7. Will the Minister outline the Welsh Government's priorities for businesses in Pembrokeshire over the next 12 months? OQ58161

Thank you. Our priorities continue to be to support new and existing businesses through Business Wales services and the regional support team. We have provided extensive support through the pandemic and post-Brexit trading realities. We're committed to delivering a greener, more equal and prosperous economy for all parts of Wales.

Thank you for that response, Minister. I recently met with Tom Sawyer, the new chief executive of Milford Haven Port Authority, and its chair, Chris Martin, and we discussed how the port is diversifying its revenue and growing its business investment portfolio in retail, leisure and tourism within the region, following the launch of Tŷ Hotels on the Milford Haven waterfront, which I'm sure you'll very much welcome. Now, it's vital that this type of diversification is supported as there are significant opportunities for local businesses in Pembrokeshire, and it can certainly help develop a stronger regional economy for the area as well. So, can you tell us, Minister, what the Welsh Government is doing to support this type of diversification, to help create opportunities and jobs for local businesses?

Well, actually, the development of the hotel was something that was discussed in a meeting earlier today with officials, when looking at diversifying the economy, not just in west Wales, but some of the challenges around port investment as well, because there are also opportunities around port investment. So, we're looking at what that means from the UK Government's perspective. There's obviously going to be a prospectus for free ports, but regardless of the outcome of that, there are opportunities for ports in west Wales. We need clarity on opportunities in the Celtic sea. We need a longer term pipeline for development for the Celtic sea as well. We then need to see what will happen in terms of the mix between private and public investment—that must include the UK Government, as well as us—and then some of the levers we have around skills and investment more generally. So, I do look at the whole picture of all of those different areas—what it means in terms of the visitor economy as a key part of the Pembrokeshire economy, the opportunities for new manufacturing, the opportunities around port investment, and beyond. We'll continue to take a view in different parts of the economy and how we can look to invest alongside others to provide the stronger, more prosperous and greener future that we all wish to see. 

Finally, question 8—Tom Giffard.