Ken Skates: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'm very, very grateful indeed for the opportunity to respond to this debate. I'd like to thank Members for their thoughtful contributions. Today, we have two debates back to back that I think reflect the twin goals contained in our economic action plan: one of supercharging the industries of tomorrow as we enter the, or as we proceed through the, fourth industrial...
Ken Skates: I was struck by a number of contributions, including what David Melding said. His thoughtful contribution referred to the fact that there are many social, psychological and political impacts that the health of the foundational economy has. I think the latest publication concerning—or the latest excellent publication concerning—the foundational economy by Manchester University Press...
Ken Skates: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Again, it's been a very thoughtful debate and I am very grateful to the committee for its work. Russell George at the outset said that if you fail to prepare, you should prepare to fail. This is something that was often said when I was in the officers' training corps. It's something that equally applies to economic development and many other areas of service provision....
Ken Skates: —these are the industries of the future. Yes, with delight.
Ken Skates: Indeed. I think the Member is absolutely right—there is considerable market failure in Wales, and this also applies to other areas of technological service provision. The reason that we've had to intervene so deeply in terms of superfast broadband is because of the market failure that we've had to tackle. I think the Member makes a very important point about the automotive sector. We...
Ken Skates: Our plans for investment across Wales are detailed in the national transport finance plan 2017 update. Transport for Wales are presently responsible for delivering the Wales and borders rail services, which includes increasing services to two trains per hour along the Ebbw line from 2021, benefiting the communities of Islwyn.
Ken Skates: Supercomputing Wales will establish two centres of excellence at Cardiff and Swansea universities that will enable the research community and industry to benefit from state-of-the-art computing facilities. It will help expand scientific research in Wales and generate further research funding and inward investment.
Ken Skates: In 2016, the last year figures are available for, there were 12,115 business births in Wales, the highest since records began. During the last Assembly term, the number of business births in Wales increased by 47.3 per cent, compared to a UK increase of 58.5 per cent. Through Business Wales and Be The Spark, we are committed to supporting the best environment for entrepreneurs to thrive.
Ken Skates: Our economic action plan is our overarching strategy for growing our economy and helping businesses to develop, grow and prosper across Wales. This includes business support, advice through Business Wales and investment in strategic infrastructure.
Ken Skates: The national transport finance plan, updated in 2017, sets out our programme for the next three years and beyond, across Wales. A study to address congestion on the M4 corridor is under way. My officials propose to update you on air quality issues around the M4 in Port Talbot in December.
Ken Skates: My officials are currently considering the independent inspector’s report in order to prepare advice for my consideration. I anticipate announcing my decision on the outcome of the scheme shortly. Should the project proceed, construction is planned to start at the beginning of 2020 and take approximately three and a half years to complete.
Ken Skates: In August this year, I made £125,000 of funding available to progress survey work and business case development for the Rhondda tunnel. The first progress report from the authority was received in October and confirmed that a project board has been established and work is currently being commissioned.
Ken Skates: Diolch. Improving the availability and quality of work in all parts of Wales is absolutely essential in our aim of tackling regional inequalities. And through our economic action plan, we are taking action to empower people and regions to benefit from and also to contribute to inclusive growth.
Ken Skates: Well, I think it's worth saying that these issues are discussed at the Cabinet sub-committee on European Union withdrawal, and my officials and I—and, indeed, I think all Ministers across Government—recognise the very grave risk to rural jobs and to communities in the event in particular of a 'no deal' Brexit. I think it's fair to say that the red meat processing sector itself is most at...
Ken Skates: Well, the work by the local authority is progressing in terms of the development of the south-west Wales metro, and, for our part, we've also enrolled Professor Barry to ensure that projects that can be funded by the UK Government are brought forward with a compelling business case as soon as possible. The Member raises a number of interesting prospects that could attract funding from...
Ken Skates: Yes. I am very pleased to say that we're currently considering comments made by statutory and non-statutory stakeholders, and these comments will help me decide on how we should progress this particular scheme and whether a public local inquiry will be required.
Ken Skates: The Member is absolutely right; we are working hard to resolve what is a small number of objections to the scheme, and the Member is also right that the current bridge was not designed to carry the current volume of traffic, and so it's a major pinch point on the A487. And, as the Member highlighted, the road is also often closed due to flooding, with diversions taking place that leave...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Helen Mary Jones for her question? I will commit today to issuing a statement concerning the particular project and whether a public inquiry is required once we have finalised our discussions with the objectors.
Ken Skates: Yes, I can confirm that I've met now with the chief executive of Transport for Wales on two occasions since I last answered the Member's questions. We covered a great range of issues, including those that he identified. I'd be happy to provide Members with updates not just on the timetabling matters, but also on issues concerning the governance of Transport for Wales, the recruitment process...
Ken Skates: Yes, absolutely. The Member raises a number of questions. In terms of the trains, we inherited the trains that had been operated by Arriva Trains Wales when Transport for Wales took over the franchise, but we were also very clear in articulating that there will be £40 million spent on improving those existing trains whilst we await new rolling stock. On new rolling stock, we anticipate...
