10 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Well, clearly you don't agree with your colleague the education Minister, but I suppose we'll have to wait and see whether the creation of a new economic council becomes a reality later this year. Now, in the meantime, the Welsh Government has published its…
10 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Nothing constructive to turn things around, just political pot shots as usual. Perhaps he's spent too much time campaigning lately rather than focusing on the job he currently has. Well, Minister, that's not the only data that presents a real challenge for…
10 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Well, we can see that the Minister is already practising his First Minister's questions by blaming someone else for Wales's economic woes.
10 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Diolch, Llywydd. Happy new year, Minister: 2024 promises to be a very interesting year for the Welsh economy, and a very interesting year for you too, perhaps. [Laughter.] Now, according to the Welsh Government's own dashboard figures, Wales's employment rate…
9 January 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
First Minister, in Pembrokeshire there is an anticipated cut of up to 50 per cent of new apprenticeship starts in the contract year from August 2024, which will have a big impact on these skills in the local area. And I appreciate very much the pressures on…
13 December 2023 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Motion under Standing Order 17.42(ix) to resolve to exclude the public from the remainder of the meeting and the start of the meeting on 18 January 2024
We will move on now, therefore, to item 6, and I now propose in accordance with Standing Order 17.42 that the committee resolves to exclude the public from the remainder of today's meeting and the start of the meeting on 18 January next year. Are Members…
13 December 2023 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
Thank you very much indeed for that update. Time has beaten us. Our session has therefore come to an end. Thank you to you and your officials for being with us today. It's been a very useful session in scrutinising your policies, going forward. A copy of…
13 December 2023 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
And finally: can you provide the committee with an update on the Welsh Government's work and engagement with the UK Government on other international trade deals currently being negotiated?
13 December 2023 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
Absolutely.
13 December 2023 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
You mentioned, obviously, some of the opportunities that could come because of this agreement, so what actions are you taking to support businesses to actually take advantage of some of these opportunities? And you identified some of these opportunities, I…
13 December 2023 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
Thank you, Sam. I've just got some questions around the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or the CPTPP, as it's called. What action have you taken to discuss the concerns you identified in your assessment of the CPTPP…
13 December 2023 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
I'll now bring in Sam Kurtz. Sam.
13 December 2023 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
Thank you, Luke.
13 December 2023 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
Thank you, Vikki. I'll now bring back Luke Fletcher. Luke.
13 December 2023 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
Okay. Thank you, Hefin. I'll now bring in Vikki Howells. Vikki.
13 December 2023 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
Thank you, Buffy. I'll now bring back Hefin David. Hefin.
13 December 2023 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
Okay. Thank you. I'll now bring in Buffy Williams. Buffy.
13 December 2023 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
Thank you. And before I bring in Buffy Williams, Luke would just like to come back on this very, very quickly.
13 December 2023 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
Okay. Thank you, Luke. I'll now bring in Hefin David. Hefin.
13 December 2023 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
Luke, you'd like to come in on this area of questioning.
13 December 2023 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
So, perhaps that's a polite way of telling us then that the apprenticeships budget will be cut, because stakeholders are telling me that it could be cut by 24 per cent in the forthcoming budget.
13 December 2023 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
Now, Minister, one of your refreshed economic priorities is a platform for young people, fair work, skills, and success. Stakeholders have made it very clear that they're worried about the future of apprenticeships. And so, given that you've committed to…
13 December 2023 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
Minister, your latest oral statement made it clear that you were holding an economic summit on 30 November, which, presumably, brought together partners, businesses, trade unions and stakeholders. Can you provide an update on the summit and any outcomes that…
13 December 2023 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
So, can you tell us which specific actions you will prioritise taking forward over the next six months to start delivering on your four priorities, which you announced last week?
13 December 2023 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
Thank you very much indeed for those introductions. And perhaps I can kick off this session with a few questions. Now, Minister, at the start of the sixth Senedd, you said that your priorities for the portfolio included needing more people to work, and to be…
