4. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government’s priorities in ensuring enhanced connectivity for railway passengers in Islwyn? OAQ(5)0066(FM)

We are funding enhancements to the Ebbw Vale line, which, of course, we reopened, that will allow for additional services to be introduced in the future, improving stations and, of course, improving bus connectivity.

Okay. Thank you for that answer. The scheme to reintroduce passenger services back to the Ebbw Vale railway line between Ebbw Vale and Cardiff, including stations at Risca and Pontymister, Crosskeys and Newbridge, has been a resounding success with the public. A great part has been funded by EU structural funding; i.e. it would not have happened if it had been left to the Tory cuts that have occurred in Wales. Will the First Minister provide an update on how Welsh Government is both progressing and facilitating the process within which the communities that I represent, served by the Ebbw Vale railway line, can access the great city of Newport as soon as possible, to ensure critical connectivity for jobs, markets and community regeneration? Would he also comment on the importance of EU funding in such critical infrastructure projects for the future?

Well, it’s right to say that the Ebbw Vale line would not have been reopened without European funding. The metro cannot go ahead without European money. There are those who say that the money will be made up penny for penny by Whitehall. I believe that that is cloud-cuckoo-land, if I’m quite honest with you.

I’ve spent many years in this Chamber fighting Whitehall for funding, ensuring that we have a proper funding floor, ensuring that the Barnett formula is reviewed, and the results have not been happy ones for Wales. I don’t believe for one millisecond that the money we currently receive from Europe will be transferred to us, straight, without a cut being taken by Whitehall. We saw it with council tax benefit: we had it devolved, but only 90 per cent of the budget was given to us. There is form here. We know this money will come to Wales. We’re investing £40 million to improve service frequency and line speeds, and that investment will allow services to Newport, which will be considered as we procure the next Wales and borders franchise and the next phase of the south Wales metro, if the European money is there.

A crucial development for transport for people in Islwyn and across the wider region, of course, would be the creation of a full metro system as part of a wider economic and social policy, but what assurances can the First Minister give to me that at the heart of this approach will be the aim of spreading job creation across the south-east region, so that communities there become growth areas in their own right rather than being little more than simply commuter communities for the capital?

To me, it works both ways. It is right to say that many thousands of people commute into Cardiff every day. That’s going to continue, but it’s also important that we connect communities to bring investment up from the M4 as well. So, it works both ways, not just physical connectivity, but broadband as well, because we know that broadband, in the twenty-first century, is the equivalent of railway lines in the nineteenth century, and it’s hugely important to make sure that communities are connected to broadband so it doesn’t make a difference, if you’ve got a digital business, for example, where you’re based: you don’t have to be in Cardiff, you can be in any community around Wales. The two things, to me, run together. And yes, it does mean it’s easier for people to access some jobs in Cardiff, true, but also easier to bring investment up from the traditional areas around the M4.

First Minister, a businessman claimed recently that traffic problems were having a damaging effect on businesses in Newport. One of the reasons he gave for this increased traffic was the fact that the valley line train from Newbridge, where he lives, bypassed Newport. Minister, in 2007 and 2008 promises were made in this Chamber by the then economic Minister that, prior to the Ryder Cup, the train connection between Newport and the valley line and Cardiff would be made, but that never happened—so, basically, continuous promises by your Government, but connectivity of the main line from the valley line to Newport is bypassed by Pye Corner. What action can the Welsh Government take now, before the south Wales metro project is completed, to improve connectivity between Islwyn and Newport?

I think I answered that question from the Member—I did say earlier on that the investment that we’re making will allow services to Newport. We considered that as part of the procurement for the next franchise.

Mark Reckless. [Interruption.] Question 5, Nick Ramsay.