7. Welsh Conservatives Debate: Regional Economic Inequality

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:34 pm on 6 February 2019.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 5:34, 6 February 2019

Well, can I thank Rhun ap Iorwerth for his question? I'd dearly love to see many of our railway lines reopen, including the Amlwch line. What's important is that we pursue the UK Government money that's required in order to open lines in a way that sees local authorities working together with Welsh Government, and in doing so, that we develop strategic approaches in order to have the best chance of drawing down what is highly competitive funding. 

Dirprwy Lywydd, rarely will you hear me agree so fundamentally with Russell George in terms of the principles that should be underpinning our economic strategy, but he did articulate, essentially, what stands at the heart of the economic action plan, which is that we must ensure that we grow wealth and well-being in the aggregate, whilst also reducing inequalities in both. But, as I said yesterday, in order to iron out inequality across the UK economy, we need new funding models that are based on more than just economic outcomes, because those models will always ensure that infrastructure spend and research and innovation spend are concentrated in areas that are already wealthy, in the south-east of England, and, of course, in the golden triangle. Instead, we need a new funding model that supports inclusive, fair growth. That means fairer funding not just for Wales, but also for many of the English regions.

But, of course, we shouldn't just pontificate about this, we should show leadership ourselves. I'm pleased to be able to inform Members that regional indicative budgets are being established within the economy and transport portfolio. They will be published this spring, and I regard this as an important part of our approach to securing a greater regional dimension to our work, and, of course, a fair share of Welsh Government investment across the regions. This development does not require legislation, as is being proposed by Plaid Cymru, but it does require, of course, ministerial determination to deliver a fair deal for the regions of Wales at a time when we are calling on the UK Government to ensure that there is a fair deal for Wales.