The Valleys Taskforce

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Economy and Transport – in the Senedd at 2:12 pm on 8 May 2019.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Alun Davies Alun Davies Labour 2:12, 8 May 2019

It's good to hear that the Minister has visited Blaenau Gwent and is pursuing the work that the Valleys taskforce has laid out in its objectives. He will be aware from our conversations that one of the disappointments I had as Minister for this area was that we weren't able to complete the work on a strategic economic plan for the Heads of the Valleys. He will be aware that the Bevan Foundation and others have demonstrated the need for a specifically tailored economic plan for the Heads of the Valleys, stretching from Hirwaun across to Brynmawr, and it is important, because there are particular issues that affect those communities. We also know that the dualling of the A465 is an economic tool to pursue and to create conditions for economic investment in those communities. I would be grateful if the Minister could update us on the work that he's undertaking in creating a plan for jobs and economic development in those communities in the Heads of the Valleys.