, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Tech and Cyber Sectors
Thank you for the comments and questions. I am, of course, more than happy to continue to update Members on progress in both the cyber and tech sectors. There's lots to be proud of, and I think lots of room for further growth into the future. I'll just deal…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Tech and Cyber Sectors
The manufacturing sector is facing challenges akin to a perfect storm: global economic shocks, labour shortages, energy price rises and continuing supply chain difficulties. The refreshed plan is designed to ensure the sector can embrace and benefit from…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Tech and Cyber Sectors
I'm delighted that Thales, a world player in the cyber industry, has recognised that Wales is a great place to invest, and has anchored in Ebbw Vale. Not only is Thales providing much-needed high-quality jobs, but its presence is also helping to revitalise…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Tech and Cyber Sectors
Diolch, Llywydd. Today, I'm pleased to talk to Members again about the tech and cyber sectors in Wales, areas in which Wales has developed a global reputation for our expertise. Improving the well-being of everyone in Wales is the economic mission that drives…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Economic Development in Mid Wales
Thank you for the three points, I think, when it comes to getting to delivery. Similar points were made, I think, in some of the other comments. I'm expecting that we'll have the portfolio business case come to both Welsh and UK Governments for approval…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Economic Development in Mid Wales
Thank you for the two points. On digital connectivity, I alluded to it in answer to an earlier question; it’s a real opportunity for people to work and not to have to commute large distances or to move out, but it also means you need to have reliable…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Economic Development in Mid Wales
I think that it depends on what your definition of a major business is, and then the ability to have the right sort of infrastructure for people to actually invest and deliver in that business. You mentioned earlier, in First Minister's questions, that you…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Economic Development in Mid Wales
It's a good point made by Joyce Watson. I should have anticipated a question on construction and structural engineering from Joyce Watson—her long-standing interest. It's an area of the economy that has actually been relatively resilient in recent years. Part…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Economic Development in Mid Wales
Thank you for the comments and questions. Thank you for the welcome for Arfor 2 and the work that we're doing, moving into delivery phase now. I'm looking forward to meeting with the Arfor board this week, and, indeed, designated members from the co-operation…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Economic Development in Mid Wales
The challenge, though, is that in the regular meetings that we have with the different growth deals—and I'm sure that, at some point, I will update the Chamber on the Swansea bay growth deal that covers west Wales, where the Member has a constituency…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Economic Development in Mid Wales
Thank you for the series of questions. I'll try and deal with as many of them as I can do. I should acknowledge upfront that I was a student in Aberystwyth, so I know parts of Aberystwyth better than, perhaps, other regions of Wales and the parts that I can…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Economic Development in Mid Wales
Maybe, as the constituency Member, on another occasion.
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Economic Development in Mid Wales
Mid Wales is a region of opportunity and potential. Recognised as being a great place to live and to work, offering an exceptional quality of life, it has a natural environment that supports agriculture and land-based industries, as well as an outstanding…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Economic Development in Mid Wales
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I’m pleased to have this opportunity to update Members on the progress of economic development across mid Wales, the mid Wales growth deal region. Our mission across Wales is to create better jobs in stronger businesses and to narrow…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Well, on those points, I think we have a good track record, and our missions, actually, I think, highlight what we are going to do to work alongside universities to develop innovation and higher paid employment. It's part of the reason we're looking for…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Our flexible innovation support programme is currently open to applicants. We will formally launch funding on 8 June. Funding will be targeted towards activity that will help deliver the missions laid out in our new innovation strategy, 'Wales innovates'. The…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
I understand there are views and opinions on this subject. You'll understand that we put this into our manifesto, about what we would do moving forward. You'll also understand, of course, it's part of our co-operation agreement, and so we're doing—this may be…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
The ongoing cost-of-living, cost-of-business crisis is a real risk for the future of a number of businesses, including small and microbusinesses. The Welsh Government offers a range of support for small and microbusinesses across Wales, including support for…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Well, we're obviously concerned about the provision and the lack of it, and the investment in the broadband infrastructure. That's different, of course, to the price paid by the provider, but the infrastructure itself is the key problem. We're looking to…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Responsibility for broadband is not devolved to Wales, yet businesses across south Wales are already benefiting directly from our £56 million broadband roll-out. Our Access Broadband Cymru and local broadband fund schemes also provide grants to help improve…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Thank you for the question.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
I don't think that makes any sense at all when it comes to our support for manufacturing. We have a sector that is bigger than the UK-wide sector per head. It stocks 150,000 jobs, it's 16 per cent of our economic activity; it's about 9 per cent in the rest of…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
I thank the Member for the question and the important points around the future of the semiconductor sector here in Wales, and its key importance as part of the future for the UK economy as well. I'll deal first with the discrete issue around Nexperia. It's a…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Thank you for the question. Official-level discussions have taken place with the UK Government, but not at the level of detail we would wish. I'm disappointed at the lack of ministerial engagement to date, including after the launch of the belated strategy…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
We are looking at whether the figures are the start of a new trend or whether they're an individual blip in economic inactivity. We've made progress over a period of time, as I've set out, and that's factually indisputable. The challenge is, in particular…
