QNR – in the Senedd on 13 September 2016.
We remain committed to delivering the skills Wales need to grow and prosper. Whilst the partial Treasury guarantee on funding for current structural funds programmes is a welcome short-term assurance, we will continue to press to ensure Wales does not lose a penny of current or future anticipated EU funding.
The Welsh Government’s priority is to continue to expand and deliver improvements to technology services for businesses and individuals in the west and across Wales.
Levels of prosperity in Wales are best judged by a basket of indicators that includes GVA, employment, income and poverty. Taking the basket in the round, since devolution, Wales has broadly kept pace with the UK, a period over which the UK has grown faster than the EU average.
The Welsh Government remains fully committed to increasing the use of the Welsh language. Our challenging vision for a million Welsh speakers by 2050 is currently subject to public consultation and we will consider all responses in due course.
Life sciences is an important driver of economic growth and improved well-being. It is vital to the economy, for creating jobs, increasing wealth and developing high-end skills. Weekly earnings have increased by 8.3 per cent, over 5 percentage points more than the increase of any other sector.
Working conditions and workers’ rights are reserved matters and remain with the UK Government.
Maintaining a strong Welsh business climate, including the advanced materials and manufacturing sector, is important for our steel industry. I was in the States to remind them Wales means business. I will publish a full statement on my visit shortly.