5. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport: Digital Innovation — Responding to the Brown Review

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:42 pm on 1 December 2020.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Russell George Russell George Conservative 3:42, 1 December 2020

Can I thank the Minister for his statement today and the advance copy as well? Of course, as the Minister said, he's been passionate about this since he came into the Senedd in 2016, so I'm aware of that as well. Can I also thank Professor Brown for his report as well in terms of the challenges and opportunities of digital innovation? And from my perspective, I think we've seen a step change in terms of technological advances as a result of the pandemic. I'm working from home today, and actually having quite a challenge with technology, as it happens, today. 

But I wonder if the Deputy Minister could set out what the Welsh Government has done to evaluate how public services have adapted in the context of the pandemic, perhaps both negative and positive. There's also the traditional delivery of services, and I'm just keen that we ensure that it isn't inferior for those who remain digitally excluded, of course. Professor Brown has previously said that digital innovation should not be seen as just technological advances—it's about transforming organisational cultures and increasing digital inclusion needs as a priority. So, how does the Welsh Government intend to ensure that everyone is taken with them on this particular agenda, I suppose, in terms of those who are vulnerable, those who might come from areas of multiple deprivation, those who come from a different starting point, I suppose, in terms of their confidence in using particular technology and various skills?

I know Professor Brown has said that he wants to have a national conversation in regard to digital invitation, so I am pleased that the Deputy Minister has just talked about putting out his proposals in draft, if you like, first. I welcome that. He does say he welcomes challenge and criticism, so I look forward to that because sometimes the Deputy Minister doesn't like criticism, so I'm pleased with that.

I know, in the past, that others, academics and experts, have suggested that there should be a digital inclusion tsar—a digital inclusion tsar—so I wonder if perhaps the Deputy Minister can outline what he thinks of that particular proposal. And in terms of, then, how Government is going to be scrutinised—how he is, his officials, departments—how are they going to be scrutinised and held to account in terms of delivering digital innovation across the whole of Welsh Government? I know on 29 September the Deputy Minister said that he would provide a further update in November in regards to covering Superfast Cymru deployment. I don't think there's been any update and we're now in December, so correct me if I'm wrong, but if the Deputy Minister could update on that, because, clearly, there is that divide between the haves and the have-nots, which often—not exclusively—is between urban and rural Wales. So, perhaps you can update on that.

And again, this is one of the Deputy Minister's favourite talking points, but, in terms of automation and artificial intelligence, advances are being made so quickly that perhaps business and even Government can't keep up. So, in terms of that, there are those that are being skilled at the moment perhaps whose skills will not be needed in perhaps even a shorter time than perhaps we might have expected. So, how is the Government dealing with that, and in terms of what the Government is doing in reaping the benefits of digital innovation as well? And finally, I wondered perhaps if the Deputy Minister could outline what discussions he's had with the finance Minister in terms of increases in research and development funding to achieve what, essentially, he wants to achieve.