Ken Skates: Well, we've repurposed the Life Sciences Hub Wales to ensure that there is a greater degree of overlap between what's happening in the business community and the needs of patients and people in Wales. In terms of the city deal, I think there would be an expectation not just of private sector investment but also the potential to draw in public sector investment through the NHS and through...
Ken Skates: Well, can I thank the Member for her question? This is a timely moment to be able to discuss the life sciences sector, given BioWales 2018 is taking place just next door at the Wales Millennium Centre, and I was delighted to be there this morning to launch the occasion. There are 365 companies in the life sciences sector across Wales, employing more than 12,000 in well-paid high-quality jobs....
Ken Skates: Yes. 'Prosperity for All', our national strategy, sets out our intention to blend multiple policy aims and objectives. This partnership approach offers benefits to the life sciences sector in Wales, contributing to economic growth whilst also improving the efficiency and affordability of health services and, of course, improving the well-being of citizens across our country.
Ken Skates: Welsh Government has invested £1.5 million in providing free Wi-Fi on Arriva Trains Wales across the Wales and borders area. We are investing a further £1.5 million in the provision of free Wi-Fi at the 50 busiest stations in Wales. Wi-Fi on buses is also becoming more common as fleets modernise.
Ken Skates: I refer the member to my written statement issued on Friday 23 February. The procurement evaluation will continue and ARC’s withdrawal does not expose the Welsh Government to any financial risk or delay to the process.
Ken Skates: Absolutely. Look, at the time of producing the White Paper, we made it absolutely clear that issues around the customs union were far more complex than was the case with single market participation. Over the last year, I think it's fair to say that we've gathered far more evidence and talked to a range of experts and stakeholders, and this has led to greater understanding of the continued...
Ken Skates: Diolch, Llywydd. In our recent trade policy paper, which was published on 2 February, the Welsh Government set out its position on the customs union. In essence, we are not convinced that leaving a customs union with the EU is in our interests. Our position is mirrored by the Scottish Government, which in its publication 'Scotland's Place in Europe' also puts forward its case for the UK...
Ken Skates: Absolutely. I think the answer is through great ambition and determination and by showing strong leadership. It's certainly the case—if I can identify one example in London, where the development of the cycle highway over Westminster Bridge I think probably met with furious objections from some motorists, but actually it's proven to be hugely successful in getting more people to cycle to...
Ken Skates: I think Vikki Howells makes a really valid, very important point that we shouldn't just view roads as the only infrastructure that people can use for cycling. I've noticed in my constituency that upgrading the Llangollen canal towpath has proven to be incredibly important for cyclists to be able to access places of work and to get to school in Llangollen. I think also tunnels can play a...
Ken Skates: Can I assure the Member—and I'm pleased to be able to share this news with all Members actually—that I've recently agreed to extend the Active Journeys contract for another year up until July 2019 for the reasons that John Griffiths outlined? It's proven to be exceptionally successful in those schools that it's operated in. I think 88 per cent of respondents said that the number of...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his questions? I'd say again, just to repeat, that the benefits of active travel are not just physical; they are also emotional and mental as well. Fifteen billion pounds is wiped out of the UK economy every year because people turn up at work unable to perform to the best of their ability because they're anxious or they're depressed, and this needs to be...
Ken Skates: Can I thank David Rowlands for his questions and actually touch on a point that I should have dealt with that was raised by Jenny Rathbone, which concerns the funding that's available for schemes that are being developed? That £5 million that I talked of earlier is being allocated for the purpose of bringing schemes to the point of construction. The reason that I want to see a significant...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Jenny for her questions and for highlighting a most pressing problem, particularly in urban areas, which is the existence of carbon canyons, in many respects, that are polluting the lungs of commuters, and in particular young people? The irony, of course, is that within those more intensely urbanised areas young people can most easily access places of education on foot. What's...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Dai Lloyd for his questions? I'd agree entirely with him that active travel can play a crucial role in reducing incidences of obesity and other physical illnesses, but it can also assist in improving our well-being, and certainly our mental health. I, for sure, benefit from regularly walking, cycling and running, particularly when I'm down here in Cardiff Bay, after or before...
Ken Skates: In terms of safety, one of the most inhibiting factors that prevents many people from travelling to work or travelling to school or travelling to services by foot or on a bike is the fear of fast-moving traffic. Twenty-miles-per-hour zones have proven to be very successful around schools. These are available for local authorities to develop if they so wish. It's certainly something that we...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Russell George for his questions? I think much of what he's offered today shows that there is a need to significantly improve behaviours in Wales, and also across the UK for that matter, in terms of active travel and the choices that we make when moving from A to B. There have been instances where individuals have taken personal leadership and charge of active travel agendas, and...
Ken Skates: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I welcome this opportunity today to update Members on a major milestone in the implementation of our Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013. Following the submission and approval of the maps showing the existing active travel routes in 2016, local authorities in Wales have submitted the maps showing their plans for integrated active travel networks last...
Ken Skates: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'd like to start by thanking Members across the Chamber for their contributions and the opportunity to respond to what I think has been an enlightening and informative debate with no dissent from the central position that a problem needs solving in Wales. Now, firstly, of course, I need to be absolutely clear that we as a Government are responsible for...
Ken Skates: Well, I'd agree entirely. That is an absolute requirement of the thorough assessment of all of the evidence that is being given. Actually, if you look at some of the predictions that have been made about the longer term use of autonomous vehicles, it's likely that autonomous vehicles will lead to lower car ownership, but higher car use, and that more cars will be used more of the time on...
Ken Skates: What other projects would have to be considered in isolation? Because there is no manual, there is no handbook, there is no guide in our constitution that describes how big a stand-alone project must be to warrant a stand-alone vote on its financing that could be held on the floor of this house. Indeed, I would fear that regional interest could overtake, potentially. As Rhun ap Iorwerth said,...
