Ken Skates: Yes. Storm Callum, autumn conditions and the poor quality of the rolling stock that we inherited from Arriva Trains Wales have impacted on Transport for Wales’s operational start. Transport for Wales has, as I have already said, implemented a recovery plan, and passengers are beginning to see the consequential service improvements, which will continue over the next few weeks.
Ken Skates: Well, the Member will know from my evidence session at his committee just recently that the consolidated economy futures fund has been established. That's now in operation. We've awarded a significant number of businesses support. Those include small and micro-sized businesses. The new economic contract is being promoted first and foremost in the initial stages to businesses that are seeking...
Ken Skates: Yes. I am delighted that we recently agreed the hundredth economic contract. It's only been in place for six months and this—[Inaudible.]
Ken Skates: There is no doubt in my mind that many employers could adopt the economic contract and provide their employees with a better working environment and opportunities to progress through the workplace and up through various jobs and roles and earn more remuneration as a consequence. Now, the gender pay difference on an hourly full-time basis is 7.3 per cent in Wales and 8.6 per cent across the UK...
Ken Skates: I'm pleased to be able to say that, as a consequence of the agreement that we reached with KeolisAmey, we're going to be increasing employment by 600. That's quite a significant figure. We're also going to be rolling out cashless ticketing machines at all stations across the Wales and borders franchise area, and we'll also further recognise the challenges faced at the moment with the...
Ken Skates: Well, can I thank Mick Antoniw for his question and also thank him for the opportunity to speak with him directly regarding the two issues that he raised in his question? I'm pleased to say that during the conversation I had with Sir Peter Hendy, the chair of Network Rail, this morning, the Pencoed crossing featured quite heavily in our discussions, and we have committed to work together to...
Ken Skates: Well, we are introducing a range of improvements to services at Pontyclun, including a reduction in journey times, new four-car trains and an increase in Sunday service frequency. We continue to work with Transport for Wales to consider extending the metro, including to Pontyclun—subject, of course, to funding and a strong business case.
Ken Skates: I'm not necessarily advocating that we make it harder for a business to be sold. My concern is the attitude towards business growth, which is very different here in the UK compared to economies such as Germany and Denmark, where there is an attitude amongst many business leaders and business owners that crosses generations, rather than simply crossing five-year plans. I think what's essential...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Lee Waters for his question? The company that the Member refers to was in contact with me today. I spoke to the plant manager and I'm keen to speak to the CEO in Germany. It's my belief that the Development Bank of Wales has a huge role to play in ensuring that as many of the, if you like, missing middle remain in Wales and in the hands of Welsh people—. I think there are many...
Ken Skates: Business Wales is working collaboratively with stakeholders, including the Development Bank of Wales and Social Business Wales to support businesses with succession planning.
Ken Skates: I'm not sure whether the Member took the time to write to the chair or chief executive of the airport regarding this matter, and I know that I offered Members as well an opportunity to meet with the chair and chief executive, and a number of Members behind me did just that. I think it's excellent that the airport is moving to become a real living wage employer by the start of the next...
Ken Skates: Suzy Davies raises a really important point, and that is the role of the public sector in driving a greater degree of inclusive growth in our economy. I've spoken with colleagues right across Government about adopting the economic contract and extending it to other areas of service of Government activity, but also to the public sector, so it's my hope that, as we extend the economic contract,...
Ken Skates: Yes. Businesses in Wales are actively encouraged to take up the real living wage through our economic contract and the code of practice for ethical employment in supply chains.
Ken Skates: It is a fact that more equal countries are happier countries and more contented countries, and, within the workplace, where people are well paid, it's proven that productivity levels are higher. Now, I'm keen to look at the work of the Fair Work Commission, particularly in regard to the economic contract that is now in place. I am looking keenly at the work of the Fair Work Commission because...
Ken Skates: Thank you. I will take that advice; I think it's absolutely essential that we promote Wales alongside key flag carriers of the economy. Aston Martin is an obvious one; we could include with that the likes of Airbus, we could include QinetiQ and Raytheon, and many other excellent businesses that showcase advanced manufacturing in the best possible way. There are other businesses in the...
Ken Skates: Again, it's because of the need to maintain investor confidence, and, if we weren't able to utilise non-disclosure agreements or confidentiality clauses, we would, potentially, lose out on investment opportunities, and it may well be that we wouldn't have been able to attract Aston Martin, who were—. Aston Martin carry incredible kudos, and, as a result of us being able to secure the new...
Ken Skates: Can I first of all thank the Member, and all opposition spokespeople, for more than two years of consistent and robust challenge? These are the last oral Assembly questions before a new Government is formed, and I know none of the three people who could determine my fate are here today. I imagine they would all remain poker-faced right now, but thank you for your questions and for offering...
Ken Skates: We were ready for the transfer as much as we could be ready. But I must press again the point that the contract that's been operating for the last 15 years was a dreadful contract, with a very low base and a very low bar for them to get over. We have improved the contract considerably this time around. Let me put it this way as well: had we not proceeded with the new franchise agreement, we...
Ken Skates: Can I just, again, for the purpose of clarity, outline that there were very few—? First of all, the standards of the delivery of the services were too low, because the contract that was agreed 15 years ago was not fit for purpose, and so, essentially, Arriva Trains Wales had a lower bar to get over. We had no levers at our disposal, no powers and no way of compelling Arriva Trains Wales to...
Ken Skates: Well, TfW, as the managing and operator partner for Welsh Government, would like to apologise, but I think it also needs to be recognised that, in a very short space of time, Transport for Wales have worked incredibly hard to bring a number of trains back into use. Normally, we operate at about 80 per cent of the entire fleet. There are 127 trains in the fleet, so normally we'd be operating...
