The Mersey Dee Area

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Economy – in the Senedd at 1:50 pm on 23 March 2022.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 1:50, 23 March 2022

Yes. On both the first points, yes, I am very pleased to continue my stated support for Wrexham's bid to be the UK City of Culture. I know that the Member, and indeed the one-time director of Wrexham Supporters Trust, the constituency Member for Wrexham, have been very clear in their support for the bid as well, as indeed are people across the region and outside. It enjoys cross-party support.

And I also think it would be a very sensible move to ensure that Manchester City and Liverpool fans don't travel to London for the FA Cup semi-final, and that would have wider benefits as well.

And when it comes to developments in the Mersey Dee area, my officials continue to work directly with the counties on both sides of the border to try to understand how we maximise the opportunities that do exist in a range of sectors, from offshore wind to nuclear to marine energy, and of course a range of cross-border supply issues. So, I'm very optimistic about the strength of the partnership that exists, and a recognition that investment in this part of the UK, whether on the Welsh side of the border or the other side, will have a significant and positive impact. So, we'll continue to have those purposive, and what I hope will be productive, conversations.