2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:43 pm on 12 February 2019.

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Photo of Rebecca Evans Rebecca Evans Labour 2:43, 12 February 2019

Thank you very much for raising those issues. Certainly, Welsh Government very much welcomes yesterday's announcement of that additional £10 million of funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council for a £35 million research network aimed at reducing carbon emissions from the UK iron and steel industries. It really is excellent news, and I would like to congratulate Swansea University on the work that it's done to bring that funding to Wales, and it certainly builds on the investment that Welsh Government has made in the establishment of the Steel and Metals Institute in Swansea, which was opened in February of last year. The Minister for Economy and Transport has indicated that he'd be happy to bring forward a joint statement with the Minister for Education to respond to the points you raised in your contribution. 

On the matter of the Banksy artwork and street art more widely, Welsh Government, of course, channels its investment in the arts through the Arts Council of Wales, which is there to support a wide variety of art forms, including all forms of visual art, so that would include street art. It's also able to provide funding for individuals and it does so extensively, mainly through the funds it receives from the National Lottery.

On the specific issue of the Banksy artwork, as you know, we're meeting the security costs prior to  the removal and relocation of that to another site in Port Talbot. Talks are continuing between Welsh Government, the new owner and the local authority to ensure that a suitable new location is found as soon as possible. Indeed, I understand that there some discussions just this week on that, and the new owner has committed to ensuring that the new art will be displayed in Port Talbot for a minimum of two years, which I think is very welcome, and I know that the Minister is giving thought more widely to the future for the celebration of contemporary art here in Wales