, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Thank you, and I will acknowledge that, in terms of the investment you've spoken about with Sony, that was a decision made by the previous Minister, Ken Skates, and I'm delighted to acknowledge the choice he made, because it does exactly what you say: it's a…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Well, of course, when it comes to productivity increasing here in Wales, from 2012 to 2021 productivity in GVA terms increased in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot by 21 per cent and nearly 18 per cent respectively. As I said earlier in response to Luke Fletcher…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Our economic mission sets out clearly the values and priorities that shape the decisions we are taking in supporting our economy. For South Wales West in particular, a good example is the Swansea bay city deal, looking to deliver £1.2 billion of investment…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
When I actually talk to businesses and sectors and individuals, there are some who face real challenges—that's true and undeniable; I've never tried to walk away from that. But there are also a range of sectors that are very optimistic about their…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
So, we do actually publish information on what we're doing on productivity, not just in relation to the UK overall, but in particular regions, and that's also published objectively as well, and we continue to invest resources that we do have in areas that we…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Well, what the Member sets out is exactly what the Government is doing. My officials have regular conversations with further education providers and higher education as well; we're continuing the roll-out of degree apprenticeships; we're doing exactly what we…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
No, I don't think we'd say we've fully implemented them. I think it's not a fair test to try to say that they should all have been fully implemented now, given what has happened in the intervening period, and given the reality of the different challenges we…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
We have a range of programmes—for example, I have announced more money, together with the education Minister, for personal learning accounts. We have all the advice that businesses can get through Business Wales themselves. We continue to invest in our…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Thank you for the question. I'm very pleased that we've been able to announce a £0.5 million investment in tailored work experience. It follows a successful pilot in the area, undertaken with year 10 learners that Careers Wales undertook. And this is about…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Well, there are a couple of points to make in response. The first is on the employment and unemployment figures. As I and the First Minister have set out, actually, on the figures themselves, it's important not to over-rely on another month's worth of…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
We continue to invest in employability programmes that we either run or fund from the Welsh Government. Two good examples are Communities for Work Plus, which is delivered by local authorities, and ReAct+. Together with Jobcentre Plus—a UK Government…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Funnily enough, I mentioned the meeting I'd had with Julia Lopez before maternity leave, and had a subsequent meeting with John Whittingdale, who's covering her maternity leave, on a range of areas. And one of the areas we do need to get right is the roll-out…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
I met with Julia Lopez, before her maternity leave, in the UK Government, because, of course, the challenge here is this isn't a devolved area, but we recognise that the UK Government's programme to actually improve connectivity should reach 85 per cent of…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Yes, I'm happy to give the assurance. I'm interested in the work that is already being done. I'm particularly keen to support partners across north Wales, including the ambition board, to make sure that Wales gets a proper share of the £40 million fund…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Thank you for the question. In addition to delivering a range of projects and schemes across north Wales, including our £56 million broadband roll-out, Access Broadband Cymru and local broadband fund schemes, we also work with the UK Government and Ambition…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
Well, I think you can have a great deal more confidence about what is happening here. Apart from anything else—the allegations around the mayor of Teesside and what's been said in the House of Commons about industrial-scale corruption—we haven't sold land at…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
I know you're a sceptic.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
Look, I understand why, particularly in some of these communities, the promises of levelling up, the promises of 'there's a much brighter future that's coming', there is some cynicism on whether it's real. But that's why this next, detailed phase really does…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
'Could', not 'would'.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
That isn't true, Luke. I didn't say—
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
Well, the headline figure does go through, and actually the official who’s the lead on this is one of my deputy directors and so has gone through the detail of this. When the decision comes, there’s a bit more about it, but actually you’ve got to go through…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
We'll be publishing a decision note that sets out some of what happened and the assessment of both Welsh Government officials as well as UK Government officials and then the ministerial choices. And the challenge always is that, when you say there's a…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
Well, as you know, fair work is a key plank of this Government's approach; it's entirely consistent with the future generations approach as well. So, it's part of what makes the free-port consortia, and the bidding process and the assessment process in Wales…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
We regularly talk about the second half of the free-ports discussion and the way in which we practically work through growth deals as a marker of what should happen in conversation between the two Governments, but it's not even. So, I don't think you should…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
My department is the lead department co-ordinating and working with this, but there are regular and really constructive conversations between officials and, indeed, as you'd expect, a really constructive and pragmatic working relationship with Rebecca Evans…
