Our plans for investment across Wales are detailed in the national transport finance plan 2017 update. Transport for Wales are presently responsible for delivering the Wales and borders rail services, which includes increasing services to two trains per hour along the Ebbw line from 2021, benefiting the communities of Islwyn.

Supercomputing Wales will establish two centres of excellence at Cardiff and Swansea universities that will enable the research community and industry to benefit from state-of-the-art computing facilities. It will help expand scientific research in Wales and generate further research funding and inward investment.

In 2016, the last year figures are available for, there were 12,115 business births in Wales, the highest since records began. During the last Assembly term, the number of business births in Wales increased by 47.3 per cent, compared to a UK increase of 58.5 per cent. Through Business Wales and Be The Spark, we are committed to supporting the best environment for entrepreneurs to thrive. 

Our economic action plan is our overarching strategy for growing our economy and helping businesses to develop, grow and prosper across Wales. This includes business support, advice through Business Wales and investment in strategic infrastructure.

The national transport finance plan, updated in 2017, sets out our programme for the next three years and beyond, across Wales. A study to address congestion on the M4 corridor is under way. My officials propose to update you on air quality issues around the M4 in Port Talbot in December.

My officials are currently considering the independent inspector’s report in order to prepare advice for my consideration. I anticipate announcing my decision on the outcome of the scheme shortly. Should the project proceed, construction is planned to start at the beginning of 2020 and take approximately three and a half years to complete.

In August this year, I made £125,000 of funding available to progress survey work and business case development for the Rhondda tunnel. The first progress report from the authority was received in October and confirmed that a project board has been established and work is currently being commissioned.