Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford has told the people of Wales that there are reasons to hope for the future of Wales as we head into 2023.
With skyrocketing prices on basic goods and interest rate rises hitting those with mortgages things are tough for many in Wales. Add that the NHS under extreme pressure, climate change and the perils of an escalating war in Ukraine and it is easy to feel a sense of despair.
In a wide ranging interview with WalesOnline Mark Drakeford said that he believes he has an "absolute responsibility" to find ways in which people can face the future. "What you cannot do is just bury your head in your hands and feel a sense of despair about things," he said. "I genuinely do believe that the fundamental things in Wales are the things that do give you that ability to feel optimistic about the future because we go on achieving so much by the way in which we mobilise collective action to solve common problems in Wales."
