Vaughan Gething: I think there are lots of positives that Go North Wales actually deliver, and when we look at what we do in different regions of Wales to promote Wales, I think there are good stories and learnings from each of us. I am, of course, aware of Jim Jones; he has prolific and very strident views on a range of subjects. With Visit Wales, we have a similar approach and model to Cadw and Creative...
Vaughan Gething: That’s part of what we look to listen to as well, because those businesses recognise they have an interest in seeing a community that survives and supports the sector. It’s why we have within our co-operation agreement the work we’re doing on the balance of the impact of the visitor economy, to make sure that it’s a positive for the communities that house those visitor attractions,...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you to Members for contributing to today's half-an-hour debate. It won't be a surprise that I disagree with the Member's essential proposal, but he's entitled to bring his proposal forward. That's part of what this Chamber is for. I was, however, a little disappointed at the disparaging references to civil servants in the opening. The visitor economy is a...
Vaughan Gething: Well, there is more of a practical conversation to take place now. So, I'm the lead Minister in this area, but, as I've said earlier, it does take in a range of other ministerial portfolios as well—the climate change Minister and the finance Minister being the most obvious ones, as well as the Minister for north Wales—because the devolved reliefs and powers that we'd be looking to...
Vaughan Gething: Well, not only do we have a freight strategy that we're developing, but I'd remind the Member again that we need to get through the next stage in the process. We need to understand whether the headline claims made in the bids—and they are good bids that we've been happy to support through the next stage—to see the detail of that, to understand more about the detail before we make plans on...
Vaughan Gething: Yes. On your final point, I'll of course make sure that north Wales Members are engaged. It's been one of the features, actually, that a range of partners from more than one party have been interested in both of the bids, and I want to try to maintain that cross-party support and expectation that the bidders will deliver on what they've promised in terms of the jobs dividend and the quality...
Vaughan Gething: With respect, I think the Member is being consistent in his broad scepticism over free ports, but I think he's judging them on a model that has existed previously, and not the one we've been talking about, the one where we've got into the prospectus that everyone has to bid against and succeed against where fair work is not negotiable, it is part of the expectation that you have to deliver;...
Vaughan Gething: We're not going to be able to make a formal announcement on the basis of the free-port bid moving forward to the next stage. Understanding the level of economic activity that the free port can deliver—we'll have greater clarity on that once the outline business case is returned. So, we're going to do exactly what we said we'd do, in understanding whether it moves through the next stage...
Vaughan Gething: Well, there'll still be customs arrangements in place; these won't be customs-free places. Part of the challenge will be, like I said, reliefs and incentives, rather than saying that rules simply don't apply. I have the fortunate responsibility within the Welsh Government of having borders as part of my suite of responsibilities. So, I'm very much looking at arrangements with the island of...
Vaughan Gething: We've been very clear in the bidding process, and in going through all of these stages, that the bids have to be able to match that—we've been very clear. That's why the regard to the future generations and well-being Act is in the bidding process—you won't find that in England—it's why the points about fair work—you won't find those in England—you won't find the points about the...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the comments and questions. Look, on your point around the approach we took, we were very clear that parity had to be delivered for Wales or we wouldn’t be prepared to sign up to a free-ports programme. I think we wasted the first year in a rather circular argument where one of the previous Secretaries of State for Wales said that there would be a free port whether the Welsh...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the comments and the couple of questions in there as well. I should start by saying that I wish Paul Davies well. I look forward to him returning to the Chamber. I also suspect he'll have sent a map to the leader of the Welsh Conservatives. I saw the video in Cardiff Bay that suggested that the free port was in Carmarthen; I think Milford is still in Pembrokeshire. But...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. On 23 March, the Welsh Government and the UK Government jointly announced that the Celtic free port and the porthladd rhydd Ynys Môn Anglesey free port will proceed to the next stage of the Welsh free-ports programme process. This outcome was reached through a transparent and competitive application process, with selection being jointly undertaken by both...
Vaughan Gething: Actually, when it comes to our apprenticeships programme, we're in a really positive position, compared to England, on the numbers comparatively, and also when it comes to completions as well, and, actually, we are expanding our programme. It's a regular topic of conversation whenever I go before the committee for scrutiny. You can guarantee that Hefin David will ask me about degree...
Vaughan Gething: The Welsh Government is committed to increasing the number of apprenticeships undertaken by raising awareness of the programme. We promote the benefits to both employers and learners through a range of marketing and communications activities throughout the year, and, of course, there are regular topics and questions in the Chamber and beyond that help to raise the profile of the programme.
Vaughan Gething: Well, actually, I do maintain an interest, and I'm thinking about some of my own past, when it comes to wool. My mother used to knit our jumpers for going to school and my father was a rural vet, so I spent quite a long time seeing my father tend to sheep; it was fun, at the time, seeing my father going through what was then a sheep-dipping process as well. So, I do understand a little bit...
Vaughan Gething: This Government is committed to backing Welsh businesses. As we emerge from the long shadow of the coronavirus pandemic, one of our priorities is to continue to support Wales’s economic recovery. We will take a team Wales approach to creating a fairer, greener and more prosperous Wales right across the country, including, of course, in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire.
Vaughan Gething: Well, of course the 20's Plenty campaign was predicated on an improvement to air quality and improvement to safety as well. I think pedestrians are five times more likely to lose their lives if they're struck at 30 mph compared to 20 mph. So, it's not just a simple one-off, and, of course, I don't believe you were a Member at the time, but, in 2020, in a debate, the majority of the...
Vaughan Gething: I have regular meetings and conversations with the Minister for Climate Change. 'Llwybr Newydd', our national transport delivery plan, sets out a vision for a transport system that is good for society, the environment and the economy. That will further help to support economic well-being through thriving towns, cities and villages.
Vaughan Gething: I'm very proud of our record in the more than two decades of devolution in working with businesses. You've never heard a First Minister or an economy Minister here in Wales refer to disagreements with businesses by saying, as a previous, a former, Prime Minister who still wants to be the Prime Minister, referring to 'eff business' if you don't agree with them. That's not the approach we've...
