2. Will the Minister make a statement on the announcement by Marco Cable Management that they are to close their site on Anglesey? 347

Our deepest sympathies go to everybody affected by this worrying news. This is a deeply uncertain time for the workers at Marco Cable, for their families and, I think, also for the wider Anglesey community, but we will work closely with everybody concerned during the consultation period to explore every available option to assist and support people. 

Thank you very much. I was genuinely disappointed from hearing this news. We’re talking about good jobs with a company that we thought had a sustainable presence in Llangefni, and not much time has passed since I was discussing with Marco the possibility of expansion. Now, we’re talking about the loss of jobs, and I think more than anything today we’re thinking about the 40 staff who are facing job losses and their families. Even though mention has been made about this site in West Bromwich offering jobs, (1) not many will be able to or will desire to move and (2) we don’t want people to have to leave their communities. So, we’re asking for certainty on several levels: first of all, that everything is done to try to support the company in changing its mind; that every support is given to managers who would want to take the business forward in their own way; that everything is done to help those who lost their jobs to find new positions; and that all effort will be made to ensure the best use of the site for economic activity as a matter of urgency.

This was a company that was rooted on Anglesey. It was established in 2003 in Llangefni and later became a part of the Atco International group. Such a common story—and isn't this yet another example of what happens when indigenous companies sell up to companies that have no real attachment, then, to a community? There's also the inherent threat of being at the mercy of external investors—something that can be so valuable, of course, to the Welsh economy, but it leaves us very vulnerable. We saw with Rehau in Amlwch, didn't we, recently, another company that had been a very, very good employer locally deciding to pull out at a whim. Now, this vulnerability is something that should be of huge concern to us. We've had announcement after announcement after announcement of major job losses, not just on Anglesey, but throughout Wales. Please, Minister, tell us what the Government is planning to do to stem this flow. 

The Member raises a series of important points and questions. On the last point that he raised, I think it's worth recognising that, whilst we have lost many jobs in recent times, we have also led to the creation of many jobs as well. And it is deeply, deeply disappointing that Marco have decided to consult on closure, but the Welsh Government has invested in new businesses and existing businesses that have helped to drive down economic inactivity to the average that the UK stands at, which is unprecedented. We've been able to create a record number of jobs in our country as well. Therefore, whilst I would say that the loss of 40 jobs is incredibly, incredibly damaging for the community, we have that track record of creating alternative employment and we will deploy all of our resources to the area, to the community, to ensure that alternative employment there is secured. However, I would share and echo the Member's point that very few of the people who could be affected—and I will say 'could be affected'—by the closure will likely choose to move to West Bromwich, nor should they have to. It's always been my view that you shouldn't have to move out of your community if you're striving to move up in the world. Therefore, we'll be working with the local authority and with other stakeholders to identify other opportunities. We will be deploying the usual and successful methods of supporting individuals, with the help of Careers Wales and Jobcentre Plus. 

Until the announcement, as the Member rightly identified, we had been supporting Marco for some time with plans to expand and extend their current premises, which are owned by us, the Welsh Government, so this news was a surprise and was in no way expected. But I'm pleased to say that my officials are moving quickly to respond to this news. Just this morning, my officials met with the vice president for HR of the company, along with the representative of the Isle of Anglesey County Council. My officials have also made the Department for Work and Pensions aware of the situation. They've been informed of the development, and our understanding is that the DWP had not themselves been formally notified by the company. I can assure the Member that we will be opposing the closure of the business, but we will prepare for the worst nonetheless. We have until March 2020 to identify alternative opportunities for the 40 individuals that could be affected by this announcement, but our hope is that we would still be able to turn around the fortunes of the company and to keep it on Anglesey. 

Thank you very much, Minister.