4. Urgent Question: The Economic Advisory Boards

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:39 pm on 22 November 2016.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 2:39, 22 November 2016

I’d like to thank the Member for his questions and say that it’s not necessarily urgent, this question, because it is part of that process of consulting on a new economic strategy, a strategy to make Wales more prosperous and secure—work that is going on, work that has been going on over the summer and the autumn through the winter and into the spring, and so, consequently, this is an ongoing piece of work. No announcement’s been made, no decision has been taken. This is part of an open consultation, which I’ve invited Members opposite to take part in, and so, as I say again, no decision has been made on the form or shape of the panels and the advisory boards that will be put together. But I very much welcome the contribution that people such as Professor Morgan have made. They recognise—just as many businesses have spoken with me about this—that there is a need to simplify and streamline the amount of advice and the amount of boards and the processes by which businesses and experts are able to give me expert advice.

At the moment, there is something in the region of 50 panels and boards offering advice and guidance. That’s helpful in many respects, but I think, as Professor Morgan has outlined, we need to make sure that the time and resource that experts and business leaders put in to giving me advice is used effectively and that I am able to draw on all of that advice. At the moment, there are simply too many boards and panels in existence. Many have been established on a task and finish basis. Some should perhaps be wound up as a consequence of that. At the moment this work is ongoing. We’re consulting widely with the whole of society and I would invite the Member to participate if he feels a wish to.