9. Will the First Minister make a statement on the prospects for economic growth in the south Wales valleys? OAQ(5)0289(FM)

We are delivering a range of actions to support a strong, prosperous economy in the Valleys. That includes business support, advice and investment in digital and transport infrastructure. We’ll continue to tailor our approach in response to the outcomes of the Valleys taskforce.

Thank you for that statement, First Minister. I recently met with the Bevan Foundation to discuss ideas and strategies for economic regeneration in my constituency. Part of those discussions focused on the Cardiff capital region and the metro. The Cardiff capital region will undoubtedly bring significant benefits to the south Wales area, but there is a danger that areas like Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney may not benefit fully because of their distance from Cardiff, and, in reality, Cardiff in itself could not provide enough jobs for the needs of the Valleys areas.

Given that within 20 minutes of Merthyr Tydfil there is a population base of around 175,000, it’s a key transport intersection between the A470 and the A465, and it will have a metro terminus providing good public transport links across the Valleys, does the First Minister agree with both the Bevan Foundation and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation that Merthyr Tydfil is ideally placed to be a growth hub for the south-east Valleys to act as a counter-balance to Cardiff, and that this should be considered as an integral part of the Government’s economic strategy?

Yes, I do. Merthyr is in a good place in terms of transport. The metro will benefit it greatly; the dualling of the Heads of the Valleys is hugely important for the town and the surrounding area. The town centre, of course, has seen huge amounts of—ironically—European money spent on it to get to a position where it’s far more attractive for businesses, and, of course, the businesses who’ve come to the developments outside the town have complemented the town centre, it seems to me.

We see, of course, jobs coming to Merthyr. Many years ago, the Welsh Government set up an office in Merthyr. We’ve seen Tenneco, of course, General Dynamics, Trago Mills—these are all signs to me that Merthyr has a great future, and great potential to act as an engine to drive the economy, not just in the town, but in the surrounding towns and villages as well.