The Role of Cities in Economic Development

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Economy and Transport – in the Senedd at 2:00 pm on 16 January 2019.

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Photo of David Melding David Melding Conservative 2:00, 16 January 2019

Minister, I hope you and your very promising deputy have had a chance to read the Conservative group's strategy on liveable cities. Indeed, if you and your wider team want us to run a seminar for you, we'd be delighted to inform you of our thoughts.

I think one thing that we were struck by is that some cities around the UK have really been key for economic development in their regions and nations. Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh clearly have had this at the heart of their development, and I think now, with the Cardiff and Swansea city deals, there's a real chance that we can start to think this way—that our cities have to do more than just what they do for their immediate populations. They belong to the regions and, in fact, the whole nation of Wales. And, in driving greater economic ambition, they really have a role that cannot be played by any other economic actor at the moment, and we must see them as a great resource, and they've all got great potential as well.