Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:33 pm on 7 December 2021.
First Minister, having met with some of the colleagues that we have in the Westminster Parliament, the UK Government does recognise, in improving transport connections, as do you, that they are an important part of helping people access job opportunities and supporting business growth all across Wales. And I completely agree with you—levelling up is very important to them, as much as it is to all of us. That is why they are actually investing record amounts in Wales's railway infrastructure, including more than £1.5 billion in the Wales route from 2019 to 2024, £5.7 billion on new InterCity express trains on the Great Western main line, £125 million on the Wales Valleys lines upgrades, and £50 million on resignalling on the north Wales coast main line.
The Hendy report, as you mentioned—I appreciate it; you welcome it, and I welcome it too—said that devolution has been good for transport and delivery has been devolved, but that this has resulted in a lack of attention to connectivity between the nations of the United Kingdom. The UK Government stands ready to support any rail infrastructure scheme, including new stations, with a strong business case behind it. Will you, First Minister, welcome the Prime Minister's commitment to improving transport infrastructure in Wales, and will you commit to working collaboratively with the UK Government on the Hendy proposals to improve transport to strengthen the Welsh economy and provide greater connectivity?