Vaughan Gething: We've worked really hard over nearly a year now to try to regularise the supply since the official receiver was appointed and since there was a real threat to the power supply. There's a reason why the Deputy Presiding Officer can't ask this question even though it's in his constituency, and I've been able to update him on a range of matters outside of the Chamber. The power supply affects...
Vaughan Gething: I think the tone of your closing remark undoes some of the more positive points that you were making earlier. The Welsh Government has absolutely not abandoned workers. I've agreed to spend several million pounds—I've outlined this in previous written statements the Member will have had the opportunity to read—to actually regularise the supply. It's not a statutory responsibility of the...
Vaughan Gething: We are working with the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales to expand degree apprenticeships, moving from the pilot phase to mainstreaming, in line with our programme for government commitment.
Vaughan Gething: The Welsh Government remains fully committed to supporting micro, small and medium enterprises in all parts of Wales. They can access a wide range of information, advice and support through our Business Wales service and the Development Bank of Wales.
Vaughan Gething: Apologies, I don't have my translation, but it's written down. Can I get a headset for the follow-up? Sorry.
Vaughan Gething: No, it'll go in my ears. Thank you for the question. I understand that this will be a deeply concerning time for workers, their families and the wider Holyhead community. My officials have reached out to the company and stand ready to offer support to those affected at this distressing time. I'll have to wait for the headset for the moment, because he asked the question in Welsh.
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the question and the series of points. Starting with what I said in my opening response, my thoughts are with workers at what will be a distressing time. It's always difficult when you lose a job when you don't want to, but in particular to lose a job in dramatic circumstances, where you're unsighted and not forewarned. And there's a good reason why employment law in this...
Vaughan Gething: Well, there have been regular attempts to reach out to the company, and we've had conversations with them about the jetty and the position for cruise ships. You will recall that we reached an alternative arrangement to make sure that the season wasn't cancelled last year. Our challenge is in ensuring that the conversation is a genuine dialogue rather than an offer of support, where there...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you. It's an important point. It's often the case that, when larger businesses do cease or significantly reduce their operation, there are often other businesses in their supply chain who are left in financial distress as well. So, the ripple effect from a significant event like this can be sometimes hidden. So, I'm grateful to the Member for raising it. In terms of practical support,...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you, Llywydd. I'd like to update Members on the future of border controls in Great Britain. Following my written statement recently on 28 April, last week, Members will recall that I made a previous statement to the Senedd in January of this year on the UK Government’s plans for documentary, identity and physical checks on goods at border control posts from 1 July this year and how we...
Vaughan Gething: The UK Government Minister for Brexit Opportunities, Jacob Rees-Mogg, stated in his written statement to the UK Parliament on 28 April that the introduction of border controls threatened to increase pressure on already hard-pressed businesses and consumers, who are dealing with the rising cost of living and increased energy prices. It also risked causing disruption at our ports and to supply...
Vaughan Gething: I thank the Member for the series of questions, which I'll try to answer as rapidly as possible. In terms of the representation the Welsh Government has made to the UK Government on the cost of living, and border policy on the cost of living, we've run through this several times in the Chamber. In direct conversation that has taken place within this Government, but also representations made...
Vaughan Gething: On borders, my frustration is that we have tried to engage with UK Ministers on the rapidly evolving situation, and we have not made progress because there has not been a willingness to engage with us, as the Member recognised in his opening, and recognised that meaningful dialogue has not taken place with devolved Governments. I've indicated that my recent letter was to the Department for...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the comments and the questions. I'll again try to deal with all of them. On council spend, I've given an undertaking, following discussions with ministerial colleagues, to both councils, Pembrokeshire and the Isle of Anglesey County Council, that the cost for recruitment that they were undertaking would be covered. A handful of job offers have been made on Ynys Môn, and so...
Vaughan Gething: Yes, I think the Member makes a number of important points, both about council staff that have already been recruited and about making sure that those contracts are honoured and those people have work to do. It's also about there having been a good bit of wasted time, energy and effort in both local authorities as well, and I doubt that the staff at Pembrokeshire authority or, indeed, in Ynys...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you to Members for their contributions. I'm sorry I won't be able to respond in detail to each one of you and the points made. I should, though, at the start just make clear that the Welsh Government, to the surprise of no-one, opposes the motion. And on the amendment, whilst I agree with much of what Cefin Campbell had to say, we simply don't agree on independence being the answer. I...
Vaughan Gething: In terms of unemployment, the latest figures show that the unemployment rate in Wales was at 3 per cent, compared to a UK rate of 3.8 per cent. Over the last decade, we have helped more than 19,000 young people access good quality work through Jobs Growth Wales. More generally, Wales has the second-fastest growth of any UK country or region over the period between the recession in 2008 and...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the question. I understand, Llywydd, that you have given permission for questions 1 and 8 to be grouped. The draft regional economic framework highlights how the Welsh Government and its partners will continue to attract major investment to the Newport area. In addition, my officials work closely with both Newport council and the capital region to provide the infrastructure and...
Vaughan Gething: I have a very good and constructive relationship with the newly re-elected leader of the council of Newport, Jane Mudd, leading the Welsh Labour team to victory with the endorsement of the people of Newport. And, indeed, they rejected a range of the interesting and yet wholly unfunded and unachievable suggestions in the Welsh Conservative manifesto, including the barrage, of course, which was...
Vaughan Gething: I've visited a range of the projects that Jayne Bryant has mentioned. Indeed, it was just a few weeks ago that I was with Councillor Mudd and Jayne Bryant in the indoor market, and it's a fantastic new offer—really full and more to come. I indeed look forward to the Member opening her own office as part of that development as well. I think that there are good reasons to be positive about...
