Ken Skates: Yes. I fully recognise the importance of cross-border connectivity for the social and economic benefit of both sides of the border. We are engaged with various partners across all modes to seek to maximise the benefits that connectivity can bring across the whole of Wales.
Ken Skates: Yes, I would agree to that meeting, and I’d like to thank the Member for bringing this to my attention. I know that he’s given it considerable focus in his time as Assembly Member, and we’re continuing to work with Highways England regarding that particular stretch, and we will continue to meet with them to promote joint working and to develop feasibility studies for future cross-border...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for her question, and say that the economy of north Wales has phenomenal potential? It is our gateway to the world and we wish to see it take flight. We have begun work to advance the development of a north-east Wales metro system. It’s important that we have connectivity across the whole of the region to maximise the opportunities further west and to provide...
Ken Skates: First of all, can I welcome the Member back to the Chamber, and say that rail electrification is crucially important to the economy of south Wales, indeed, to the economy of the whole of Wales, and I’ll be pleased to be able to present Members with a written update on this matter?
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his question and say that we declared very publicly that we believe the tolls should be in the hands of the Welsh Government. Now, it’s estimated that removing the tolls would boost productivity in Wales by something in the region of £100 million or more every year, and I can see no justification for continuing to disadvantage Welsh businesses once the concession...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his question and congratulate him on his appointment as well? Indeed, can I congratulate the other two Members of Plaid Cymru who have been appointed to shadow me? Having three shadows makes me feel like a marked man, I must say. With regard to the specific questions that the Member raises, we will be developing a new economic strategy and I would hope that you...
Ken Skates: Well, well, well, we shouldn’t be surprised that the Member wishes to talk down the Welsh economy, but the very fact of the matter is that when we ignore the selective figures that he chooses to adopt and when we look at what’s happened since 1999, which is a fair indicator to begin with, there has been an 89 per cent increase in Welsh exports, compared to an increase of just 69 per cent...
Ken Skates: Plaid Cymru wanting to go back to the 1980s to create the WDA and go back to quango heaven: no, we prefer accountability to sit with the Welsh Government. When it comes to exports, one other factor that’s worth bearing in mind is that we saw some categories soar in recent times—we saw machinery specialised for particular industries exports up 30 per cent, we saw road vehicles up 21 per...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his question, and also congratulate him on his appointment? I look forward to working with him in the years to come to ensure that we have a stronger, more secure economy in Wales. The automotive sector is a crucially important sector across Wales. In particular, for tourism, it contributes enormously to the success of our major events portfolio, which, in turn,...
Ken Skates: I’d like to thank the Member for his supplementary question and say that this is part of a negotiation that’s taking place—in terms of the commercial negotiations taking place—in such a way that I can’t comment on the details. However, I have now met with my colleague, Lesley Griffiths, to discuss this, and, as a consequence of that, I’m pleased to say that Natural Resources Wales...
Ken Skates: Yes, I’ll commit to doing that. Actually, the national park authority is on my steering committee for the Year of Adventure, so I’ll be able to raise it with people in person as well, and I would also commit to providing a statement on Wales Rally GB and the future of the automotive sport in Wales.
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his kind comments about my appointment and wish him well in his role, as well, in the Assembly? There can be no guarantee that that money would come to Wales. I rather fear that it will be squirrelled away to places like Wiltshire rather than come here to Wales. I think it’d probably end up in the Cotswolds rather than Cymru. There is no guarantee that Wales would...
Ken Skates: The Member claims that Europe has not offered hope—what Europe has offered is the longest period of sustained peace in the history of the continent. It has offered hope and it has delivered peace and prosperity right across the continent. Voting out of Europe next week would certainly cause compromise for the steel industry in Wales and the UK. The Member may not wish to believe me, but he...
Ken Skates: Let’s reflect on where we are right now. There is without a doubt, in my view, a new momentum in the Welsh economy. Tourism figures I’ve already mentioned—they’re up, employment is up, FDI up, exports up, business start-ups up, airport passenger numbers up. Apprenticeship completion rates—they’ve risen, too. The only thing that we could guarantee if we left Europe next week is...
Ken Skates: Our transport priorities are set out in the national transport finance plan, which includes a number of road improvements for north Wales.
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for her question and say that the original intention was indeed to publish draft orders during the springtime of this year, but because of ongoing discussions, which the Member has mentioned, with Natural Resources Wales to address environmental mitigation measures, the publication date is now planned for August, subject to my approval? But I can guarantee that I will...
Ken Skates: I’ll thank the Member for his question and stress that we have been engaging with local communities throughout this process, and with landowners during the design and development, to understand the likely impact of the scheme on properties and businesses in the area and we are keen to continue this engagement moving forward.
Ken Skates: We have made business representative organisations aware of the alternative dispute resolution regulations, both during the UK Government’s consultation process and since its implementation.
Ken Skates: Yes. I’d like to thank the Member for her question on a very important issue. Alternative dispute resolution can indeed speed up settlement, which means less cost, less time and less stress than would be involved in taking matters to court. It’s a useful additional avenue open to consumers when appropriate. It’s important that consumers can have confidence in their transactions. Greater...
Ken Skates: I’d be happy to review the efficacy of the support and advice that we provide and to write to the Member with the outcome of that review.
