Ken Skates: Thank you, Minister. That’s really helpful to know. I recently met with small businesses in the house-building industry, and they were raising this matter as a concern. Will the housing industry be present at that meeting on 9 February, and will you be able to give some reassurance that their concerns have been paid attention to?
Ken Skates: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Minister, I'd be very grateful for a statement on the status of the Wrexham Gateway project in light of the failure by the UK Government to support the scheme through the levelling-up bid process. This is a hugely important scheme for north Wales. It was conceived by Welsh Government; it's backed by Welsh Government, by the local authority, by the university and by the...
Ken Skates: 2. What assessment has the Minister made of the impact that the UK Government's decision not to support the Wrexham Gateway project will have on the Welsh economy? OQ59032
Ken Skates: Thank you very much for that positive message for the people of Wrexham and the region. Wrexham AFC, of course, have been talking recently about a plan B, and the Welsh Government has already earmarked, I believe, £25 million to this project. Will you reaffirm the Welsh Government's commitment to delivering the Wrexham Gateway project in full, and commit to engaging with the club and other...
Ken Skates: Minister, managing public finances after Liz Truss crashed the economy is desperately difficult, and I'm sure you have the sympathy of many Members in the Senedd in this very difficult task. Members have already raised a number of points that I intended to, so I just have two points that I'd like you to consider in your response today. First of all, is it the case that all funding that would...
Ken Skates: 8. How is the Welsh Government engaging with local authorities in regard to the roads review? OQ59077
Ken Skates: Minister, that's very positive and good to hear. You'll have seen in the last 24 hours, of course, the chaos that's caused across the local road network in and around Wrexham, when the A483 is closed or when lanes are reduced, and it shows how reduced capacity on the trunk roads impacts on traffic volumes through adjoining towns and villages where there are local roads. So, will you work with...
Ken Skates: 1. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on young people? OQ59151
Ken Skates: Thank you, Minister, for that answer. I've heard of instances of high-school children who've been turned away at the canteen till because their hard-working parents haven't been able to clear the dinner money debts that they've incurred. Would you agree with me that schools should act with the utmost compassion during these times of financial hardship, and not put young people through such...
Ken Skates: Deputy Minister, I rather fear that the cart is being put before the horse today, and has rolled over it. Alternative public transport options really must exist if people are to get out of their cars, and that's what the Wales transport strategy was designed to deliver, but it's hard to find any new alternatives in today's announcement. Does the £56 million earmarked for the A483 junction...
Ken Skates: 1. What is the Welsh Government doing to help young people into employment in Clwyd South? OQ59159
Ken Skates: Thank you, First Minister. The young people's guarantee really has been a tremendous success in the year that it's been operating, having found work for 11,000 people across Wales. And the unemployment rate in Wales continues to track below the UK unemployment rate average as well. What can employers do to attract the workforce of the future, alongside, obviously, the range of excellent...
Ken Skates: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Minister, thank you for your statement today and for publishing the innovation strategy. I was particularly keen to read the section on and the focus given to innovation assets. Now, we have many of these in existence around Wales, and they're proving to be fabulous magnets for investment in many communities. One that is currently in development, of course, is the...
Ken Skates: Minister, can I thank you for your statement today and begin by recognising the efforts made by those boards members who've departed, regardless of the situation facing BCUHB, as amongst those members are some of the most respected and competent individuals in north Wales? The statement you've made today indicates that further change is to come. We've heard that you wish to fundamentally...
Ken Skates: 4. Will the Minister provide an update on unemployment figures in Clwyd South? OQ59225
Ken Skates: Thank you, Minister. It really is quite incredible and demonstrates just how relentless the Welsh Government has been in creating job opportunities for people in Clwyd South, and, indeed, across Wales. But, Minister, how concerned are you by the loss of millions upon millions of pounds in EU funding and the impact that it could have in terms of creating valuable high-skilled jobs in Wales?
Ken Skates: What assessment has the First Minister made of the impact of Wales losing EU funding on Clwyd South?
Ken Skates: Diolch, Llywydd. Trefnydd, you'll be aware of the fabulous new metro trains that are being introduced by Merseyrail across much of the metro area of the Liverpool city region. I'd be very grateful for an update from Welsh Government regarding discussions with Merseyrail regarding the potential use of these brand new Stadler units on rail lines serving the citizens of north Wales, in...
Ken Skates: 5. How is the Welsh Government helping refugees from Ukraine to seek sanctuary in Wales? OQ59347
Ken Skates: Thank you, Minister. That really is very heartening to hear, and I'll be meeting with Ukrainian refugees in my constituency on Friday. We know that local services are utterly essential in ensuring that our guests feel welcome and secure here in Wales. Minister, I was also pleased to see the additional money that the Welsh Government is providing for local authorities to deliver these...
