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.
Ken Skates: Yes. The Port Talbot waterfront enterprise zone will help us exploit new economic opportunities and support existing businesses. We have already launched a business rates scheme, which, combined with our wider support, provides an enhanced incentive for new investment and growth.
Ken Skates: The health of the supply chain is enormously important to the region. Working in conjunction with the supply chain sub-group of the taskforce, 55 businesses linked to the Tata supply chain have requested additional support; 44 businesses have been visited and a bespoke diagnosis of the need of each has been undertaken. We’ve made available, as the Member is aware, business rates support,...
Ken Skates: I know that my officials are in constant dialogue with local businesses, but I will check on that specific case. We’ve established the enterprise zone at Port Talbot based around the existing and potential employment sites in the area, which have significant capacity for supporting further business investment. The Member is possibly aware that these are Baglan energy park, Baglan industrial...
Ken Skates: I can follow up the question with an analysis of what those 44 businesses that have taken up our offer of help actually wish to be helped with; it may well be that it is business rates or it might be another form of support that we can offer. I’ll provide the Member with as much information that I’m reasonably able to so that we are all better informed about what it is that businesses in...
Ken Skates: Wide-ranging support is available through our Business Wales service for small businesses in the Caerphilly area and across Wales. Our absolute focus remains on supporting enterprise, jobs and the economy.
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his question, and also agree that Gareth Jones is indeed a great captain of Welsh ICE? He is also a native of Clwyd South constituency. Networking and shared space forms a key pillar of the approach being developed under the regional entrepreneurship acceleration programme, chaired by Simon Gibson. As part of the evidence being considered, a 12-week pre-start...
