Ken Skates: Can I thank Jack Sargeant for his questions and his contribution? The UK Government has been making very recent soundings that would suggest it is willing to be more interventionist than it has been since 2010. I would urge them to use steel and the need to intervene in what's happening to the UK steel industry to demonstrate that willingness to be more proactive to save valuable, highly...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Russell George for his questions? Whilst I do acknowledge that some action has been taken by UK Government, according to industry itself, that action is insufficient, whether it be in the form of the fund that's been established for high-intensity-energy companies, or the green steel initiative. I think what's absolutely vital is that it listens to the sector at a reconvened round...
Ken Skates: I'd agree entirely with what Dai Rees has said. I don't think many countries anywhere on this planet would be willing to give up their steel-making abilities. I would urge the UK Government to demonstrate as soon as possible that it is not willing to give up on Britain's steel-making capabilities either. The interview, as Dai Rees has said, contained a statement that is entirely consistent...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Dai Rees for his question and assure him that we will continue to engage with Tata Steel at every level to discuss how we can support the long-term sustainability of steel plants in Wales, including, of course, the Port Talbot site?
Ken Skates: In March—. Yes, of course.
Ken Skates: Thank you. Can I thank the Member for his kind comment? Back in March 2016, we set out how the Welsh Government aspires to join with partner organisations, both within Wales and at the UK level, in working towards a more financially inclusive society in Wales. Digital inclusion remains a key social justice and equality issue. Those who personally do not use or are limited users of digital...
Ken Skates: Llywydd, it's been a pleasure to listen to the contributions this afternoon, and I'd like to thank in particular Russell George for chairing the committee's investigation into access to banking as well as, of course, the members of his committee. Clearly, a great deal of effort has gone into producing this excellent report, engaging with relevant partners and stakeholders, and I'd like to...
Ken Skates: The Welsh Government’s legislative powers do not extend to regulating vehicle emissions. However, we support the use of challenging new vehicle standards to reduce emissions. Encouraging a shift from an overreliance on the private car to more sustainable modes of transport, such as walking, cycling and public transport, is a key element of the Welsh Government’s policy approach on this...
Ken Skates: Thank you. Can I begin my response by thanking Russell George, the Chair of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee, and members of the committee for their extremely positive report on regional skills partnerships? I'm particularly pleased that the report acknowledges the important role of RSPs in the wider skills landscape in Wales. The committee recommended that RSPs have a clear...
Ken Skates: The Member is absolutely right, this is a UK-wide problem. There are many factors that are global, which are, to an extent, out of the UK Government's control, but where the UK Government can have an influence, it must influence the conditions that would provide a more certain future for steel making in the UK. I am not waiting for the end of the general election period to liaise with UK...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Suzy Davies for her questions? The declaration of a climate emergency has not been a factor in their decision making. Tata themselves recognise that they need to respond to the climate emergency, that they need to make savings in terms of energy costs, and that they need to ensure that they're decarbonising their footprint. We've been working with them, as the Member is aware, on...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Dai Rees for this topical question? Much of what he's impressed upon us today has been echoed by the European Works Council and the trade unions who are stating very clearly that they wish to have a meaningful consultation with Tata over the coming weeks and months, and that in order to have that meaningful consultation, they need access to as much detail as possible as soon as...
Ken Skates: Yes, of course. This announcement is extremely disappointing news and this will be a very worrying time for Tata Steel employees and their families. I'm continuing to engage with the company and with trade unions to understand what this means for the business in Wales and the many thousands of loyal people employed across its sites.
Ken Skates: Well, through the new Wales transport strategy, which will be published next year, we'll be able to take a view of all opportunities to improve the resilience of the road network, and not just the resilience of the road network, but other means of being able to get people from A to B. You've seen, for example, bus services, active travel and rail services. Now, I think it's fair to say that,...
Ken Skates: Yes, of course. Transport links are vital to our economy and we are committed to ensuring a robust and well-maintained road network. Our priorities for improving the network are outlined in our national transport finance plan, which was updated in May of this year.
Ken Skates: Well, the Member is absolutely right: we will be designing, through legislation and further reforms, a transport system for buses and for other transport forms that meet passenger interests over profit motive. And, whether it be through the creation of municipal bus companies, through the reintroduction of franchising, through other reforms, we will deliver improved bus transport that is...
Ken Skates: I can assure people of the Rhondda that we are doing all we can to address capacity issues on the rail network. Importantly, though, we can't view rail service in isolation from other public transport services. I think it's absolutely right that people should expect an integrated bus and rail service, and that's why next year we'll be introducing legislation to this Chamber concerning the...
Ken Skates: I'd like to thank Vikki Howells for the question, and for raising this matter previously with me directly. I was able to speak again to Transport for Wales this morning, where I impressed upon them the absolute and urgent need to ensure that there are contingency plans in place. As the Member rightly identifies, on the afternoon of Wednesday, 27 November, there was disruption to TfW services...
Ken Skates: Yes, of course. We are moving forward with our ambitious vision to reshape public transport infrastructure and services across Wales, including local bus services, rail services, active travel, the metro projects and, of course, the buses (Wales) Bill.
Ken Skates: Absolutely, and this is not a problem that is confined to the Member's constituency. We can point to town centres right across the UK and beyond, where there are struggles because of changing consumer behaviours. And it's absolutely right now that we focus not just on retail as a process of an exchange of goods and money, but retail as an experience, and some of the most successful town...
