1. What is the Welsh Government's policy to increase economic prosperity in North Wales? OAQ52981

Our 'Prosperity for All' economic action plan sets out how we intend to support the Welsh economy over the next decade and beyond, and how we can pool the resources, expertise and knowledge we have in Wales to strengthen our economic foundations and futureproof the Welsh economy.

Diolch. In March 2016, the UK Government announced that it was opening the door to a growth deal for north Wales, and called on the Welsh Government to devolve powers down and invest in the region as part of the deal. The bid was submitted to both Governments last December, including calls for the delegation of powers by Welsh Government to north Wales, so that it could operate in an executive capacity in certain areas. Following the UK Government's announcement of £120 million for the growth deal, how do you respond to the statements made from the stage at the north Wales growth bid conference on 1 November, organised by the economic ambition board, 'We've heard of the UK Government commitment but worry about the commitment from the Welsh Government in a smoke and mirrors situation.' So, where is the money, when will it be announced by the Welsh Government, and will this be accepting the bid or instead designing a system, as appears to be the case, where Welsh Government still has those levers of power, and the delegated calls are not necessarily going their way?

That's not a picture we recognise. Negotiations between north Wales partners and the Welsh and UK Governments are advancing well on the north Wales growth bid. Officials from both Governments and north Wales partners attended a workshop last week to discuss and agree a package of proposals and the next steps to enable delivery of the deal. The Cabinet Secretary is meeting with partners on Friday of this week, I believe, and that will all form an integral component of the overall vision for north Wales. So, from our point of view, other than that the UK Government hasn't come up with the entire package of money that we were expecting, the deal is progressing well. 

We all look forward to seeing an early announcement of any support that the Government might give to that work, of course, but if we are serious about the economic prosperity of north Wales, then Brexit wouldn’t happen at all.

Sorry, Llyr, my translator thing is intermittent, I'm afraid. 

Can you borrow the finance Minister's? [Laughter.]

Sorry. We'll try again. 

Llyr Gruffydd.

Thank you very much. I was just making the point that we all look forward to hearing an early announcement, hopefully, from the Cabinet Secretary on any support that the Government may give to the north Wales growth deal. But the point that I wanted to make was: if we’re serious about the economic prosperity of north Wales, then Brexit wouldn’t happen at all. And we have seen, through a London School of Economics report very recently, the impact that many different scenarios will have. But bearing in mind, of course, the reliance of the north Wales economy on manufacturing, on agriculture and food, and the strategic importance of the port of Holyhead, isn’t it clear now that staying within the single market is crucially important in this regard? And can you tell us what you’re doing to ensure that not only the UK Government is ready to confirm that, but that your own party itself in Westminster will make that case?

Yes, it's clear that the current negotiating deal that the Prime Minister is attempting, by any means necessary, to garner up some very much-needed support for is ill-advised as a result of her red lines. She has learnt a little from our proposals, but much too little and much too late. I entirely agree with the Member that the recent forecasts from a number of sources simply underline the economic prospects of a 'no deal' and hard Brexit, and any Brexit that takes us out of the single market and the customs union is also problematic.