFS—the sustainable farming scheme—is an important policy change. How can Welsh Government biodiversity, carbon capture and net zero targets be met with fewer farmers on the land, in addition to the catastrophic economic effect in swathes of rural Wales if this tax policy is implemented? Remembe…”

“That is fantastic; thank you.”

“We will perhaps catch up outside this forum. Diolch yn fawr.”

“No, but in fairness, I did not know or we did not know as a Committee until Stephen Kinnock sent us a letter—that is out in the public domain—that the Welsh Government follow exactly the same drugs tariff as is followed in England. None of us here knew that until Stephen Kinnock brought it to our attention. That should…”

“That would be great. Do you think the Welsh Government are transparent enough in how the drugs tariff works in Wales?”

“Absolutely.”

“Those are not the examples that I have had, but perhaps that is something that I need to follow up with you outside this forum, if that is okay.”

“You have touched on community pharmacy funding before. Pharmacies are integral to our communities, as you have already noted in answer to a previous question. However, every community pharmacy in my constituency of Caerfyrddin notes that the drugs tariff does not work for them, with examples of repayment of £2.50 per d…”

“DrMz, a youth organisation in Caerfyrddin, provides a safe space for diverse young people. The young farmers’ clubs also provide life skills that are used in public office, including public speaking, the arts and chairing meetings, for young people in our rural communities. Children’s services are devolved in Wales, bu…”

“Well, business and the local economy, because both are intrinsically linked.”

“Carmarthenshire county council secured half a million pounds through the UK shared prosperity fund in August 2024 to carry out improvement works in Carmarthen town centre, along with match funding improvements in ten of our rural market towns. That money is being used to repair pavements, improve car park entrances and…”

“I have a quick comment. I think the Smart Towns system is working well. There is so much information that we can get from that across the whole of Wales, which helps businesses tailor their opening times. Knowing exactly when that footfall is coming into your town is so important, isn’t it? I know you have touched on t…”

“The reason I ask is because as part of our pack it shows that most of our trade is with Europe, not the US. We tend to look elsewhere, but most of our trade is on our doorstep. That is the simple reason why I asked. Diolch yn fawr.”

“My second question was about jobs but that has already been answered by Dr Jones, so I will throw a bit of a curve ball here towards you. I hope you do not mind, Chair. Do you think that being part of the customs union would help businesses in Holyhead and secure the Port of Holyhead? Yes or no, it does not have to be …”

“In Wales, rugby is of course a part of our culture and national identity, and international tournaments such as the Six Nations are an integral part of our national calendar. Caerfyrddin, my constituency, has produced a plethora of first-class players. There are far too many to name, although perhaps I should drop in o…”