, Plenary
Questions to the First Minister
5. What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve digital inclusion in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire? OQ60175
, Plenary
90-second Statements
The Pembrokeshire Lottery was set up 30 years ago to provide a fund that Pembrokeshire businesses could access at no cost to invest in their futures, creating and retaining jobs in Pembrokeshire. It was the brainchild of the late Danny Fellows, who joined…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Minister, you'll be well aware of my interest in free ports, namely the Celtic free port in my constituency, an economic policy that could directly improve Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales and Wales as a whole. Their benefits are well versed: an estimated…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
4. What action is the Welsh Government taking to encourage economic growth in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire? OQ60107
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Finance and Local Government: Update on 2023-24 Financial Position
For clarity, on these benches we support the Welsh Government's ability to undertake capital-to-revenue switches. But, Minister, within my shadow portfolio, it will be no surprise that my eyes were drawn, in the 'Update on 2023-2024 financial position'…
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Mental health
I absolutely will, and I'm very happy to support any charity that is working in this sector and providing vital services towards that. I think this touches upon what Laura Anne Jones said in her contribution with regard to best practice being available; if…
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Mental health
I'm happy to give way.
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Mental health
Diolch, Llywydd. And firstly, I'd like to start by thanking all Members for their contribution today. Indeed, this is one of the reasons why I got into politics—to be able to discuss a serious matter like this in what I would say is a grown-up, methodical…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Minister for Economy: Border Control Posts in Wales; and Future of Welsh Steel
Thank you, Chair.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Minister for Economy: Border Control Posts in Wales; and Future of Welsh Steel
So, that outline business case will be an opportunity for yourselves to work with the free-port organisations to be able to go, 'Right, this is good, this needs work, this is where it may require strengthening, this is something that we can park', et cetera…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Minister for Economy: Border Control Posts in Wales; and Future of Welsh Steel
Good. Likewise—as am I. In terms of the plan to publish guidance for free ports in Wales, do the free ports have sufficient information? I know you've mentioned that you've been working with them closely. Have they had the information required to be able to…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Minister for Economy: Border Control Posts in Wales; and Future of Welsh Steel
Okay. That's good. That's positive. Thank you for that positivity on that.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Minister for Economy: Border Control Posts in Wales; and Future of Welsh Steel
So, parking—I'm coming back to both of you on this point—a potential general election in May—for what it's worth, I think it'll be October—are we still on track for a final designation in spring 2024?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Minister for Economy: Border Control Posts in Wales; and Future of Welsh Steel
Okay. I'm glad there has been—I don't like using the phrase, but—hand-holding. But, as this is a new model for both the free-port consortia—
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Minister for Economy: Border Control Posts in Wales; and Future of Welsh Steel
So, there's no guarantee as of yet whether the free-port areas will be business rates exempt.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Minister for Economy: Border Control Posts in Wales; and Future of Welsh Steel
So, will the free-port areas be business rates exempt?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Minister for Economy: Border Control Posts in Wales; and Future of Welsh Steel
I understand that. Forgive me, then, for pressing a little bit more on business rates, then. Has that caught the Welsh Government a little bit on the hop, that business rates were included in this and the way that business rates are administered in Wales…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Minister for Economy: Border Control Posts in Wales; and Future of Welsh Steel
Diolch, Cadeirydd. Minister, what progress has been made on developing reliefs for devolved taxes such as business rates and land transaction tax to support the development of free ports in Wales?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Minister for Economy: Border Control Posts in Wales; and Future of Welsh Steel
Okay, thank you.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Minister for Economy: Border Control Posts in Wales; and Future of Welsh Steel
Or maybe a written statement to the Senedd itself.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Minister for Economy: Border Control Posts in Wales; and Future of Welsh Steel
Fab. Are we entitled to a written update following that, as a committee?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Minister for Economy: Border Control Posts in Wales; and Future of Welsh Steel
Excellent. So, you've previously told this committee that you expected inter-governmental discussions on the timetable for introducing physical checks on non-qualifying NI goods to begin around now. Are you able to update us on that?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Minister for Economy: Border Control Posts in Wales; and Future of Welsh Steel
Fab. And in terms of the BCP at Fishguard, I think in your written evidence you've described there being a reuse of rock—excavation and reuse of rock at that location. That, to me, naturally seems like a good idea; it's reducing the amount of imported…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Minister for Economy: Border Control Posts in Wales; and Future of Welsh Steel
But you're angling towards sort of a private company or a private collaboration, saying that you don't have the civil servants to do it. That would naturally lead me to—
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Minister for Economy: Border Control Posts in Wales; and Future of Welsh Steel
So, is that looking at Welsh Government operating that, or bringing in a private operator to run facilities, or are these all measures being investigated?
