3. 2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:23 pm on 27 June 2017.

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Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 2:23, 27 June 2017

I thank Julie Morgan for raising this today. Indeed, you were able to raise it just after the news had broken last week when the Cabinet Secretary was undertaking his oral questions. Also, Jenny Rathbone and, of course, Anna McMorrin—we saw her raising this in the House of Commons very clearly and forcefully. It’s devastating news for the workforce and their families, as you identified, Julie. The First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for economy have already spoken to Matt Davies, the chief executive of Tesco, to express our concerns at this decision, and reiterated our commitments to do everything we can to support the workers during this very difficult period, clearly working in close collaboration with Tesco and the major support agencies locally, including Careers Wales, Jobcentre Plus, colleges and Cardiff council, to deliver a comprehensive package of support for the workers affected by this decision. But also, importantly, USDAW, the union, is working very closely with colleagues to provide the support they need, and is closely engaged in the ongoing consultation. I think this clearly has to be a matter on which the Cabinet Secretary and the Government will be updating Members accordingly, taking on board the importance, of course, of this being raised this afternoon in the business statement.