Ken Skates: I think the First Minister and I have been clear that, in determining the Circuit of Wales, the project must stand up on its own two feet; it must deliver for the people of Blaenau Gwent and the Heads of the Valleys; and it must meet the criteria that we set out last summer, where at least 50 per cent of the finance comes from the private sector and at least 50 per cent of the guarantees, or...
Ken Skates: This is one of the most important projects on my desk at present. It’s a huge opportunity, not just for Newport, not for the city region, but for the whole of Wales. This represents our move, our transition, to the economy of the twenty-first century, where automation, where robotics, where information technology will become ever more important. My officials are in contact with IQE, but I...
Ken Skates: We work closely with the ONS on a wide range of issues, including more recently discussions around the economic development potential of the new data science campus and the development of new data apprenticeships.
Ken Skates: Well, there are considerable opportunities that could stem from collaboration in this particular field. Data are now a vital part of the global economy, and it’s clear that innovative use of data drives economic growth. There are a number of challenges to be faced, but with those challenges there are huge opportunities: the storage of data, the exploitation and use of data, and also...
Ken Skates: I think the Member’s absolutely right. This provides us with an opportunity to measure and to test our resolve to ensure that we improve wealth, not just in the aggregate, but also at an individual level, and also improve levels of well-being in both the aggregate and individual levels, so that we reduce levels of inequality in both as well. And the presence of the ONS in Newport I think...
Ken Skates: Presiding Officer, I have received news from Tesco in the past 45 minutes, which is being acted upon immediately. I’ve instructed my officials to put together a package of support for those who could be affected, but we have also established a telephone conference call between Tesco, myself and the First Minister in the next hour.
Ken Skates: Our very successful tourism strategy sets out our priorities to support the tourism industry across Wales. This includes marketing campaigns in the UK and overseas, and it includes capital development funding for new and existing tourism businesses, along with revenue funding for regional projects.
Ken Skates: And chapels, indeed—many more chapels than anywhere else. Look, I think we should just first of all recognise the success of the sector right now today. We’re seeing a record number of people visiting from overseas and we’re seeing a record number of people visiting for across the UK, spending a record amount. And in terms of the marketing budget, yes, it’s gone up by 38 per cent this...
Ken Skates: The Member makes a number of important points. In terms of the culture corridor, the A55 is one of three new internationally focused tourism routes, to be launched as the Wales Way in late 2017. The North Wales Way, the A55, which is the culture corridor, will be joined by the Cambrian Way, the A470, and the Coastal Way, the A470. What they are going to be striving to do is to capture the...
Ken Skates: Supporting a strong economy that generates sustainable employment opportunities that are accessible to all is fundamental to our ambition of delivering prosperity for all. The evidence is clear that fair, sustainable work provides the best route out of poverty and also the greatest protection against poverty for those most at risk.
Ken Skates: The Member may be interested to know that with the proposed regional model of economic development, we’ll be bringing together in a similar footprint those activities that relate to employment and skills training and skills provision, so that we have a more place-based approach to economic development and the delivery of skills provision. But there will continue to be programmes, of course,...
Ken Skates: Well, let’s just look at the figures first of all, and then I’ll come to answer the specific point about what we’re going to be doing moving forward. In terms of gross domestic household income, we’ve seen it rise faster than the UK as a whole, and in terms of GVA per head, likewise the index of production and the index of construction. What’s important is that we’ve also seen a...
Ken Skates: We are working closely and speedily with partners to deliver one of the most generous packages of investment in north Wales: more than £600 million that will improve the infrastructure right across the region.
Ken Skates: Well, I think the user group, the passenger group are absolutely right that we need to invest in rail infrastructure in the north-east of Wales. Of course, historically, the UK Government, who’s responsible for it, have shown scant regard for the needs of the region in terms of investment in rail infrastructure. That can be said for the rest of Wales as well. What we have done is to ensure...
Ken Skates: I am totally sympathetic to the concerns that the Member has, and the concerns that have been expressed widely on social media, and the frustration that’s been expressed on social media and in newspapers. I have asked for an urgent piece of work to be carried out and to be presented to me, with recommendations, before the recess, on how the response to the repair of damage can be improved,...
Ken Skates: Yes. Business Wales continues to evolve to ensure the service is meeting the objectives of the Welsh Government now and into the future. Business Wales offers a gateway to business support, along with providing direct advice, accelerated growth support, information, and guidance to SMEs in Wales.
Ken Skates: I’d like to pay tribute to the passion that the Member shows concerning business growth, not only in Neath, but across the whole of Wales. We’ve already taken steps to make it easier for Welsh businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs to access information through Business Wales. But, moving forward, I do believe that there needs to be a greater alignment of activities concerning Business...
Ken Skates: Yes. We provide over £180 million a year in franchise subsidy payments and funding for additional services across the Wales and borders network. Rail infrastructure is not devolved, but, since 2011, we have invested over £200 million into rail infrastructure in Wales.
Ken Skates: I’d be more than happy to meet with the Member and any other Member who would like to discuss stations in their particular regions or constituencies—I’ve already done that in other areas; I’ve had a number of meetings now concerning Newport provision. I’d be happy to meet with the Member. I should just say that this is an ongoing process. Once the assessment of the priority list is...
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.
