1. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's response to the 2 Sisters Food Group's consultation on the closure of its site in Llangefni? OQ59108

Diolch. Welsh Government had no prior knowledge of the announcement of the 2 Sisters Food Group's consultation. We are committed to doing all we can to support the people affected and ensure all parties work together to deliver a sustainable future for the local economy. 

Thank you, Minister. It is now almost a fortnight since the announcement of the consultation—it was a short one anyway. And, although it was clear from the outset that the risk was that this was a decision that had already been made, it is crucial, of course, that the priority is to see whether there is anything that can be done to change the company's mind. But, we must simultaneously prepare for the worst. We are talking about a huge impact on the community—3 per cent of the whole workforce on Anglesey. 

In light of that, would the Minister agree with me that the response must be significant and swift, from the Welsh and UK Governments, given that so much of what has driven this, from Brexit to energy costs, is the responsibility of the UK Government, and, from significant investment in job creation to support with the cost of living, that Ministers in London and Cardiff need to make an early statement that the community, the council and the economic development plans can expect significant financial support?

Thank you. I think 2 Sisters Poultry Ltd are maintaining it's a meaningful consultation and no decision has been made. But, I think you are quite right—we do need, obviously, to prepare for the worst. As I say, we had no prior knowledge of that. I think it would have been helpful had we have had some prior knowledge. We worked very closely with that plant, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic; you'll remember it did have an outbreak, and we worked very closely with them. We have had a relationship with them, so I think it was disappointing that they didn't contact us ahead of the announcement. 

As you know—and you're absolutely a part of the discussions—we are all working in partnership together. On the day of the announcement, both I and the Minister for Economy met with the leader of Ynys Môn county council. Then there were further discussions. The First Minister himself met with the authority on the following morning, and, then, I know you met with the Minister for Economy last Tuesday, and, obviously, the taskforce has now been set up. It was held for the first time on 3 February, when all the partners that you referred to were there, along with the trade union and the Department for Work and Pensions. And I think it is absolutely right that—. This is another example, isn't it, of where Brexit, inflation and the energy crisis are having an absolute detrimental effect on all of our communities, creating that perfect storm that we really don't want to see. But, these are real people who are being affected by this, so we are, once again, urging the UK Government to act quickly to support Welsh businesses, and, as a Government, we will continue to do all we can. 

I'd first like to echo the comments made regarding the devastating impact of the proposed closure of the 2 Sisters Llangefni site, and the real importance for both the UK and Welsh Governments to work together to achieve as positive an outcome as possible. So, I certainly support the Member for Ynys Môn's calls for that. 

It has been positive, Minister, as I'm sure you'd agree, to see that there are companies on the island and beyond looking to offer further employment to those people who are affected. I'm pleased also that Virginia Crosbie, MP for Ynys Môn, has been working with employers to see what opportunities can be provided to those impacted as well. You mentioned, Minister, the taskforce that Welsh Government have set up, and it's certainly good to see that happen as quickly as possible. But, I wonder what further assurances you can give that this taskforce will ensure those impacted are supported through the 45-day consultation period, and what work they are doing to look at the long-term viability of the site. And, then, furthermore, what analysis will that taskforce be making of the impact on the wider community of Ynys Môn and beyond? Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Diolch. So, the taskforce does include Welsh Government, Ynys Môn council, UK Government, the Department for Work and Pensions, the company itself and Unite trade union. There are going to be two parts to it: there's going to be a leadership group, which will obviously have the ministerial input, and then there'll be an operational group, which will be at an official level. And that's to ensure that work progresses at pace. I think that it is really important that that taskforce looks at what we can do to support the affected employees and the communities. It is a really devastating announcement. I absolutely agree with you around that, and I'm aware that the taskforce, on Friday, did absolutely reaffirm its full support.