Ken Skates: This is, in part, what I was just going to come on to in my final point: the important structural element of the Welsh economy that needs to be resolved as part of a new economic strategy. We need to ensure that productivity increases. We need to ensure that our manufacturing base, in particular, is future-proofed against automation. And, crucially, in regard to avoiding dormitory...
Ken Skates: Is it not true that you campaigned against that scheme?
Ken Skates: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. In May 2015, I announced a review of support for publishing and literature in Wales, chaired by Professor Medwin Hughes. This is the first time that an independent review has considered the Welsh Government’s overall support for publishing and literature. A review of support for books from Wales was commissioned in 2014, but no independent panel has...
Ken Skates: As Professor Hughes himself said, at the core of this review is the opportunity to celebrate Wales and the creative power of literature to describe, interpret and celebrate our identity. That creative power is of great value, both on a national and international stage. The proposed changes will allow the excellent organisations that underpin our current infrastructure to excel in the areas...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Suzy Davies for her questions and for her contribution? Granted, this is an extensive publication. Approximately half of the 200 pages provide the evidence that has informed the recommendations, and it’s worth stating at the outset that the response to the consultation was actually one of the most successful that’s ever been conducted. Something in the region of 820...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Dai Lloyd for his questions and his contribution? Given that this is an extensive report and many Members have not had an opportunity today to read it in full yet or to absorb the detail, I’d be more than happy to bring forward a debate in Government time to examine this report in more detail. Scrutiny of the report will also include further discussions with the national bodies...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Lee Waters for his question? So, these are not insignificant challenges that are being presented to the Welsh Books Council, but if they are met, they could deliver enormous benefits for the publishing sector and for writers. I think it’s fair to say that many recommendations that are outlined by the panel concerning the Welsh Books Council relate to the need to innovate more to...
Ken Skates: Sure. In terms of the publication itself, it is exhaustive, but it’s also very detailed and provides a very thorough analysis of publishing and literature in Wales. The change that the Member refers to in terms of digital is captured in a number of sections, and there are recommendations, not just for Welsh Government and the Welsh Books Council, but for a whole number of organisations, and...
Ken Skates: Can I thank David Melding for his contribution? If my diary allows, I’d very much like to take up the invitation in July. Something in the region of 1,000 people in Wales are employed in bookshops and by publishers. This is a significant number, but, as I said earlier, it’s of greater significance to some of those rural communities that really do depend on a vibrant town centre or town...
Ken Skates: Yes. The UEFA Champions League final was the spectacular culmination of a four-day celebration of football in our capital city, and the eyes of the world were on Cardiff, for what was a spectacular Team Wales effort, delivered by an excellent team from across the capital.
Ken Skates: Absolutely. It’s quite timely, as, last week, I listened to Jason Mohammad give a speech in north Wales, where he talked about his pride on the evening of the Champions League final in his city, the city that he grew up in. In fact, he was an Ely boy. And it struck me that the event not only served to encourage economic prosperity, but also to enhance pride in our capital city and in our...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his question, but point out that it was not a lack of ambition that led to the decision not to bid for the 2026 games? It was a lack of resource as a consequence of years upon years of austerity and budget cuts to this Welsh Government. That said, I’ve been very clear that we remain in a position where we would wish to examine every opportunity to bid not just for...
Ken Skates: I am pleased to say that we are making good progress, particularly with regulatory matters, and we remain on course to announce and launch of the development bank later this year.
Ken Skates: The development bank’s main purpose, of course, will be to seek out where there’s market failure and to address it, and we know that micro, small and start-up finance is a particular problem in rural Wales—those areas of Wales that the Member so brilliantly represents and serves. Now, I’ve charged Finance Wales to develop a location strategy that will take account of the emerging...
Ken Skates: This power was designed to enable local authorities to do all they can to protect the historic environment in those areas of Wales that they represent. I’ve not had an opportunity yet to ascertain whether it’s been effective in the short period that it’s been available. But it was our expectation, based on the consultation that we had with stakeholders, in particular with the Welsh...
Ken Skates: The Member raises a very good point actually, because one of the key strengths of the national library is the exemplary level of skills in digitisation that is so apparent at the Aberystwyth library. In terms of visitor numbers, I wish to see an increase in both online visitors and visitors to the actual library itself. The advantage of online visitors is that they can be used to push up the...
Ken Skates: The creative industries in Wales are an incredible success and we should applaud the leadership within the sector. The sector is growing faster here in Wales than it is anywhere else in the UK, and that’s down to a relentless focus in promoting Wales and the skills within the sector for, in particular, television drama. In the future, we are looking at a huge slate of activity through Bad...
Ken Skates: I believe that the facility the Member refers to is the proposed Cardiff arena. This is not a proposal from Welsh Government. I think there’s been some mischief made by one of the opposition Members—not in the Member’s party—regarding the proposal and who it comes from. It’s actually a proposal Cardiff council is looking at at the moment, and they’re examining the potential of a...
Ken Skates: We do already have a good number of facilities within the capital city and, of course, we will soon have the biggest and best convention centre in the south-west of the UK, but there remains a gap in the market that a new arena could address and could fill, and my officials continue to work with Cardiff council as they scrutinise various options, and in due course, I’m sure that a clearer...
Ken Skates: The decision will be taken by the Cabinet next Tuesday, and it’s my intention to ensure that Members are informed of that decision as soon as possible thereafter. In terms of the due diligence reports, there’s not just one; there are several. This an issue that we’re currently considering: whether the due diligence can be published, not just for Members but for a wider audience. It is...
