Ken Skates: The north Wales metro is key in delivering an integrated, improved and efficient transport system for the region. This will include the need to improve rail infrastructure, provide new stations and, of course, introduce new services.
Ken Skates: Can I thank Llyr Huws Gruffydd for his question? Obviously, the UK Government remains in control of rail infrastructure and is responsible for investment in it here in Wales. We, obviously, would wish that we had control, but, for the time being, it's the UK Government. We have submitted a bid to the UK Government's new ideas fund for studies into the reopening of the Gaerwen to Amlwch line,...
Ken Skates: Well, the Welsh Government is working with local authorities in South Wales West to deal with the immediate impact as well as plan for the recovery. Our regional teams are on standby to offer support to businesses and our Business Wales service also continues to provide support and advice to those who need it.
Ken Skates: Can I thank Caroline Jones for the question and the opportunity that it's given me to assure all businesses, across Wales, that all of those applications for development grant funding will be assessed on a qualitative basis, on merit, and that we will not be awarding money simply on the basis of first come, first served, but on the quality of the applications? That's why we're already...
Ken Skates: Well, can I thank Dai Rees for his question and recognise the value of the visitor economy to his constituency? It is very significant indeed. Right across Wales, the number of jobs that are secured within the tourism and hospitality sectors is hugely important and provides opportunities for communities to thrive. Therefore, during the period of the firebreak, we were concerned with the...
Ken Skates: As I mentioned in response to question 1, the pandemic and, of course, the imminent end of the EU transition period is causing deep uncertainty and a worrying period for businesses across north Wales, and that's why we continue to offer the most comprehensive and generous package of support for businesses anywhere in the United Kindgdom.
Ken Skates: Can I thank Mandy Jones for her question and say that I entirely agree that the fortitude and innovation and the responsibility of businesses within the tourism and hospitality sector has been quite astonishing during the course of this pandemic? We wish to support businesses in every way that we possibly can to remain viable, to get through this pandemic. Of course, the risk of transmission...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his question? The problems highlighted could've been avoided had the Prime Minister agreed to a short firebreak alongside us, just as the scientific experts were recommending. It's my view that a 17-day firebreak is far more desirable for businesses than a four-week circuit break, which is now in action in England. I regret that the Prime Minister did not see fit to...
Ken Skates: Yes, of course. Our current £200 million package of lockdown business grants is open for applications. Meanwhile, we're assessing applications received for our £100 million business development grants fund, which included £20 million of ring-fenced funding for tourism and hospitality businesses. That fund is intended to support businesses in developing projects for longer-term prosperity.
Ken Skates: Can I thank Janet Finch-Saunders for her question? I'm sure that she would agree with me that the pressure that accommodation providers are under because there is the lockdown in England is regrettable, obviously, but it's necessary. It is necessary that the virus is brought under control in England, as we have been bringing it under control in Wales, in order to secure the rest of the 2020...
Ken Skates: Thank you. As I've said to other Members, our current £200 million package of lockdown business grants is open for applications, and £40 million has already been paid to more than 14,000 business across Wales since the firebreak was introduced.
Ken Skates: I thank Hefin David for his questions. I'll be as succinct as I possibly can be. Those businesses that are registered to pay business rates will automatically receive grants. All they need to do is update their details. If they are looking towards receiving a discretionary top-up, then they'll need to make a very short application, but those awards are automatic once a business has updated...
Ken Skates: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Tata Steel announced on Friday, 13 November that they have initiated discussions with SSAB Sweden regarding the acquisition of Tata Steel’s Netherlands business including, of course, the IJmuiden steelworks. In addition, they have initiated a process to separate Tata Steel Netherlands and UK business in the future. Crucially, Tata Steel also made it clear that they...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Russell George for his questions? I'd agree with his statement at the outset that, whilst, obviously, this will create anxiety—an announcement of this type always leads to uncertainty and, therefore, uncertainty—during the conversations that we've had with Tata, it is absolutely clear to us that Tata remain fully committed to the UK, and absolutely determined to take their...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Helen Mary Jones for her questions? Of course, Helen Mary Jones is right to point to the fact that it's not just Port Talbot we're talking about, and thousands of workers at Port Talbot, but the other Tata Steel plants across Wales, which employ huge numbers of people who are very well paid. In fact, the steel sector in the United Kingdom pays an average salary of £36,000. And,...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Alun Davies for his questions? And he's absolutely right that Ebbw Vale, like many other communities in Wales, was built on steel. We're often very sentimental about the past, about the role that steel has played in shaping our communities, our culture, our heritage in Wales. But I think we should be equally enthusiastic about the future of the sector in Wales. Because as I've...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Caroline Jones for her questions? I'd agree entirely that the announcement will cause deep concern for workers, but we have to assure those workers that we are all—we are all—determined to safeguard their jobs, to provide the support that's required in order to see Tata's UK facilities become more competitive in the global market, provide more steel for the UK and for other...
Ken Skates: Apologies.
Ken Skates: Can I thank Mark Isherwood for his questions and his contribution, and agree with him that discussion over ownership models is actually a distraction right now from what has to be done? And I think we have to focus right now on supporting Tata to undergo the transformation that I've outlined that is necessary to make them more competitive and to secure the long-term future of the facilities...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Dai Rees for his questions and say that he is a powerful and passionate advocate for Port Talbot and for the steel sector as a whole in Wales? I very much welcome his contribution today, and I would agree with him that this does present the UK Government with an enormous opportunity to demonstrate a commitment, a true commitment, to levelling up, but also to secure what I think is...
