Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:06 pm on 7 February 2017.
May I ask for a Government statement on its policy of devolving jobs to different parts of Wales? We heard, of course, the questions earlier on the decision on the Welsh Revenue Authority. We’ve also heard references this afternoon to the possibility that the Welsh development bank jobs will be located perhaps in north Wales or other parts of Wales. The Secretary for the economy even suggested that there was a possible intention to relocate or create a presence for Cadw in other parts of Wales, too. The impression one gets—or, the question I want to ask is: is there is a pan-governmental strategy? Is there something co-ordinated and deliberate? Because it appears to be quite ad hoc, with departments working in their own silos. I think a statement would be an opportunity for the Government to set out their stall in terms of this agenda and how they intend to achieve it. It would also be an opportunity, of course, to discuss the criteria referred to by the Member for Arfon earlier, because if those are the criteria used on each occasion, then there is a question as to whether we will ever see some of these posts relocated to an area such as north Wales. And most importantly, of course, having such a statement would provide greater clarity for everyone in terms of how all parts of Wales can be confident that this is a Government for the whole of Wales.