By Mark Isherwood, MS for North Wales

Speaking in the Welsh Parliament Debate on the Welsh Government's 2021-22 Draft Budget, I emphasised the need for a recovery plan in the wake of Coronavirus which delivers jobs, skills and infrastructure in every corner of Wales, and expressed concern that this Draft Budget fails to provide the much needed financial revolution required to deliver this.

I challenged the First Minister over Covid vaccination standby lists, after receiving reports from constituents of people not in the national priority groups being offered the jab in North Wales, and questioned the Education Minister over educational provision available to autistic pupils whose parents are finding it difficult to home school during the pandemic.

Speaking in three debates on the final stages of the Welsh Government's Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill, I put forward amendments which would have specified what situation the pandemic needs to be in before the First Minister could formally request a delay to the Welsh General Election due to take place on May 6, and prevented the election being postponed more than once and for as long as six months. These and every other measure I proposed were defeated. It is both regrettable and concerning that this emergency Bill was approved as now drafted.

Responding to the Health Minister's Statement on Covid-19 vaccinations, I praised the staff involved in improvements to the rollout in Wales, but expressed concern that there is still a gap between Wales and the rest of the UK when it comes to administering the second dose of the vaccine, and questioned him over vaccinations for the clinically extremely vulnerable group.

Questioning the Finance Minister, I called for support for hostels and bunkhouses across Wales to help them survive the pandemic, for the voluntary sector to be resourced to fulfil its central role in the recovery from the pandemic, and for her to meet the urgent funding needs of hospices in Wales, which have received less generous support than in all other UK nations, despite their continued provision of vital care and services throughout the pandemic.

I co-hosted a joint meeting of the Cross-Party Groups on Human Trafficking and on Violence against Women and Children, attended EYST's 16th Anniversary event, and had meetings with the Head of national fuel poverty charity NEA Cymru, Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Wales, Cancer Research UK (Wales), North Wales Community Health Council, DWP Jobcentre Plus North and Mid Wales District, Anglesey Freeport Steering Group, and Mold's Theatr Clwyd.

Stay safe. If you need my help, email Mark.Isherwood@senedd.wales or call 0300 200 7219.