Ken Skates: Not at all, not at all. I completely reject that. And just going back to the very first point, the point that we need to look up: that's exactly what we in Welsh Government have been doing. That's why we've been able to achieve those staggering results in terms of lowering economic inactivity, improving job prospects, improving skills levels. And perhaps it's the party that the Member...
Ken Skates: He talked about bingo this week; I'll give him the full house. Let's talk about GVA, shall we? There's this great figure that I can quote here. Since devolution, Wales has had the fifth highest increase in GVA per head compared to the 12 UK countries and English regions. Let's talk about gross value added per hour worked. Since 2011, which is the year, of course, that we returned to having...
Ken Skates: Let's just look at some of the broad and important facts that have affected the economy in the past 20 years, and how we have been able to steer the economy of Wales in a very different direction to that which was taken back in the 1980s and early 1990s. In the last 20 years, we've seen the number of people in Wales without qualifications reduce from more than one in three to fewer than one...
Ken Skates: I would agree with the Member that the work of the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales is absolutely vital. The national transport finance plan gives some certainty over the immediate short-term funding allocations for infrastructure projects, but in terms of the longer term pipeline, it's the very reason why we established NICW to assess and to determine what's in the national...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his question? I broadly agree with the important points that he made about funding cycles, and that's why we included, within the economic action plan, the pledge to move to a more sustainable and guaranteed round of funding cycles for not just infrastructure plans that are taken forward by Welsh Government, but also potentially for local authorities as well. I...
Ken Skates: I'll be meeting with the national infrastructure commission shortly. I will be discussing their remit and I'll be discussing their forward work programme. Given that they take a view on longer term infrastructure needs, I am content with the pace of work to date. However, I do wish to see that any work undertaken from now on is undertaken in the most exhaustive way possible.
Ken Skates: Can I thank Helen Mary Jones for her questions, and for the important points that she makes about ensuring that we have the lowest possible fares for young people, people who really do depend on rail transport day in, day out? I should just say that, under the previous operator, cheaper fares were only available to purchase on a limited number of routes. Now, with TfW now operating the...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his question and also thank him for contacting TfW directly regarding the inquiry that he's again raised today? It was an important piece of work that was carried out by a constituent of Russell George, and I really do appreciate the constructive feedback that we've received regarding fares on the Cambrian line. I should just say, before I move to the broader issue...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for what is an incredibly important question? For many people, bus services, and transport as a whole, is the number one challenge that they face in accessing services, in accessing leisure opportunities and, most significantly of all in many areas, in accessing work. And I've said in this Chamber before that there are some parts of Wales where as many as 20 per cent of...
Ken Skates: Absolutely. We are committed to ensure that Transport for Wales delivers a sustainable fare strategy and the highest level of service for all rail customers throughout Wales that will meet the needs of communities both in rural and in urban areas.
Ken Skates: Yes, of course. We're moving forward with our ambitious vision to reshape public transport infrastructure and services across the whole of Wales, including, of course, local bus services, rail services, active travel and the various metro projects, which will act as a blueprint for integrated transport right across the whole of Wales.
Ken Skates: This line is the responsibility of the UK Government. However, I have instructed Transport for Wales to work with Network Rail to restore this line. I am informed that it will open this summer ahead of the Eisteddfod, ensuring we can safely move passengers to this very important event.
Ken Skates: Our broad approach to economic development in north Anglesey and across Wales is set out in the economic action plan.
Ken Skates: Can I thank David Rees for his questions and for his ongoing support for the steel industry in Wales? I should point out that, in terms of discussions that are taking place at the European Commission, this is, of course, a confidential negotiation between the European Commission and the joint venture partners, so it wouldn't be the place of Government to get involved in discussions with the...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Suzy Davies for her questions as well, and say that this won't delay consideration of further support for Port Talbot and further support for skills training provision, should it be requested, in the months to come? The Member is absolutely right; £60 million was put on the table in order to support steel facilities in Wales in March of 2016, and £17 million pounds has been...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for the important question today, and assure her that we will do everything we can do to ensure that there is a sustainable steel-making sector in Wales, indeed just as we've been doing so since March 2016? I'm very pleased that the Member also identified the fact that Trostre is still a profitable site and that the Welsh Government has been instrumental in supporting...
Ken Skates: We continue to have very regular discussions with Tata Steel on a range of issues including, of course, the proposed venture.
Ken Skates: I can't comment on the last point that the Member raises, but I'd be happy to write to him once the information is available so that we can answer that question, but I can assure the Member that the same level of support through the taskforce will be afforded to people affected by this latest turn of events at Dawnus that was offered to staff members at Tesco, at Virgin and other companies...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his question? My understanding is that there may have been an investor that was prepared to step in. However, in spite of all consideration and, I think it's fair to say, everybody's best efforts, Dawnus nonetheless was destined for demise. Our efforts must now focus on how we ensure that the businesses that could be affected by this event are supported through a...
Ken Skates: Thank you. Can I thank the Member for her questions? In all fairness to those subcontractor businesses engaged through the supply chain, I do believe that many of them have already engaged with their respective banks, but the Development Bank of Wales will be working very closely with Welsh Government through the taskforce to identify any additional need that might be required. I can't...
