Steel and manufacturing

Art WrightReform

22 September 2026, Plenary

Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy: Welsh Defence Ethical Framework

Diolch, Lywydd. I must, firstly, declare an interest as a former Ministry of Defence supply chain specialist. Many Welsh defence companies operate several tiers down complex and dual-use supply chains and may have little control over or even knowledge of the eventual end use of the components they…

Tagged from the title of its item or question: “Defence Ethical Framework”Official Record

Adam PricePlaid

22 September 2026, Plenary

Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy: Welsh Defence Ethical Framework

We will, obviously, in developing the detail of the framework, be engaging with companies of all sizes within the sector in order to ensure that, as I said in my statement, the process that we design is proportionate. We recognise the reasonable point that the Member makes, that we cannot apply the…

Tagged from the title of its item or question: “Defence Ethical Framework”Official Record

Gareth ThomasReform

22 September 2026, Plenary

Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy: Welsh Defence Ethical Framework

Minister, you say you don't want to delay or add uncertainty, but forcing businesses through new self-declaration processes risks doing exactly that. We have businesses like IrvinGQ in Llangeinor, working on parachute systems and naval decoys; we have Raplas Technologies in the Vale of Glamorgan…

Tagged from the title of its item or question: “Defence Ethical Framework”Official Record

Adam PricePlaid

22 September 2026, Plenary

Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy: Welsh Defence Ethical Framework

I'm grateful to the Member for her contribution and for reminding us, in the world that we live in, why this is so important, of course. When we have—. We have, in the case of Israel, of course, and in the case of Myanmar, two states where United Nations commissions have found that they have been…

Tagged from the title of its item or question: “Defence Ethical Framework”Official Record

Sarah ReesPlaid

22 September 2026, Plenary

Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy: Welsh Defence Ethical Framework

…to hear that this Welsh Government is committed to taking a different approach, developing this defence ethical framework, which no previous administration has done, establishing a clear and ethical approach to defence and security in Wales grounded in human rights, international law and our…

Tagged for: “defence ethical framework”Official Record

Adam PricePlaid

22 September 2026, Plenary

Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy: Welsh Defence Ethical Framework

…it gives transparency. There is nothing to fear here for the sector. It's not a prohibition of the defence sector. I recognised in my statement that there is an important and legitimate role for the defence sector in the defence of democracy, not least in the uncertain times that we're living in…

Tagged for: “defence sector”Official Record

Janet Finch-SaundersConservative

22 September 2026, Plenary

Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy: Welsh Defence Ethical Framework

…jobs supporting communities across Wales, and I thank each and every one of those working in our defence industry and, indeed, in our defence forces. Yet, just when defence investment is increasing, this Plaid Government has ordered investment decisions involving the sector to now be put on hold.…

Tagged for: “defence industry”Official Record

Adam PricePlaid

22 September 2026, Plenary

Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy: Welsh Defence Ethical Framework

…absolutely important that we will involve trade union partners in the development of the framework. The defence sector, actually, is a highly unionised sector, and I think that ensuring that we have trade union and worker voice in the development of the framework—. And we have to be mindful…

Tagged for: “defence sector”, “advanced manufacturing”, “manufacturing”Official Record

Shav TajLabour

22 September 2026, Plenary

Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy: Welsh Defence Ethical Framework

…that this is about telling people, 'Don't come and invest in Wales.' You're not saying that defence manufacturing jobs are something that your Government would be against. Although defence, I don't think, was mentioned in your programme for government. I don't think that word was there. So, I was a…

Tagged for: “manufacturing”Official Record

Adam PricePlaid

22 September 2026, Plenary

Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy: Welsh Defence Ethical Framework

…nature, you need to have a proper framework in place. Indeed, I have to say, the representatives of the defence sector that I've engaged with have indicated a willingness to engage positively with the development of this framework, because they regard themselves, as individual businesses and a…

Tagged for: “defence sector”Official Record

Jason O'ConnellReform

22 September 2026, Plenary

Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy: Welsh Defence Ethical Framework

…that simply cannot be ignored. Your party has a long record of opposition to significant parts of the defence sector. Now, your Deputy Minister, Mark Hooper, once said that attending an arms fair is indefensible. Your culture Minister described an arms fair as 'a contemptible event', yet thousands…

Tagged for: “defence sector”, “defence industry”Official Record

Adam PricePlaid

22 September 2026, Plenary

Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy: Welsh Defence Ethical Framework

…threats to security in Wales and beyond, Wales can support a strong, innovative and responsible defence sector whilst remaining true to the values that define us as a nation. We can take a balanced and proportionate ethical approach that reflects those values, while continuing to support…

Tagged for: “defence sector”Translated from WelshOfficial Record

Adam PricePlaid

22 September 2026, Plenary

Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy: Welsh Defence Ethical Framework

…an ethical defence investment framework for Wales. The purpose of the framework is not to exclude the defence sector from engagement with the Welsh Government, nor to duplicate UK export controls or licensing arrangements. Rather, it is to provide a consistent basis for Welsh Government decision…

Tagged for: “defence sector”, “semiconductors”, “advanced manufacturing”Official Record