Vaughan Gething: I'll try.
Vaughan Gething: On the first substantive point that he asked about, I'd be grateful if he'd write to me about the detail of the scheme he's suggesting, rather than looking to give a three-word answer in the Chamber today. On the challenges of reduced support around energy pricing, it's worth people being reminded that, when the UK Government talk about non-domestic customers, they're not talking about public...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the questions. As the Member knows, we're developing our net zero skills plan. There are some statements due to be made by the Office for National Statistics and others later in the spring, but I'm interested in how we are able to close the circle. I have actually had further conversations in the last week about the response from a variety of stakeholders, both providers of...
Vaughan Gething: Our long-term plan remains on delivering a prosperous, green economic future for Wales and investing in the skills of the future. Our vision for the Welsh economy is clearly aligned with independent thought leaders, such as the Resolution Foundation, and their proposals for rebooting Britain with a return to inclusive growth. But, all of the UK has needed the UK Government to develop a...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. I come to Plenary this afternoon having earlier on today had the first inter-ministerial group for business and industry meeting of this year. It was the first such meeting since spring last year. The Welsh Government is firmly committed to proper partnership working arrangements with the UK Government and other devolved nations, and we do so in the joint interests...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the points and questions. On your point about magnet developments, this is a good example of what you could do, because if you had the operation of a facility that would probably have likely north of 200 people employed directly in the ARTHUR facility, it would be extraordinary not to have other activity around it. And the OPAL facility in Australia is a good example of that....
Vaughan Gething: One of the challenges is the fact that there is a short shelf life for these products. It was one of the concerns about a 'no deal' Brexit. I had to go through, I think, three different iterations of 'no deal' Brexit planning, and as well as challenges for pharmaceutical suppliers and a whole load of other things, radioisotope supplies were always near the top of the list as to what would...
Vaughan Gething: Actually, the cyclotron at Cardiff University that provides the PET scanners in Cardiff was one with which we had a particular problem. So, our challenge is, right across the UK, we don't produce enough. We significantly import those as it stands. And for all the potential of cyclotrons, we don't think—. The advice that I'm being given, the base on which we're planning, is that that isn't...
Vaughan Gething: I think the two detailed questions are actually around some of the points that we're looking to address in both the technical specifications around what we'd want to do on the site, but then the broader call for people to be involved not just in the creation of a radioisotope production facility, likely to be in north-west Wales because of the likely candidate sites, but what that then means...
Vaughan Gething: There are a couple of specific questions. On the £18 million by the end of this Senedd term, we've yet to pass the budget we've just laid in draft form, and of course that's got to go through scrutiny and a final vote. We then have other budgets, and of course we'll look to the future of research funding in those future budgets. It all depends on not just the overall settlement the Welsh...
Vaughan Gething: I'll just deal with what I was modestly confused by, almost as if Wylfa and Trawsfynydd were on the same site in some of the points. The Traws site is an obvious candidate for the proposal we're talking about today, but in moving forward with the business plan, it will be site agnostic. Trawsfynydd has a nuclear licence for development, the other site being Wylfa, but we'll need to look at...
Vaughan Gething: Critically, a small nation cannot have strength in depth right across the board. We can, however, point to clusters of technology in Wales that lead their field. The south Wales compound semi-conductor cluster is one. Combining industrial excellence and world-leading research, this cluster delivers the components that make our modern world work. Today, I confirm our clear ambition for Wales...
Vaughan Gething: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. The Welsh Government has consistently highlighted the importance of harnessing science, research and innovation to address societal challenges. To meet these and capitalise on opportunities, we need a coherent, co-ordinated and collaborative approach. A new innovation strategy for Wales is being developed in line with our commitments in the co-operation agreement...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the question. I recognise what the Member had to say about Jayne Bryant. Nexperia is, of course, in her constituency, but I recognise the Member will have a number of constituents who work there as well. I had the opportunity to meet a group of staff from Nexperia in a meeting hosted by Jayne Bryant, and I know other Members took the opportunity to drop in to listen to them too....
Vaughan Gething: I should note that I have to answer in very broad terms, given that this is in my constituency. I can't have ministerial discussions on this particular point, but I certainly do take up the opportunity to talk with the council and other partners about this and other areas of interest within the great and glorious constituency of Cardiff South and Penarth.
Vaughan Gething: Welsh Government continue to work collaboratively with Newport City Council and the Cardiff capital region to help build a strong economy in Newport and the surrounding areas.
Vaughan Gething: The Welsh Government continues to have discussions with a range of partners in supporting the cultural, sporting and business life of the capital city, which already contributes to making Cardiff a vibrant and attractive destination, both today and into the future.
Vaughan Gething: Well, I should just make the point that, in responding, I won't be making any kind of indication about the free ports and the competing bids. It was mentioned in the question, and I just want to make that absolutely clear. However, my officials are reviewing the bids, together with UK Government officials, as the bidding deadline has finished. But I think you're right to point out that this...
Vaughan Gething: Yes, I'm happy to confirm about some of the challenges that we needed to take on board. As you've seen, during the year, there have been a number of different events. It was our expectation that we would accomplish it within this financial year, we then had to deal with the shocks that have come at various points in the year, not just the autumn, but we then, as we'd reached the autumn and...
Vaughan Gething: Yes. I expect to launch our net-zero skills action plan in early 2023, and no later than the end of February 2023.
