5. Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government’s plans for infrastructure in light of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement? OAQ(5)0083(EI)

Yes. The additional funding is welcomed but it does not reverse the cuts to our capital budget over recent years. Our priority will be ensuring that we use this additional funding to support the creation of a prosperous and secure Wales.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. The autumn statement will deliver over £400 million extra capital funding over the next five years for infrastructure projects in Wales. We know that there have been concerns surrounding funding for the metro, particularly in the wake of the European referendum. What plans have you to use some of this extra money to support the metro, particularly in rural areas like my constituency, where outlying areas such as Monmouth could be connected to the proposed transport hub at Celtic Manor?

I’m very interested in the proposed transport hub at Celtic Manor, particularly given the development of the convention centre there and its increasing significance as a major destination in south-east Wales. In terms of costs and resources for the metro project as a whole, we expect every penny that was to come from Europe to come from the UK Government when we exit the EU. The guarantees that we have been given we will hold the UK Government to. This is a hugely ambitious project. It’s designed to be a dynamic project as well that can grow and expand. Certainly, insofar as the proposed Celtic Manor hub is concerned, I’d be very keen to examine this prospective development.