3. Statement by the Minister for Economy: Regional Economic Development

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:10 pm on 4 October 2022.

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Photo of Sarah Murphy Sarah Murphy Labour 3:10, 4 October 2022

Thank you, Minister, for providing this statement today. Just to pick up on your points there, and, Luke, your questions about free ports, I would hope, then, that that would mean that the Welsh Government would never make a deal with DP World, which owns P&O Ferries and sacked 800 of their staff. Unsurprisingly, but disappointingly, the UK Government, two of their largest are run by DP World, Dubai based, and they have given them £50 million to do that.

I'd also just like to say as well that the UK parliamentary representative in my community keeps calling for it to be in Porthcawl. I would just like to say that I haven't heard a single person in my community call for a 44 km free port to be in our Porthcawl marina, although we would, of course, like to benefit from, as you said, the community welfare, the jobs and everything that comes from it; for example, we've always had a very close relationship with Port Talbot. So, yes, just to say that on behalf of my community.

I just wanted to say as well that the Welsh Government has recently invested in a multimillion-pound site at Brocastle, and there is further investment in the infrastructure to accompany the new site, with a £2 million active travel route. This is great news for the local economy and opportunities for jobs. However, we do know that more can be done, and the Ford site continues to be a reminder of the opportunity for investment in our communities. I know that you are working very hard to get that sorted out.