Can I thank the Member for his questions and also for agreeing with my sentiments concerning Tesco’s decision? I’ll deal with that final point first, if I may. It wasn’t just the Welsh Government that was not informed in good time about the decision. The UK Government—I think that the Secretary of State is on record as saying that they were not given advance notice either. I think everybody has been critical of the way that Tesco allowed loyal skilled employees to learn first on social media about their fate. The Scottish Government were not given advance notice. There were no discussions with the Scottish Government, and I’m not aware of any discussions that took place with the regional authorities in England concerning today’s announcement either.

Tesco have decided to make these announcements without consulting with any level of government whatsoever. Indeed, our engagement comes primarily through the Welsh Contact Centre Forum, which acts as, as it says, a forum for contact centre businesses. Unfortunately, it appears that engagement by Tesco with the forum itself did not lead to any advance notice of this decision being made. Again, that is deeply regrettable, and I have expressed this to the company—I’ve said it publicly.

It’s important that sector organisations, such as the contact centre forum, are given the trust by those employers who rely on those bodies for advice, for opportunities, and for sharing best practice and sector intelligence. I would invite Tesco, as a major employer in the Welsh economy, to engage more thoroughly with the Welsh Contact Centre Forum, and with retail sector bodies as well, to ensure that, as we move forward, as many job opportunities can be saved, and, indeed, as many of those who may be affected by the decision, if the job losses are indeed implemented, can find alternative work—.

The Member asks a very important question about how many jobs could be salvaged within the Tesco group. This is something that I’ve asked the company in various discussions and meetings. It is likely, we are told, that a number of jobs can be salvaged within the wider Tesco group within this region. Pinning the company down to an exact figure at the moment is not possible, because the company itself is not able to gauge how many opportunities there are across the region. However, it’s clear that it won’t be anywhere near the 1,000 plus jobs that they propose to lose, and for that reason it’s important that we look at bringing forward a number of pipeline projects—inward investment projects—that could be used to absorb a significant number of the job losses that could follow the 45-day consultation.

I’m also working closely with the trade unions and with local Members as well to make sure that there is a co-ordinated response to this across the political spectrum and with our social partners. I’ve spoken with USDAW on numerous occasions, I’ve spoken with the local Members of Parliament who have raised this matter in the Commons and I’ve also spoken with Assembly Members. I think it’s absolutely imperative now that Tesco continue to work with the Wales Contact Centre Forum and, of course, with Welsh Government, and, indeed, with the council here in Cardiff, to identify as many opportunities as possible for the people that have been loyal to them for many years. This is an award-winning facility and the loyal workers who have been employed there deserve every opportunity to get back into employment if they miss out on work after the 45-day consultation period.