David Rees: Will the First Minister make a statement on actions being taken by the Welsh Government to improve the economy of the valleys in South Wales West?
David Rees: Will you take an intervention?
David Rees: Thank you for taking the intervention. Do you therefore agree with me also that—? You say getting the best out of the workforce—one way of getting the best out of the workforce is working in partnership with the workforce, as we are seeing across Neath Port Talbot, where there is a great partnership between the workforce and the council. That’s a way of getting success.
David Rees: I was waiting for that one. Can I remind the Member that, in fact, his party promised in 2011 that package? In 2014 the EU actually approved a package, in 2015 they approved another one, and extended it, and by 2016 we still hadn’t received the money. When announcements are made about job losses, when announcements were made about sales—over four years waiting for the UK Government to do...
David Rees: I’m delighted to speak in today’s debate, to set on the record the excellent work this Welsh Labour Government has done, and continues to do, as the people of Wales experience the impact of attacks and failure of the Tory Government at Westminster. Members will only need to look at my own constituency to see how the Welsh Labour Government is providing strong leadership on economic...
David Rees: Will you take an intervention?
David Rees: Thank you for taking the intervention. Perhaps I can give you some advice: use it for your next manifesto. It works.
David Rees: Before I ask my question, can I remind the Chamber that my wife’s a radiographer and is therefore probably on that list of those whose data was breached? Cabinet Secretary, thank you for the answers you’ve given, and I look forward to the written statements you’ll be providing. But, clearly, as well as the data breach issues, there are questions as to what type of information was held...
David Rees: Leader of the house, as Suzy Davies pointed out, WEFO operates under EU regional policy rules at this point in time, but in two years they’re not going to be there, effectively. What I’m asking is: what discussions have you had with the UK Government about a future regional policy, and are you taking the opportunity to be creative in the agenda to ensure that what happens in Wales can...
David Rees: Cabinet Secretary, timber obviously is a major element here, and we’ve seen in my area the harvesting of timber change because of the diseases within the valley area. Therefore, the replanting is important, to look at, as Simon Thomas says, not just the nature of the land, but also perhaps the opportunity for other businesses beyond manufacturing, such as tourism areas. What progress has...
David Rees: Thank you for that answer, leader of the house. On 14 February, the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children made a statement regarding Communities First and his actions in that statement also highlighted the ambition to actually get to those furthest from the labour market and move them forward. But, unfortunately, some of those who are furthest from the labour market skills-wise are...
David Rees: 8. What actions is the Welsh Government taking to support people from disadvantaged communities to gain employment and move out of poverty? OAQ(5)0466(FM)
David Rees: I thank the Cabinet Secretary for that answer, though I need to expand a bit on my original question. But I’m sure he appreciates that, since January last year, there have been some very dark skies over Port Talbot and the steelworks there, the local community and the local economy. We’ll now seeing, perhaps, after this ballot, the lifting of those dark skies and greater certainty over...
David Rees: Thank you for that answer, Counsel General. I’m sure you and everyone else will recognise the importance of codification and the impact it will have. Could you actually outline the economic and social benefits that doing this job will actually give?
David Rees: Cabinet Secretary, on a day when we await the results of the Tata Steel ballot in relation to the steel industry and the future of that, it’s important that we clarify the position on business rates with steel. It has been often raised in this Chamber about the support the Welsh Government can give. Have you had further discussions with UK Government colleagues or EU officials in relation...
David Rees: 5. What progress has been made on the Welsh Government’s codification of law programme? OAQ(5)0028(CG)
David Rees: Following today’s announcement on the steel ballot by the Tata workforce, will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on what discussions he has had to ensure the commitment to the investment in steel making at Port Talbot is secured? EAQ(5)0122(EI)
David Rees: Thank you for giving way, but do you recognise that actually there are many dams and other buildings that have fish passes within them to actually allow the safe movement of fish up and down in ways like that? This is slightly different because these are turbines that attract fish in through the wave and tidal movements. So, it’s not quite the same picture.
David Rees: Will you give way?
David Rees: I thank the Member for giving way. I, too, have had representations from the anglers, the Afan anglers in particular, and I think it's important that we now quickly get a resolution between NRW and Tidal Lagoon Power so that we can ensure the disparity between the two, which is quite huge at the moment, actually becomes more realistic, because I understand that both are, admittedly, at the...
