8. Debate: Valleys Taskforce

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:28 pm on 17 September 2019.

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Photo of Lee Waters Lee Waters Labour 6:28, 17 September 2019

—£27 million in the Rhondda constituency alone from the metro, which you did not acknowledge. The foundational economy fund, I’m confident, will have projects in the Rhondda. The transport-to-work pilot is specifically in Rhondda Fach and the empty homes fund is also open to the Rhondda. So, I don’t think that it is a fair representation of the work that we’re doing in your constituency.

And on the specific example you quoted of the sewing co-operative in Treorchy, it’s a point you’ve previously made in this Chamber. We have written to you setting out the case since then. You continue to make the original point you made, which, I’m afraid, is not an accurate description of what has happened, but I’m meeting you tomorrow—[Interruption.] If I had time, Llywydd, I’d happily address the points from a sedentary position that the Member for the Rhondda is making, but she has a misunderstanding of the situation and I want to engage with her in a constructive and polite way tomorrow to try and talk her through the position we have to see if we can find a way to make sure that we are able to bring investment into Treorchy as well. It’s not a case of one valley against the other. We all have a responsibility to work together to raise up all of the Valleys and we are trying our sincere best, through this project, to do that and the invitation is open to all Assembly Members to engage constructively in that process. Diolch.