Department of Work and Pensions Jobs at Treforest

Part of 3. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 3:34 pm on 9 May 2018.

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Photo of John Griffiths John Griffiths Labour 3:34, 9 May 2018

I would like to reinforce, Minister, that it does seem as if the UK Government is seeking political cover for the decision that they've made by trying to explain it, at least partly, in terms of aligning with Welsh Government policy on the location of jobs and relocation of jobs to the Valleys, because, as well as Better Jobs, Closer to Home moving in the opposite direction to that alleged rationale, we also have, of course, Welsh Government policy to regenerate town and city centres. In Newport, for example, some 370 jobs are located in Sovereign House in the city centre, in the benefits office, which would be relocated. So, that would then go against a policy of trying to find use for these city centre premises, and also take spend out of the local economy. So, it would be entirely opposed to a major strand of Welsh Government policy, and have a major impact on that local Newport city centre economy.