4. Statement by the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales: Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:06 pm on 10 June 2020.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 2:06, 10 June 2020

Well, I'd agree entirely with that statement, Jack Sargeant. And I'm sure that many other politicians across the United Kingdom, in other devolved administrations, would agree as well. I've spoken with counterparts in Northern Ireland, for example, who are very anxious about the state of the aviation sector there. And there are concerns in Scotland as well, in many parts, many regions, of England, and particularly in those areas of the UK that are really fragile right now, in terms of the economic status of their respective places. And it's vitally important, therefore, that the UK Government shows strong leadership, that it uses the fire-power that it and it alone has to support the sector, and that it does so without delay. And there are some specific schemes in Wales that could be supported that would enhance the prospects of the aviation sector. I could point again back to the advanced technology research centre that is proposed for Deeside, the work that the UK Government could do in supporting the advanced manufacturing research centre around Airbus's determination in Broughton to capture the wing of tomorrow. These projects are going to be hugely important if the aviation and aerospace sectors of the UK are going to survive this turbulent period.