Ken Skates: In terms of innovation, Innovation Point and other organisations or other initiatives have been able to drive the amount of innovation and enterprise in Wales to new highs. That said, we do need to catch up with many parts of the UK: of that, there is no doubt. But between 1995 and 2015, the average annual increase in real terms, by businesses investing in enterprise research and development,...
Ken Skates: We’re encouraging all of the bidders to engage as widely as possible with current stakeholders and potential stakeholders in the future to ensure that investment in the new franchise and in the metro is maximised and that that investment is channelled in the right way to make sure that services are as efficient and as modern as possible.
Ken Skates: Yes, I would agree with the Member. That is absolutely essential. We wish to see a strong relationship developed between those who are responsible for the tracks and those who are responsible for the vehicles that run along them. I think what the Secretary of State for Transport recently announced about bringing together in some form Network Rail and rail operators is very interesting. Of...
Ken Skates: We monitor progress across a range of indicators, including the relative income measure of poverty, and indicators for employment, for education, skills, and also for health. These reflect the cross-cutting nature of our approach to prosperity for all.
Ken Skates: Yes, I am. It’s proven that the best way to prevent people from falling into poverty, and the best way to assist people in getting out of poverty, is through securing them quality, sustainable work. And, for that reason, I think it is important that I lead on the prosperity for all agenda. That said, there are a number of factors that can affect individuals who are not in work, or who have...
Ken Skates: I’d very much like to congratulate the company in my colleague’s constituency. Welsh Hills Bakery is a remarkable success story. I believe I visited the company back in the autumn of last year, for their sixtieth anniversary celebrations. And I do believe that the foundation economy will play an increasingly important role in offering all individuals accessibility to the workplace, and...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his question, and say that, in spite of the longest period of severe austerity that our country has faced—and which the Member and his party have been cheerleaders of—we have actually reduced the poverty rate in Wales by 2 per cent since 1998-99? In terms of the mytravelpass scheme, I was pleased to be able to extend that whilst we consult on what I intend to be...
Ken Skates: We are working with local partners to support business growth, to improve infrastructure, and to create a more attractive economic environment across the region.
Ken Skates: Yes, I would agree with the Member; we are now entering a critical period for the Swansea city deal, and over the past few months, I know that a considerable amount of work has gone into preparing for the challenge process, and that there has been a concerted effort to attract the views of the private sector. But I do believe that the private sector must be fully part of city deal...
Ken Skates: I’d like to thank the Member for his question and commend him for organising the seminar that took place in his constituency. In-work skills training opportunities, provided through schemes such as Essential Skills in the Workplace and the Wales Union Learning Fund, have proven to be absolutely vital for workers across Wales in gaining valuable skills that enable them to progress up a...
Ken Skates: Yes, that funding is coming from my own main expenditure group and I’m pleased to be able to support a project that doesn’t just have economic benefits for the region, but it’s my view, and it was the view of my colleagues, that is also has significant Welsh language, education, social and cultural contributions to make to the region as well.
Ken Skates: Wales enjoyed two record-breaking years in 2014 and 2015, and then again in 2016, with visitor numbers crossing the 10 million mark for the first time back in 2014 and growing still further with record spend from staying visitors in 2015. South Wales West has been a significant contributor to that growth, with its wide range of heritage offers and beautiful landscapes and coastal regions.
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for her question and congratulate Rhossili beach? It’s a magnificent coup and I think it’s fair to say that it is now recognised around Britain and around Europe as one of the continent’s finest beaches. We’re keen to ensure that more people can visit Wales in a convenient way for that reason. We continue to support Cardiff Airport, we continue to support rail...
Ken Skates: Our heritage is remarkably important in our cultural and tourism offer and Neath abbey is a very important component of the heritage landscape in the Member’s region. I’m very pleased to say that Cadw are now supporting Neath abbey by having a dedicated in-house craft team working at the site. As a consequence, some areas of the abbey at the moment are inaccessible to the public, but with...
Ken Skates: Yes. Skills, connective infrastructure and innovation are key drivers of productivity and growth. These are central to our approach to economic development across all parts of Wales.
Ken Skates: Yes, the Member raises an important point. I’ve met with representative organisations—those who represent the wood manufacturing sector. It’s my belief that the wood manufacturing sector is not just good for the economy; it’s also actually good for the visitor economy more specifically, because the Member will know, from his close proximity to the Clwydian range, that a forested area...
Ken Skates: Yes, absolutely, Llandegla, as you point out. It is important that we can find opportunities to replant what has often been lost. For that reason, I’m working with the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs to identify more opportunities to replant lost timber, not just, as I say, for the purpose of supporting the manufacturing sector, but also to support the visitor economy as...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for her question? The Member is absolutely right to identify infrastructure as being a major enabler for further economic growth across north Wales. The development of a new corridor and the potential road widening of the A494 does indeed form part of a £200 million proposed investment and part of the biggest package of infrastructure investment in transport in north...
Ken Skates: I think that’s an unfair assessment that, actually, demonstrates a lack of confidence and, dare I say it, pride in the Welsh economy. The fact is that the GVA of the Mersey Dee area, the north-east of Wales, and the local authority areas of Cheshire and the Wirral, amount to something in the region of 50 per cent of the GVA of Wales as a whole. Between them, they are huge economic forces,...
Ken Skates: Our measures for improving our transport infrastructure across all parts of Wales, including the Swansea bay region, are set out in the national transport finance plan.
