9. 8. Welsh Conservatives Debate: The Welsh Economy

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:40 pm on 24 May 2017.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 4:40, 24 May 2017

This is, in part, what I was just going to come on to in my final point: the important structural element of the Welsh economy that needs to be resolved as part of a new economic strategy. We need to ensure that productivity increases. We need to ensure that our manufacturing base, in particular, is future-proofed against automation. And, crucially, in regard to avoiding dormitory communities, that we raise skills levels of the people of Wales so that we can capture more of the work, more of the economic benefits of infrastructure investments, not just as a dormitory territory serving the south-west, but for the south-east of Wales and, indeed, the whole of the south of Wales. It’s our keen intent to ensure that, through a new place-based approach for economic development, working with leaders of the city deals in the south and the growth deal in the north and, potentially, a growth deal in mid Wales, we do move towards creating opportunities to grow wealth across Wales, and deliver prosperity for all.