<p>Economic Growth</p>

Part of 2. 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure – in the Senedd at 2:51 pm on 1 March 2017.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 2:51, 1 March 2017

I think that’s an unfair assessment that, actually, demonstrates a lack of confidence and, dare I say it, pride in the Welsh economy. The fact is that the GVA of the Mersey Dee area, the north-east of Wales, and the local authority areas of Cheshire and the Wirral, amount to something in the region of 50 per cent of the GVA of Wales as a whole. Between them, they are huge economic forces, and they should also—both the Welsh and English partners—be in the driving seat of the Northern Powerhouse agenda. I do not wish to see Wales as a passenger in this area; I wish Wales to be driving the Northern Powerhouse initiative, and for that reason it is essential that we make sure the entire region is properly and fully connected. For that reason in turn, I am looking at developing a third crossing for the Menai strait and looking at improving the port infrastructure, so that we can have an access of economic prosperity that leads from Holyhead right through England, but which also connects, crucially, to the economy of Ireland.