, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Business rates relief has a positive effect on the economy. Our package of support, worth £384 million this year, has reduced or eliminated non-domestic rates liability for more than 100,000 properties. Less than 20 per cent of properties will attract full…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
I thank Joyce Watson for raising this as a question in the Senedd today. As a co-operator, and I know she shares this view as well, the ability to support employees to own the businesses in which they work is a really important part of that vision. And I pay…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Part of Social Business Wales, Employee Ownership Wales, provides fully funded bespoke advice to support employee ownership of businesses. There are now 75 employee-owned businesses in Wales, an increase of 38 since the start of this Senedd term.
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
I don't think there's been any suggestion of that. Our policy as a Government is to support the principle of developing renewable and low-carbon energy from a range of technologies. He will know that from the point of view of planning and consenting, the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
I have not had any discussions with individual developers regarding large-scale wind projects at specific locations in Wales. I continue to engage with the renewable industry, through round-table discussions and through RenewableUK Cymru, to understand the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
I think the Member makes interesting points in relation to the devolution settlement and our capacity to take more decisions on energy here in Wales, which I would support. On the model that he touches on, which I think he described as a sovereign wealth fund…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
I had a very good conversation—an informal conversation, I should say—at that same conference, in fact, with the Crown Estate. I'm hoping to meet with them very shortly to discuss our needs in Wales, and to make sure that, in future leasing rounds, we are…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Let's hope that we do get the result tomorrow, which I very much hope for, and I hope the Member will encourage others to bring about that result as well, so that we can have that more collaborative approach, which I know that both he and I would support. We…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Many of the ways in which we support major events very much have in mind the impact that major events can have on the environment, and we work, often, with those organisations and companies who hold those events, and the venues that host them, in order to…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
I think I'll just draw attention to the stark contrast between the picture the Member describes and the experience that those people who went to see Taylor Swift and to other concerts have been able to share. My Cabinet colleague the Cabinet Secretary for…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
I do support the work that my Cabinet colleague is doing in relation to this and he is working very hard to make sure that he holds accountable those agencies responsible and those who cause the pollution into our rivers and our seas. On his broader point…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Well, I'm as tired as the Member is of hearing the Welsh Conservatives run down Wales. They have no—[Interruption.] They have no—[Interruption.] They have no confidence in our national institutions, and they do not see the approach that a positive Government…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
The Member will know, of course, that the operations of the airport are at arm's length from the Government, as she would expect and I expect would approve of. She is, I think, misguided in her view in relation to the Welsh Government support for the airport…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Cardiff Airport is an essential element of Wales’s economic and transport infrastructure. The Welsh Government is committed to maintaining an airport in Wales because of the benefits it brings to the Welsh economy and its regional supply chain.
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Well, I must be careful not to trespass into my previous Cabinet responsibilities in answering the question. But the Member will know, of course, that the decision that was taken by Qualifications Wales to reform those qualifications has met with the approval…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
I thank Julie Morgan for that further question. I think this is a really good example of genuinely world-leading innovation in Wales, drawing on a commitment from the Government, but also the underlying strengths in our economy and public service. And I think…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
The life sciences sector in Wales has a number of world-class capabilities, and we are supporting its growth in a number of ways, including through the financial support we provide to Life Sciences Hub Wales and the sponsorship of MediWales events such as…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language: Tata Steel
Those discussions are under way and the Member Jenny Rathbone is right to say that we want to make sure, for environmental reasons, that we are able to use scrap steel from within the UK, as far as that is possible, in production in other parts of the UK. I…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language: Tata Steel
I thank Rhianon Passmore for those questions. I know, in the discussions the First Minister and I have had with colleagues in the shadow Cabinet, which we very much hope will be the Cabinet at the end of this week, that the commitments that she is seeking are…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language: Tata Steel
I agree with John Griffiths on that. I think the point he makes about the contribution that steel makes in the industrial strategy is absolutely fundamental. We know of the opportunities there are in Wales around decarbonising our energy supply and making…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language: Tata Steel
I thank Jack Sargeant for that question. He's right: the primary steel-making capacity is absolutely critical for that ambitious future that we all have. And I think he is right to say as well that it's that kind of partnership working, clear channels of…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language: Tata Steel
I thank Sioned Williams for those questions. Yes, what we want to see now is proper engagement and discussions between Tata and the three trade unions. That is what we have the prospect of happening now, with the consequence of the decisions taken on Sunday…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language: Tata Steel
I thank David Rees for the points he's made. I absolutely agree with him. Primary steel-making capacity is at the heart of what we want to see as investment right across the UK economy with a new Government—in steel specifically, but also in our…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language: Tata Steel
I take the rhetorical force of the Member’s argument, but I think in reality we’ve got to engage with the situation that workers are facing on the ground. I get the point that he makes a number of times about alternatives, but they are at the level of…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language: Tata Steel
I thank Sam Kurtz for the welcome that he has given to the developments in the last few days. I just would say I don't think it's helpful to talk at this point in terms of false hope. It's a very difficult situation for many thousands of people. I know this…
