Inward Investment in the North Wales Region

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Economy and Transport and North Wales – in the Senedd at 1:45 pm on 7 October 2020.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 1:45, 7 October 2020

Can I thank Jack Sargeant and say that his question is actually very timely, because I've just come out of a virtual meeting with the local area board, who oversee the AMRC and economic development opportunities across Deeside industrial park and the enterprise zone? I was pleased to receive a comprehensive briefing from Bill Duckworth, the excellent site manager at Tata in Shotton, and also from Andy Silcox, who brilliantly runs the AMRC at Broughton. And I learned today that there is not only potential for Tata Shotton to host a Heathrow logistics hub, but also a logistics hub for floating offshore wind industries and possibly for off-site modular housing—incredibly exciting programmes.

Also, we know that the Northern Gateway is one of the most attractive development sites in north Wales at the moment. I'm optimistic about being able to say something positive in the near future concerning job creation, and what we're doing there complements what we're investing in across north Wales. And I recently announced—Members will be aware—the establishment of a development company for Trawsfynydd to look at all opportunities for that part of north Wales as well. 

We are investing across the region, creating jobs in record numbers, and we have a pandemic to overcome, but we are confident that, by working as a partner to local authorities, we have the strongest team in north Wales to overcome this challenge.