Ken Skates: Well, it is disappointing that a gap in funding was only discovered after the project was publicly announced, but the role of S4C is to add weight to Yr Egin and act as an anchor tenant that can attract more businesses to start up and to prosper from there. And, as I’ve already said, S4C have been able to demonstrate, through a £3 million up-front rental payment, that their investment in...
Ken Skates: It’s a very interesting question, and I think it is worth reflecting, not just on this model, but also models that are emerging elsewhere in Wales. For example, we cut the ground recently at the Menai Science Park in north-west Wales, and I think that offers a similar approach where you could have vertically integrated systems that drive the growth of an anchor tenant, be it in north-west...
Ken Skates: I’d like to thank Adam Price for his questions, and say that I do think he’s absolutely right. First of all, I think there’s a temptation for many—well, for all of us—to speak as backbenchers on behalf of our respective regions and constituencies. But it’s essential to recognise that there are opportunities to drive wealth creation all across Wales. Whilst today we are talking...
Ken Skates: I’d like to thank Julie Morgan for her questions. And it would perhaps be appropriate at this point to say that any questions concerning S4C’s decision, based on their competition to relocate, whether it be to Carmarthen or Caernarfon, are for S4C to answer. Likewise, the matter of relocating from Cardiff is an issue for S4C rather than Welsh Government to address, in terms of the...
Ken Skates: Yes. I had a meeting today with the management team of Trinity Mirror South Wales, where I raised this worrying matter and expressed my concern at the proposal to close the Cardiff printing press.
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for her questions and say that I couldn’t agree more with her concerns? I also recognise the important work of her committee and the increasing importance that it will take in the coming years in analysing the media landscape and the important role that the print media plays. This proposal is currently out to consultation and I will be responding formally....
Ken Skates: Yes, I firmly believe our steel industry has a sustainable future in Wales, and we are fully committed to doing all we can to achieve this. However, we will not respond to media speculation as Tata explores options for the future of the plants in Wales.
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his question and say that I do understand the concerns that will have been presented as a consequence of recent media reports? But there are many, many reports that are circulating at the moment, including some that are more positive. I reflect on one just on Friday, for example, in ‘The Guardian’ that suggested that Tata was looking imminently at announcing...
Ken Skates: I couldn’t agree more with the Member. I think he speaks eloquently about the need to capture security at a time when media speculation is causing something of a rollercoaster ride of emotions within many families and households that rely on the steel sector. And I will most certainly be requesting a meeting with Ratan Tata to follow up my letter to him, which was sent yesterday. The...
Ken Skates: Well, it would seem to contradict it. What we do know—. The facts are that there is a strategic plan at the Port Talbot site and, as a consequence, a significant—more than four-dozen people were, or are, in the process of being recruited directly by Tata in Port Talbot. I am happy to publish my letter to Ratan Tata once he has received it, and I would hope that it will be received, if not...
Ken Skates: I thank the Member for the question. I’ll say my concern is the long-term employment of the people who work in the steel sector, and as far as pensions are concerned, Tata has restated that it is seeking a solution for the British Steel pension scheme. Again, we’d urge all parties towards achieving a satisfactory solution that is in the best interest of all members of the scheme.
Ken Skates: Move.
Ken Skates: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and can I start by thanking Members for their contributions to this important debate today? As we’ve already heard from colleagues on all sides of the Chamber today, town centres are at the heart of local communities, providing places to live, shop, do business and to socialise. As Jenny Rathbone outlined, town centres and high streets bring people...
Ken Skates: Yes.
Ken Skates: I think it stands to reason, with £10 million available to assist small businesses, that this Government will help, wherever possible, with the challenge that some small businesses face due to revaluation. We will continue to do that and we will assess any means of assisting those businesses that are hardest hit. But revaluation is not a tax-raising measure, and I think the Member himself...
Ken Skates: Yes. We’ve been working with Wrexham County Borough Council and other local authorities in north-east Wales for some time to help identify and support a sustainable local bus network. We’ll continue to work with them and with others, including Bus Users Cymru and Business Wales, to help to create circumstances in which a sustainable bus network can be achieved.
Ken Skates: Yes, the Member will be aware of local controversy that accompanied the announcement of RJ’s of Wem’s contract with the council. Wrexham County Borough Council went into a contract with RJ’s in the knowledge that the directors were formerly overseeing GHA Coaches. Now, the loss of the operating licence means that Wrexham council will be responsible for assessing local circumstances and...
Ken Skates: I think the criticism specifically of Flintshire County Council was politically motivated, if I may say so, because there are other local authorities utilising GHA’s services. The fact of the matter is that Flintshire County Council—actually, unlike other local authorities—have retained a service support grant of over £1 million. As a consequence, they have been able to restore...
Ken Skates: Yes. The Circuit of Wales is close to submitting a revised bid, following my challenge to them in July to ensure any support provided by the taxpayer is proportionate and fair. Once a formal bid has been received, I will provide a further update to Members.
Ken Skates: Yes, I do recognise the enthusiasm and support for the project. And, of course, I share the frustration of many about how long the project is taking. But it’s important to realise that this is a privately financed project, and the pace is not being driven by Government, nor is it in the control of Welsh Government. So, I would like to see a clear decision point by the company as early as...
