2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:35 pm on 11 June 2019.

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Photo of Rebecca Evans Rebecca Evans Labour 3:35, 11 June 2019

Thank you very much to Huw Irranca-Davies for that invitation. I will start by firstly addressing some of the points about First Cymru. Obviously, the First Cymru buses operate predominantly in south-west Wales, based in Swansea, and, as Huw Irranca-Davies says, they have already provided reassurance that it does envisage business as usual for its bus network, as a result of a reorganisation of the FirstGroup's business. But, nonetheless, we will obviously be keeping a very close eye on the situation, and keeping in very close touch with the business, for any possible implications for bus services as a result of FirstGroup's proposals for reorganising its business, including any potential sale of the bus arm. I will ask the Minister for transport to provide you with some further information about our bus services support grant, which is a £25 million annual grant to local authorities to subsidise buses and community transport services, and also some further information about what we're doing to support buses in those areas that are more remote, and on those routes that might not be commercially viable.

I will have a further discussion with the Deputy Minister for economy in terms of the request for a statement, or a debate, on co-operatives. I know that he does have some plans to do some work on co-operatives during Co-operatives Fortnight. And in terms of opportunities for Members to contribute, we do have the opportunities to ask Ministers questions during their question time, and also the potential for individual Member debates and so on, although I can't recall when the next opportunity for that is.