Is the Welsh Government spending money in the right areas? That's the question the National Assembly’s Finance Committee is asking of people as it examines the Welsh Government's draft budget for 2017-18.
The draft budget sets out how the government intends to spend £15 billion pounds over the next financial year.
It identifies priorities and major projects, and is supposed to address the needs of people in Wales across health, education, the environment, transport and all of the other areas of responsibility devolved to Wales.
Next year's budget is overshadowed by the prospect of Brexit, with the UK Government set to trigger Article 50 and begin the two-year process of leaving the EU.
In its draft budget announced on Tuesday 18 October the Welsh Government set out its key spending areas for 2017-2018:
Revenue plus Capital DEL* by department £
Health, Wellbeing and Sport 7.3bn
Local Government 3.4bn
Communities and Children 709m
Economy and Infrastructure 1.3bn
Education 1.6bn
Environment and Rural Affairs 368m
Central Services and Administration 296m
Total 15.0bn
*Departmental Expenditure Limit
“This is perhaps one of the most important budgets the Welsh Government has ever put together,” said Simon Thomas AM, Chair of the Finance Committee.
“With Brexit looming the Welsh Government needs to show that it is addressing the pressing issues of today while demonstrating it is planning for a Wales outside of the EU.
“We are looking for the views and ideas of people in Wales. We want to know whether they think the money is being spent in the right areas and in the right way.
“£15 billion sounds like, and is, a huge amount of money, but with issues surrounding health, education, the environment, transport, the economy and life after Brexit, it is critical that the best possible value is squeezed out of every penny.”
The Finance Committee has set up an online discussion for people to share and debate ideas about the draft budget.
It will also be taking evidence from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and relevant bodies and individuals.
Other National Assembly committees will be scrutinising proposed budgets in their respective areas and reporting their findings back to the Finance Committee.