Ken Skates: Look, I should just say at the outset that the development of SMRs will not make up for the potential loss of 9,000 jobs across north Wales and the rest of Wales. It simply will not. It will contribute to filling the gap, but one project alone, I'm afraid, is not the silver bullet. Of course, Innovate UK has been heavily involved of late in activities here in Wales. We look for every and all...
Ken Skates: Yes. I recognise the points made by the Member for Clywd West. I think it's just important to restate the importance of finding a favourable funding model for the marine energy sector if we're going to take forward any of the proposals that have been put on the table, whether that's in the Swansea bay area or north Wales. I am aware of a number of proposals for tidal lagoons around Wales. I...
Ken Skates: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, for this opportunity to speak about the impact of a 'no deal Brexit' on the transportation of goods and people and the substantial work the Welsh Government has been undertaking and co-ordinating to understand and mitigate the risk of disruption. As we've heard a number of times this afternoon—and I make no apology for repeating it—we have long opposed...
Ken Skates: The EU Commission has proposed a temporary solution in the event of no deal, which allows UK and EU HGVs to continue moving goods across the border on the basis of mutual recognition until the end of this calendar year. So, this is, of course, only a stay of execution. More clarity is needed about the future arrangements and the implications of permit restrictions, including what they could...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his contribution and for his questions? I think he makes a number of important points. Perhaps if I can begin with the latter points and latter questions that he raised first, North Wales Police are part of the group that we've established in the north west of Wales to look at the future operations of the port, and, along with North Wales Police, there are other...
Ken Skates: Diolch. I think there are a number of really important points that Rhun ap Iorwerth has raised this afternoon. First of all, on the potential of co-investment, the Member is absolutely right that the potential 'no deal' scenario would lead to questions about investment in TEN-T routes. However, I've asked my officials to meet with potential investors next week who are looking at Holyhead...
Ken Skates: May I thank Joyce Watson for her contribution? I agree entirely with everything that she said. If I could just add to some of the points that she raised. In terms of rail transport, of course, there will be timetabling challenges if there are significant delays at ports and disruption to the movement of goods. We saw only last year what happens when timetabling changes go horribly wrong. So,...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his contribution and his questions? First of all, I don't think anybody voted for additional bureaucracy or higher insurance premiums. I don't think anybody voted to have their holidays disrupted because of arrangements concerning driver licences and the demand for proof that they have certain permits. And in terms of this simply being a matter of progressing...
Ken Skates: Whilst I am responsible for civil enforcement of road traffic contraventions legislation, the planning and local government Minister has an interest, via planning specifications, for the operation, management and layout of local authority car parks and the £3 million funding for a pilot to end town-centre car parking charges.
Ken Skates: Diolch. My officials met with the company management on Monday, along with Anglesey council representatives and the local Member of Parliament, Albert Owen. The meeting was very constructive and all parties have now agreed to work together in an effort to retain employment at the site. We are also ready to provide support to the employees throughout the consultation period.
Ken Skates: Can I thank Rhun ap Iorwerth for raising this important question for his constituents and perhaps, first of all, give some background to the decision that's been made by the company and then highlight some of the options that—collaboratively with the company and with the Anglesey council officials that the Member refers to—we are looking at taking forward, including the support that might...
Ken Skates: I thank Mark Isherwood for his question, and he is absolutely right: there is no end in sight in terms of the decline in demand for the particular product that's produced at the Amlwch site, and he's also right—and as I have already stated—that there's limited space on the site. However, what we're looking at doing is diversifying and switching from what is a declining product—there's a...
Ken Skates: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Thank you in particular for agreeing to this debate on the future of Wales's railways. I do think that it's an exciting time right now, seeing that we are in control of many of Wales's rail services, and I think, as a consequence, we can look forward to delivering a step change in terms of service provision, improvements at stations and, also, new rolling...
Ken Skates: The context for rail delivery in Wales is complex, fragmented and underfunded. The current railway settlement was designed before the advent of devolution. Although some efforts have been made to evolve it, the current settlement is still a reflection of the times in which it was created. Twenty years on from devolution, the Secretary of State for Transport in Westminster retains ultimate...
Ken Skates: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'm very pleased to be able to respond to many Members who've shown great interest and spoken with passion about rail services in Wales and, indeed, across Britain. I'm just going to deal first and foremost though with some of the misinformation and false statements that have been made concerning the service that Transport for Wales are managing and also historic...
Ken Skates: Diolch Dirprwy Lywydd, and can I thank all Members for their contributions to this important debate today? This motion is most welcome and also very consistent with the Welsh Government's position on the steel industry, and so it's my pleasure to support it. I especially enjoyed the many reflections on the history of our steel-making activities here in Wales, with David Rees, Jack Sargeant...
Ken Skates: After the UK and Ireland, the primary market for UK-produced steel is, of course, Europe. When we exit the EU, it is therefore vital that the steel industry in Wales is not disadvantaged through unnecessary trade barriers such as additional customs, tariffs, quotas or technical barriers to trade. The steel sector is highly dependent on free trade, but, equally importantly, on the rules such...
Ken Skates: Moved.
Ken Skates: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. It's a great privilege and honour to be able to respond to Members today in this debate. I'd like to thank Members for their contributions and I think Nick Ramsay is absolutely right: prosperity is dependent on more than just the levers in one department within Government. However, I am very pleased to be able to respond to this debate. At the outset, I'd like to say...
Ken Skates: Well, can I thank Rhun ap Iorwerth for his question? I'd dearly love to see many of our railway lines reopen, including the Amlwch line. What's important is that we pursue the UK Government money that's required in order to open lines in a way that sees local authorities working together with Welsh Government, and in doing so, that we develop strategic approaches in order to have the best...
