Ken Skates: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I’d like to begin by thanking Members for their contributions today and for the opportunity to speak in this debate. As has been made clear in the course of this debate, the Severn crossings are a key link in our transport and economic infrastructure, and, as part of the strategic M4 corridor, the crossings are the primary gateway to Wales, and they...
Ken Skates: Formally.
Ken Skates: Can I thank Hannah Blythyn for her question, and say that I also very much enjoy repeating the fact that north Wales is the fourth greatest place to visit on the planet, and it’s something that we should all be very proud of? In terms of the Year of Legends, 2016, the Year of Adventure, will see one of the biggest events held back for the end of the year—the segue moment where we move...
Ken Skates: I’d like to thank the Member for his very kind comments. It has been a pleasure working with the entire sector during the Year of Adventure and in particular the ambassadors who I think have done sterling work in promoting Wales overseas. The Member mentioned ZipWorld and I think what’s worth drawing attention to is that, next year, we’ll see the launch of a new unique product in...
Ken Skates: I’d like to thank the Member for his questions. I, too, am looking forward to the UEFA Champions League final, and I’m very pleased that Swansea football club remain in the premiership and, indeed, we’ll be using their occasions, their matches, to promote Wales as a place for trade and investment by inviting would-be investors to join us at some of their key matches in the present...
Ken Skates: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I’ll try to deal with the questions as succinctly as possible. It is true that this is a partnership that has grown the visitor economy. It’s not just because of good work by the Welsh Government or Visit Wales—it is down to working in close partnership with the entire sector. I think that the success of the Year of Adventure shows that, now more...
Ken Skates: Yes, there were a number of points regarding local heroes, community heroes and national legends that I think the Member raised, first of all with regard to Billy Boston. This is a matter that the Member has raised in the past, and I’d be very pleased to receive any interest from any local groups concerning an application for resource to help celebrate this particular legend. We do have, as...
Ken Skates: North Wales was recently named one of the world’s best regions by Lonely Planet. It’s apt and testimony to Visit Wales’s work that this comes at the end of the Year of Adventure, with the publication stating that North Wales had earned its place due to the transformation that the region has undergone over the last few years. World-first adventure attractions, a glorious coastal path,...
Ken Skates: Well, we meet with rail operators regularly to discuss the impact and the implications of major sporting and cultural events on the rail network, and, indeed, on the road network as well. I’m conscious that it’s not just the sporting events that can cause congestion on roads and also overcrowding on trains; cultural events can also pose problems. There was a recent incident during the...
Ken Skates: In 2016, we’ve supported a wide range of major sporting events including the World Half Marathon, Extreme Sailing Series, Tour of Britain and the Wales Rally GB. We want more major international sporting and cultural events across Wales and there are ongoing discussions with partners to identify many opportunities.
Ken Skates: Well, I would agree that electrification of the main line will undoubtedly benefit Newport. It will also benefit Cardiff, but I would also expect it to be extended in a timely fashion to Swansea, and I do hope that, in the autumn statement, there will be positive news in that regard. I’d urge the UK Government—because I’m conscious that there are now a number of delays and problems...
Ken Skates: Well, metro phase 1 is already under way, with a series of improvements to stations and to railway infrastructure. I’m conscious that the Member has been vocal about this matter since 2007, but I am delighted that this is being taken forward at pace now, and I look forward to the Member congratulating the Welsh Government on its delivery of this important project.
Ken Skates: This is a matter for which the UK Government is responsible, but I understand from them that the reduction in journey times from London to Cardiff, once the work is completed, will be approximately 17 minutes.
Ken Skates: Yes. We are investing to allow for more frequent and faster services on the line, and we are also adding new platforms at a number of stations. We have funded Network Rail to deliver the project, and they have laid most of the new track that is necessary in the next stages for work to begin on the stations themselves. Network Rail’s work on the signalling system will start immediately...
Ken Skates: Yes. We are currently procuring an operator and delivery partner as part of the Wales and borders services from 2018 and, of course, the metro. This process will also include discussions with bidders on how services from Ebbw Vale to Newport can best be delivered as part of the wider provision of the south-east Wales metro.
Ken Skates: Well, it’s for the Wales Audit Office to assess any cases that Members may have concerns about. The examples that the Member has raised are contentious issues, and we would have wished no losses to be incurred by the taxpayer. But the Wales Audit Office carries out a thorough inquiry of projects that it deems to be in the public interest, and I would expect their work to continue. I would...
Ken Skates: Well, it is essential that due diligence is taken fully into account as part of the process of determining whether a business should get Welsh Government or taxpayer support, and processes are rigorous. I am looking at ways that we can strengthen that process. I think it’s also important to recognise, though, that in terms of the support we have offered, only 4.9 per cent of the 1,110...
Ken Skates: Yes. Businesses looking to access grant support will need to complete the appropriate application and provide any necessary supporting documentation. This will usually be a business plan and relevant financial information.
Ken Skates: I’d like to thank Dawn Bowden for her question. A number of Members have, in recent weeks, raised with me questions about whether the Government could support certain projects and certain installations in their constituencies and regions. I know Neil McEvoy has recently raised the same question. What I’ll undertake to do is to write to Members with details of TISS—the criteria—but...
Ken Skates: I can confirm the latter. In fact, I’ll write to Members with an update on the tourism investment support scheme, because the criteria for support were changed. I think I’ve highlighted this in a previous session here in Plenary, or in a committee, but the criteria changed so that there was a minimum of 30 per cent repayment allocated within the award process. In terms of Ruthin Castle...
