3. Will the First Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's policies for supporting the economy in south-east Wales? OAQ54719

Our policies include safeguarding the south-east Wales economy from the adverse impacts of Brexit by investing in people, places and businesses through skills, infrastructure and business support.

Thank you, Minister, for that question. I'm sure that you'll agree that the economy is underpinned by a strong transport infrastructure. Day after day, the economy of Chepstow in my constituency is suffering from immense traffic congestion. This gateway town to Wales needs urgent assistance, as it's an important part not just of the Welsh road network, but also the UK network as well.

I've raised this with the Minister for Economy and Transport before now. I wonder if you could update us on where we are at the moment with the potential for a new bypass for Chepstow. It is made more complex by the fact that two thirds of the bypass would be across the border in England, so it requires some strong cross-border working. So, perhaps you could tell us what mechanisms are in place within the Welsh Government so that once this period is over and moving into the next year, there will be strong links with the UK Government so that you can make sure that that road is progressed.

As you know, the economy and transport Minister has been working with counterparts in England—there is work between the two Governments. As you recognise, it's a cross-border issue for the road infrastructure you referred to, and we will have to wait until after the UK general election is concluded, and then I'm sure that Ken Skates looks forward to working with Andrew McDonald in his new role.

I asked for that, didn't I? [Laughter.]

A statement by the economy Minister last night confirmed that the Welsh Government has been meeting the Community union and the consultants Syndex to try to find a way forward for the Orb steel plant in Newport. Now, obviously, that's very welcome news. I wonder whether the Minister can share some information with us in terms of what has been proposed.

Firstly, could he tell us how advanced these talks are with what I understand are two interested buyers and tell us how quickly this can progress, given that there is a general election under way? With the fact that the plant is due to close by the end of the year, it would be useful to know whether the workers are being kept informed of developments so that they can plan for the future.

Finally, Minister, I'd like to know, given the economy Minister's statement that the UK Government is not being helpful, whether the Welsh Government will consider giving the plant the support it needs to stay open under different management. 

The economy Minister has been directly engaged, together with the First Minister, in conversations with the steel union Community and their consultants on an outline proposal that could see the Orb plant have a proper future. A summary of their proposal was received within the last week, and the economy Minister has also set out that Tata Steel should provide more time for that proposal to be properly considered.

It's also worth, again, putting on record the incredible disappointment and frustration of the Welsh Government at the lack of action by the UK Government to give the steel sector a real future. On a personal note, I have a steel manufacturer within my own constituency. I know that differential energy prices are a significant problem for the steel sector. It's within the gift of the UK Government to do something about that, but, more than that, they could just actually show up.

When it comes to the UK Steel Council, the economy Minister here has called for meetings for more than a year since that council last met. Andrea Leadsom finally agreed to do so, then cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice. That is not the conduct of a Government that is serious about supporting the steel sector. I only wish we had a UK Government that would support the steel sector, as we do in the Welsh Government, and I look forward to a change in that approach on 13 December.

Minister, it's been two and a half years since the Welsh Government announced the £100 million investment in a technology park, at the time, in Ebbw Vale. Many people in Ebbw Vale and the wider part of Blaenau Gwent want to see what is happening to that £100 million investment and want to see evidence of that investment taking place. I'd be grateful if the Government would be able to make a statement on this matter, and I would like to invite Ministers to Ebbw Vale to discuss with the residents there what we are doing, and what the Welsh Government is doing, to make that £100 million investment a reality.

I'm sure that the Minister and his deputy, who are in the Chamber, will have heard you and will take seriously the request about a statement, but also about a visit to Ebbw Vale to see directly the work that is taking place on the ground.