Ken Skates: Can I thank Janet Finch-Saunders for her questions, and first of all assure her that huge support has been offered to the Welsh Mountain Zoo? And the Welsh Mountain Zoo, unlike zoos in England, has not been required to stay closed; it's legislation that was introduced in England in the last week to keep zoos closed that's prevented zoos from reopening. Here in Wales, that legislation does not...
Ken Skates: Well, thank you, John Griffiths, and I agree that the future will see the uptake of ultra low emission vehicles intensified and accelerated, but I would also hope, as we emerge from coronavirus, we see the use of public transport increase as well, and that we see active travel increase significantly. So, we're keen to ensure that investment is made in the infrastructure that can support...
Ken Skates: Well, can I thank Mandy Jones not just for her questions, but also for her helpful comments and a request for a Zoom meeting with a constituent? I'll clearly engage with my colleague the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism over who may be the most appropriate to have that meeting, but we are keen to engage with as many businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector as we possibly...
Ken Skates: Well, can I thank David Rees for his question? He's absolutely right that only the UK Government has the financial resource to be able to support the sectors with the sort of intervention that's required, particularly aerospace and steel. They are two sectors that are now standing items on the quadrilateral calls that take place between myself and the economy Ministers in the devolved...
Ken Skates: Janet, we can't hear you.
Ken Skates: There's been no consequential.
Ken Skates: Formally.
Ken Skates: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd, and my thanks to all Members for their contributions, and I certainly welcome this opportunity to respond to them. Since publishing our road map and plans on how we propose to return to normal, or as best as normal, here in Wales, on 15 May, we've been planning the next stages, and it's important that we prepare for the future ahead of us. I think all Members in the...
Ken Skates: We'll also grow and support jobs for the future through upskilling and reskilling to support employers to adapt and transform their skills base to maintain and grow employment. And, just one year from its official launch, Working Wales has directly assisted more than 31,500 people, and over 6,000 young people, who were looking for employability support. That service has, of course, as a...
Ken Skates: Formally.
Ken Skates: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Can I begin by saying that the Welsh Government very much welcomes this debate from the Welsh Conservatives? And, obviously, whilst we recognise that the coronavirus pandemic is, obviously, a public health and an economic emergency, public health does, undoubtedly, come first. This public health crisis is not over yet. As the First Minister has said, through the...
Ken Skates: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Last night's news is clearly devastating for all of the workers at Airbus in Broughton, their families, and the local communities surrounding the plant. Throughout the pandemic, we've called on the UK Government to work with us on a support package and to provide a clear route map to a recovery for the aerospace sector.
Ken Skates: Can I thank Jack Sargeant for his supplementary question and say that we are determined to work with Governments in Westminster and in Flintshire, and across the region, to ensure that we get the best possible prospects for those people who are affected by today's announcement? Of course, we would wish to minimise the numbers that have been announced, and we will seek support from the UK...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Mark Isherwood for a number of constructive questions? And can I assure him, first of all, that I've been in very regular dialogue with Ministers within BEIS and the Wales Office? Indeed, weekly conversations have taken place during the course of the pandemic. I hope that they will continue once we're through this as well. We haven't had the same degree of engagement with UK...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Llyr Gruffydd for his questions and perhaps answer that last one first? Because I think it's absolutely vital we recognise the mental and emotional toll that this could place many people under. It's absolutely vital, therefore, that the support we offer is not just concerned with employment matters and skills opportunities, but also support for mental and emotional health. I have...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Russell George for his question and say what I said at the press conference this morning—that we look forward to ensuring that Cardiff international airport strengthens its relationship with Ryanair, resumes flights as soon as possible, as soon as it is safe to do so? But we must also recognise that the UK Government's advice remains in place regarding foreign travel, and that...
Ken Skates: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd, and can I begin by thanking the committee Chair, Russell George, and its members for its work producing both incredibly valuable reports? And I'd also like to thank those who were able to provide evidence via video link in what has become, of course, the new norm for holding meetings at present. Of course, ordinarily, the Welsh Government would have formally...
Ken Skates: Now, with regard to Mark Isherwood's question about support for the tourism sector, I can confirm that, through the first phase of the economic resilience fund, more than £11 million of support has been provided to tourism and hospitality businesses. It's saved more than 4,000 jobs, and that support would not have been available elsewhere in the UK. And we're also providing £5 million...
Ken Skates: I was extremely disappointed at the way that the news was relayed to Welsh Government, following all of the incredibly hard work in partnership that had been built over a number of years. The Welsh Government has invested time, energy and money into this business.
Ken Skates: I'd agree entirely with Carwyn Jones and say that this decision is somewhat perplexing given that the business in question has been such a supporter of Brexit, and there is no doubt whatsoever that Brexit is doing immense damage to the automotive industry and the economy in general. And, essentially, what they've decided to do—fact—is go to France just at the point that we're reaching the...
