8. How is the Minister using cross-cutting measures to promote prosperity in North Wales? OQ57615

We're working across portfolio and across Government to increase access to fair work. This includes promoting benefits of the real living wage for employers, for workers and for our communities. A better deal for workers, built on social partnership and fair work, is essential to broader prosperity throughout Wales including in north Wales. 

Thank you, Deputy Minister, for your response. I'm sure that you'll agree with me that one of the best ways of tackling poverty is to promote prosperity, and one of the best ways to move out of poverty is to be in a good, secure job and for businesses to be thriving to allow that to happen. I'm sure the Deputy Minister will be aware that one of my favourite bedtime readings is the co-operation agreement between your Government and Plaid Cymru, and whilst there's rightfully a number of mentions in there in terms of tackling poverty, I was disappointed to see the word 'prosperity' was not used once through that document, which may feel like a small issue to some, Llywydd, but it's actually about setting a positive tone about ambition for us here in Wales. In light of this, Minister, what discussions are you having with the Minister for Economy to ensure prosperity is promoted, while ensuring that jobs and careers are available throughout north Wales in order to help alleviate poverty? Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Can I thank the Member for his question, although I hesitate to say maybe he needs to get out more if his favourite bedtime reading is the co-operation agreement? [Laughter.] But, no, I take on board that language is important in terms of what we do in terms of actually how we frame things and how we connect things together, because like I said in the opening statement, fair work and opportunity don't just benefit the individual that we're creating those opportunities for, but benefit, obviously, particularly small businesses and benefit our town centres and communities as people spend their money and invest locally as well. So, clearly, I work very, very closely with the Minister for Economy and I think I'd say across our social justice portfolio we have that connection between what I refer to as social justice and then the economic justice side, so the fair work, the living wage and the partnership working. So, I work very closely with the Minister for Economy to make sure things are as aligned as they can be, and, of course, as a Minister for the whole of Wales, I always consider the whole of Wales, but as a proud north Walian, I keep a keen eye on matters in north Wales. 

I thank the Deputy Minister and the Minister.