3. Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport: The Economic Action Plan

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:13 pm on 12 December 2017.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Hefin David Hefin David Labour 3:13, 12 December 2017

I welcome the economic plan, and Adam Price has already made reference in the Chamber to my Cardiff University briefing back in September. I had no sight of the action plan before the embargo, but I would say that it does reflect some of the things that we've been talking about as backbenchers on this side of the Chamber, certainly the introduction, and particularly the foundational economy. You mentioned human capital, Adam Price mentioned social capital, and I think that is the key. I don't think you answer that question, though, through institution building, it's got to be said; I think you answer it through skill building, which was the gist of my question to the First Minister earlier. I think that's what the focus should be, particularly in the foundational sector.

So, in order to recognise the time constraints and cut things short, I'd like to reflect on that question I asked the First Minister earlier. Where you've got microfirms and self-employed people bidding for contracts collectively, how do you ensure—and how will this plan ensure—those foundational sectors are able to continue and sustain their collaborative working through skill development, sustain that collaborative working beyond the contracts to which they apply, to ensure that you aren't just creating a short-term collaborative approach, but you're sustaining that for the longer term?