, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Economy
Well, without spiking one of the questions that I'm going to be asked this afternoon in the Chamber, yes, we are looking to have a draft for consultation before we go to summer recess, and then we are looking to have a genuine consultation over the summer…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Economy
Yes. So, the context has changed since the Reid review came in. In 2018, when the Reid review was published, we were working on the basis that we would have, fully funded, all of the post-EU funding mechanisms, and that hasn't happened; that has caused real…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Ministerial Scrutiny - Minister for Economy
Bore da, Chair; bore da to the committee. I'll now hand on to Sioned, Andrew and Steffan to briefly introduce themselves for the record.
, Plenary
Topical Questions
I have not been smirking.
, Plenary
Topical Questions
With respect, I think we're confusing more than one issue in the series of questions that are being asked. I won't go into the historic matters that the Member invites me to relitigate today. The issue is about the vendors and their desire and willingness to…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
As I say, the purchase price has been independently certified for us, and we're looking at the opportunity that does exist around the long-term future for Green Man. As ever, there are competing interests about land use and about economic benefit. I expect to…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
There were a range of questions in there. I will try to deal with them as best I can, and as succinctly as I can—I'm looking at the Deputy Presiding Officer. The purchase price was independently certified by our consultant surveyors. You'll be pleased to know…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
The Welsh Government undertook the freehold acquisition and short-term leaseback of Gilestone Farm for £4.25 million. The acquisition of the property is being progressed in order to facilitate investment in local businesses, the community and the Welsh…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Offshore Marine Energy
Well, I agree that there is significant potential within and around north Wales for tidal energy to be successfully generated at a large level with significant economic return. Our challenge is how we work with the private sector and the UK Government to get…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Offshore Marine Energy
Thank you. I think that there is lots of potential for people who have been involved in former industries that are unlikely to be future industries for the longer term. People who have engineering, research and development skills, there are opportunities…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Offshore Marine Energy
Okay, so on your final point, it depends which blockages you refer to. We've just had a conversation about the environmental impact, and it depends what other blockages are being referred to, whether it's pre deployment or, actually, the ability to…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Offshore Marine Energy
Well, that is the approach that we are seeking to take. We're seeking to make sure that development takes place in appropriate areas that take account of the environmental impact of developments. That's exactly the point that has been made in response to Huw…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Offshore Marine Energy
On your final point, that's absolutely the perspective that Welsh Ministers take. We're very, very keen to see the economic benefits. We're very, very keen to see the renewable energy benefits, knowing that will positively impact upon the environment around…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Offshore Marine Energy
Thank you for the questions. I think they're in three or four broad categories. On tidal energy, yes, we think that Wales has a real opportunity still to be at the forefront of an emerging sector. It is a matter of well-understood regret from this…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Offshore Marine Energy
I thank the Member for his series of questions. I'll do my best to answer the points as briefly as I can. I'll start with the point of difference and the innovation strategy. We're going to go out to consultation on that, hopefully shortly, so you'll see the…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Offshore Marine Energy
To put all of this activity into perspective, we currently generate 726 MW from offshore wind in Wales. We also have a credible pipeline to generate over 2.8 GW of offshore wind from a mixture of technologies by 2030. If we extend the timeline to 2035, then…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Economy: Offshore Marine Energy
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I want to take this opportunity to update Members on current activity within the emerging offshore marine sector in Wales and to outline the Welsh Government's ambition to deliver real economic benefits from this new and…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
I have not just discussions on the education aspect but practical discussions, for example, with Julie James, the housing Minister, about the impact of housing associations as important economic actors within local areas, as well as the direct engagement I…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Supporting and developing social enterprise and the social economy across Wales to develop and grow is key to contributing towards creating a stronger, fairer and greener Wales. The Welsh Government provides dedicated support for the sector and provides match…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Well, I don't accept that mid Wales is left out. Actually, the regional economic framework developed by the two local authorities and endorsed not just by the Government is work that's been led by local authorities and those partners who understand their…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
On 2 March, I set out this Government's approach to enterprise zones in Wales. Whilst we have no immediate plans to introduce a zone in rural mid Wales, our commitment to place-based economic development is clearly set out in the regional economic framework…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Thank you. DBW will continue to make capital available for start-up businesses and microbusinesses, as the Member has indicated. He may also be aware that we provided specific funds to help start-ups in a range of sectors, not just in town centres but a range…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Thank you for the question. Our £136 million Transforming Towns programme focuses on the diversification and sustainable growth of our town and city centres. A number of the interventions include the reuse of derelict and empty buildings—we heard some of that…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
As the Member knows, this was part of our manifesto that people in Wales voted upon just a year ago. It's also a part of the co-operation agreement we have with Plaid Cymru, and Cefin Campbell is indeed the designated lead Member on this. We're drawing on…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
We are engaging with a wide range of partners to understand the impact of a tourism levy, including tendering for independent economic research. Individual local authorities will be empowered to decide if they will raise a levy in their areas, with the…
