Ken Skates: Because we've got great confidence in the ability and the quality and the expertise of the workforce in Wales who are employed in the contact centre sector. I should just inform the Member that the sector panels have been wound up—that includes the financial and professional services sector—with a new ministerial advisory board that has consolidated all of the sector panels into one board...
Ken Skates: Well, I agree with the Member, and I think my comments so far suggest that her views and mine are fully aligned in questioning the business case and the rationale for the decision that's been announced. We should remember as well that it's not just workers in Cardiff who will be affected by this decision, but also in Coventry. Again, we need to question why it is that Barclays have decided to...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his question? Our intelligence suggests that the opposite is happening and will continue to happen: that as we see a reshoring of jobs into Wales—and there is evidence that that is already taking place—we will see senior-tier opportunities created. But, of course, the global shift, driven by automation and artificial intelligence, will see a significant number...
Ken Skates: The Member is right that there has been a significant number of jobs lost as a consequence of churn that's taking place within the call centre sector at the moment. But, equally, there have been a huge number of jobs that are being created in Cardiff, and, as a direct consequence of Welsh Government support, there is a good story to tell about jobs that have been secured at TUI in Swansea, at...
Ken Skates: I thank Julie Morgan for her question and say that it is very deeply disappointing that Barclays have made this decision. We will do all we can to assist workers affected by this decision as a matter of urgency. I'll be speaking with Barclays management on Friday, and I met with union representatives this morning.
Ken Skates: The 'Mapping the Social Business Sector in Wales' report notes that the sector is now worth an incredible £2.37 billion to Wales and provides jobs and volunteering opportunities to around 100,000 people. I’m sure you would agree that the sector in Wales makes a huge contribution, not just to our economy but to society as a whole.
Ken Skates: I couldn't agree more with the Member, and I'm sure that my colleague the Minister for Housing and Regeneration would firmly agree as well. I think the innovative housing programme that the Minister has already detailed provides a huge opportunity for social enterprise to participate more in the building of new homes and also in the regeneration of communities as a whole through making use of...
Ken Skates: Well, I think, first of all, we need to understand exactly what it is that Arla may be able to provide as an alternative to the products that are being produced there at the moment, and then we'll be able to, if at all possible, put together a bespoke package of support that could include, for example, skills retraining or skills training programmes that could include facility development...
Ken Skates: I think the Member is absolutely right. The food and drink sector has shown strong growth in recent years and is growing towards the target of a £7 billion contribution to the Welsh economy. But, in the future, the processing issue will be a major consideration not just of my colleague Lesley Griffiths but also of the enabling plan that's being developed for the food and drink sector. I...
Ken Skates: My sympathies go to those affected by this disappointing decision. The Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs has requested an urgent meeting with the company and our Business Wales service has made the appropriate links to support those impacted by the closure.
Ken Skates: Yes, it is. We've been clear that we expect to see improved journey times between London and Cardiff, and also between Cardiff and Swansea. It's a fact that it takes longer today than it did in the past to get from London to Cardiff, and therefore London to Swansea. This is appalling, considering how much funding has been made available over the past decade or more for the rail network...
Ken Skates: I'll write to the Member with the specific time frame and the details of what parts of the A40 will be dualled.FootnoteLink It was a clear manifesto pledge that we would look at dualling parts of the A40, and we now have the pinchpoint scheme, as well, that will enable that to happen. I'll do that as soon as possible.
Ken Skates: The national transport finance plan, which was updated in 2017, sets out our programme for the next three years and beyond.
Ken Skates: Well, can I thank Mike Hedges for his question? I'm pleased to say that huge progress has been made within the Swansea bay area in terms of enhancing the provision of public transport and improving the provision of roads for motorists, relieving congestion. We've asked Transport for Wales to develop a detailed traffic model for south-west Wales, which includes the Swansea bay area, and it's...
Ken Skates: It's absolutely vital that residents, under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, are consulted on matters that relate to their safety and well-being, and that includes, of course, speed limits within their communities. This Welsh Government is supportive of the implementation of 20 mph zones and, where appropriate, the reduction of speed limits from 30 mph to 20 mph,...
Ken Skates: Can I extend my deepest sympathies to the families of those who have died on the roads of north Wales in recent weeks? We have seen a significant number of, particularly, motor cyclists who've died on the roads of north Wales this year to date, and I'm keen to make sure that we use the mid-term review of the road safety framework to enhance not just the provision of GoSafe cameras on the...
Ken Skates: Yes. The road safety framework for Wales sets out the actions we and our partners will take to achieve our casualty reduction targets. In April, I announced funding of over £4.5 million for north Wales through our transport grants, to improve safety, reduce congestion, create economic growth and promote active travel.
Ken Skates: The Member's absolutely right in terms of numbers. The number of people who are currently walking, while significant, could be far, far greater, particularly for very short journeys. And the Member is absolutely right as well that it's safety anxiety that prevents people currently from walking small journeys instead of taking cars. The £60 million capital funding will be provided for...
Ken Skates: I couldn't agree more. I think the vice-chancellor of Cardiff University is to be commended on the scheme and also to be commended for being a keen cyclist. I think it's vital that we look at the development and the delivery of projects contained in the integrated network maps as an enabler for people to move not just between places of home and work but also in terms of their social...
Ken Skates: Yes. Can I thank Jenny Rathbone for her question and her continued interest and passion regarding this subject? Broadly, the outcome that we wish to see is cultural and behavioural change insofar as transport is concerned, and in order to accomplish that, we need the right infrastructure and the right support in the form of training, in order to remove the safety anxiety that a lot of people...
