1. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of any kind of Brexit on the economy of north-east Wales? OAQ53198

Leaving the EU will damage the economy. The failure of the UK Government to secure parliamentary agreement for their deal risks a 'no deal' outcome. The Prime Minister must commit to negotiate an EU exit as outlined in 'Securing Wales’ Future', which remains the least damaging form of Brexit.  

Thank you very much. In 2016, exports from the counties of Flintshire and Wrexham were worth £5 billion and 87 per cent of those were exported to the European Union. Now, do you agree that the best way of maintaining that level of exports and all of the jobs and economic benefits that come in their wake is to remain within the European Union? If you do agree, what’s your Government doing to ensure that that happens?

Exports, of course, are very important to the economy of Wales and the north east, and, on the whole, as the Member has acknowledged in his question, the percentage of exports from Wales is higher than other parts of the UK to Europe. The best way possible of ensuring the prosperity of exports in the future is as close a relationship as possible with the single market, the kind of thing that we haven’t seen in a political statement from the Prime Minister in Westminster. I hope that there will be an opportunity over the next few days—the Prime Minister there has said that she’s willing to discuss with other parties. It’s important that those discussions include the possibility of a customs union and working closer with the single market.

On a positive note, we have Airbus in north-east Wales, which has made its own concerns known. If we don't have a transition deal, then perhaps those who voted against the Prime Minister's deal should consider the risks that they have added of that not happening. However, on a positive note, and despite potential outcomes in this context, the UK defence and aerospace industry recorded a £10 billion increase in deals over the last 12 months, with the total deals valued at £31 billion. Last month, Airbus welcomed the announcement of the aerospace sector deal—providing, they said, a firm commitment to the UK's investment in research and design, and an inclusive, productive aerospace sector is one that embraces the technology of tomorrow, including a commitment to £125 million of funding to be matched by Airbus and industry. Are you able to tell us, notwithstanding that this might stretch beyond your brief, what discussions you've had with your colleagues in Welsh Government over what their role might be or already is in developing the aerospace sector deal with the UK Government, Airbus and other aerospace sector companies in Wales?

There is work going on in relation to that. I should just say that the Minister for Economy and Transport has held round-tables with large employers in north-east Wales over the course of the last year, including Airbus. We all know, as the Member indicated in his question, that Airbus was one of the companies that were very clear about their position if we were to leave the European Union without the transition deal. I take issue with the premise of the Member's question. It isn't the case that the only alternative to the Prime Minister's deal is no deal, which we believe would be very, very bad news indeed for Wales. The opportunity now exists for the Prime Minister to reach out across the House of Commons and seek to negotiate a deal with other parties that reflects the principles that are set out in 'Securing Wales' Future' and that this Assembly have endorsed, most recently in early December. 

Can I start by thanking the Member, Llyr Gruffydd, for North Wales, for recognising the importance of the north-east Wales economy? I was very pleased last Friday to welcome the First Minister for Wales and our new Minister for north Wales to Alyn and Deeside and just over the constituency border in Delyn, where we had an opportunity to discuss Brexit in a Brexit business conference, with over 150 business delegates in attendance, including the likes of Airbus. Now, the messages from that conference were pretty clear: that there's still a need for clarity and cross-party co-operation, and I think this is even more important now following the UK Government's disastrous defeat in the House of Commons yesterday. Counsel General, would you be willing to meet with me to discuss further the findings from the Brexit conference, and also to give you an insight on the business voice in north-east Wales to help you with your organisation and planning of the Welsh Government's response to Brexit?

Thank you for that question. I was aware of the event on Friday 11 January, which the First Minister attended, and also the Minister for the economy, and I noted that it was a very interesting discussion and a good opportunity to hear at first hand the sort of anxieties that employers large and small are feeling in north-east Wales. I know the work that the Member himself is doing in his own constituency in relation to understanding concerns that local businesses have in relation to Brexit, and I'd be very happy to meet with him to discuss that further.