11. Will the Minister provide an update on the attempted regeneration of the Kingsway in Swansea as a business and employment hub? OAQ(5)0062(CC)

I thank the Member for his question. Through Vibrant and Viable Places funding of £8.89 million, Swansea has made a series of strategic acquisitions to enable delivery of a central business district on the Kingsway.

Thank you for that response, Minister. Further to that, of course, there have been great delays on the Kingsway, and the main route in the centre of Swansea has begun to look quite dilapidated. There are a number of projects, and you have referred to one, which not only relates to the local authority but also, of course, involves the Government here. So, could I push you further to ask what influence you have to hasten that work that is happening at the moment to regenerate the Kingsway in Swansea?

I’m very grateful for the Member’s question. I’m not familiar with the delays that he assumes are related to the Government. What I do know is that the VVP investment in Swansea will lever in about £103 million in additional investment and accommodate 675 new jobs in 14,000 sq m of newly refurbished commercial space. Indeed, pressing on with the creation of change to the central business district on the Kingsway, VVP funding has been able to acquire some of those difficult buildings that the Member talks about. The one that he may be familiar with is the former Oceana nightclub, which, indeed, has been purchased for transformation in that particular area. We should be very positive about Swansea council and the opportunity that they’re bringing to the communities that they represent.

And finally, question 12, Russell George.