, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: The Future of the Steel Industry
Thank you for that series of questions. I'm pleased that the Member welcomes and recognises the change in approach the UK Government is taking to steel safeguards. I believe that's a proportionate step that's been taken, and I do welcome the action that has…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: The Future of the Steel Industry
The low-carbon transition is complex and far-reaching. It requires collaboration across governments, industry and the workforce over the coming decade and beyond. In the short term, some improvements can be made—improving energy efficiency and resource…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: The Future of the Steel Industry
Thank you, Llywydd. The steel industry has a long and proud history here in Wales. I am committed to working to secure a long, proud and sustainable future for our steel industry. Not only does the sector support many thousands of jobs in Wales, but steel…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Young Person’s Guarantee
Yes, I'll be happy to meet with her individually to talk about the Rhondda. I know that there's interest from other constituency Members around her to have a conversation about what this will mean for the Valleys, and I'm really interested in the…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Young Person’s Guarantee
Yes. On your first point, about making sure that we do have a proper view of the quality of jobs and the wages that are being paid and what it means for people going into the world of work, that's part of the point I was trying to make in response to Luke…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Young Person’s Guarantee
It is one of our big challenges. I remember well talking to Ministers who've moved on to different parts of Government about the challenge it is in how we resource Careers Wales, and the really big budget challenges we've had. That's part of the reason why…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Young Person’s Guarantee
I thank the Member for his comments and questions. On your first broad point about the quality of opportunities that are provided, we've been through some of this before, both in the creation of Jobs Growth Wales, about the rates of pay that are available…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Young Person’s Guarantee
Thank you for the series of questions. I'm sure the Member will understand that, given the number of questions he's asked, I won't be able to deal with them all in one sitting, otherwise no other speaker will have an opportunity to contribute, and I will try…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Young Person’s Guarantee
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. People and businesses across Wales have faced one of the most difficult years in peacetime. As the economy Minister for Wales, my priority is to ensure that in the recovery we provide the right support to both individuals…
, Plenary
Debate: The UK Levelling-up and Shared Prosperity Funds
Thank you, Llywydd. I'll try to run through some of the comments in the debate before concluding. I think it's fair to say that the debate's highlighted very clearly how people feel both about the current UK Government and the reality of what is happening…
, Plenary
Debate: The UK Levelling-up and Shared Prosperity Funds
The impact of this deliberate, brutish attack on Welsh devolution is not even softened by an offer of new additional money for Wales. Last month, the UK Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government in England, Luke Hall, stated that the shared prosperity…
, Plenary
Debate: The UK Levelling-up and Shared Prosperity Funds
Thank you, Llywydd. And I welcome this opportunity to bring forward today's debate on the UK Government's levelling-up fund and the future shared prosperity fund. These UK proposals represent a new era of aggressive centralisation, one that delivers a very…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Yes, I'm happy to say that we're very positive about a range of areas in the Valleys taskforce work. I've recently spoken with the leader of RCT about continuing our work on the empty homes scheme, where bringing those homes back into beneficial use has…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Thank you for the question. We are currently considering how best to further develop economic, social and environmental action within this area, particularly in the Heads of the Valleys area. Over £19 million has already been approved for projects benefiting…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
The Member is quite right to highlight the key challenges of the customs reality that faces a range of goods going in and out of Great Britain and the island of Ireland. I've mentioned several times before the impact that is having on our ports, but it's…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Thank you for the question. We have a comprehensive programme to support businesses through Brexit and COVID disruption. That includes technical advice, financial support and promotional work. This support and leadership will help to sustain the sector…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
We have a constructive relationship with not just the council, but with a range of stakeholders in Pembrokeshire, and, in fact, the development you speak of is something I know that Joyce Watson the regional Member for Mid and West Wales has mentioned to me…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Yes. Our economic resilience and reconstruction mission sets out our plan for the economy and will be vital to support individuals, businesses and communities to succeed, flourish and recover. We continue to support new and existing businesses in…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Thank you for the question. I'm familiar with the Caswell Bay project that the Member references, because the Welsh Government provided £68,000 of the £85,000 project cost to enable the change he refers to. And there's more, of course, within Caswell Bay in…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Yes, I'd be very happy to do so—[Laughter.]—and welcome the Member to the Chamber. Our strategy, 'Welcome to Wales: Priorities for the Visitor Economy 2020-2025', published in January, emphasises accessibility and inclusivity in all our activities. We will…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
I'll be happy to consider all ideas, as well as the approach we're already taking. And the Member will know, from his time when he was still the leader of Monmouthshire, the over £0.5 million in Transforming Towns placemaking grant that's been made to…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
I welcome Peter Fox to his new role, and, again, I have seen him in his former role; now he is a bright young man here in the Senedd. Since April 2020, Monmouthshire businesses have received over £50 million in grant support, safeguarding over 1,300 jobs…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
I think there is—. It's often the case that there are positive signals given, as in this case—and I welcome the Member to the Chamber and to questions; I look forward to working with him in this role, as indeed moving on from his time as the leader of Conwy…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Yes, and I recognise the point the Member makes. I remember as a backbencher raising issues about the construction workers' blacklist and the direct impact that had on the lives of workers in Wales and beyond. So, we are going to look to use the levers, both…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
I want to be clear, as the First Minister was yesterday, that the Welsh Government condemns the use of fire and rehire as a negotiating tactic and employment practice. The threat of redundancy to impose inferior pay, terms and conditions on workers does not…
