29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Dyfodol dur yng Nghymru
The Senedd outreach team did an engagement with the local community and, indeed, some of the wider communities. Obviously, the comments that came back were quite damning, to be honest with you. The community felt very let down. In some of the comments they…
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Dyfodol dur yng Nghymru
Talking of future investments, people have talked of a new plate mill and direct reduced iron plant. I appreciate we're seeing the arc furnace and its associated developments taking shape now. Are you able to give the committee any assurances around…
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Dyfodol dur yng Nghymru
And the jobs to be created, are those still on target and in accordance with the commitments given?
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Dyfodol dur yng Nghymru
Thank you. Cabinet Secretary, we're seeing building going on at Port Talbot at the moment, with the new arc furnace taking shape there. How confident are you that the building work is proceeding as planned and will be operational by 2027?
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Dyfodol dur yng Nghymru
Good morning and welcome back to our second evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for the economy, on the steel industry. I'm going to do my usual invite to the Cabinet Secretary and officials to introduce themselves and state their position within the…
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Mewnfuddsoddi: Panel 5
Okay. Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. That concludes the questions in this particular session. We'll now move into private session while we move the deckchairs around, and we'll resume at 10:40, if anyone wants to get a coffee or take a comfort break.
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Mewnfuddsoddi: Panel 5
I recognise that, Cabinet Secretary, and the £5 million extra that was allocated in the final budget. But Medr are quite insistent on this point, that, obviously, the resource doesn't meet the demand. Do you recognise that fact, that there isn't enough…
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Mewnfuddsoddi: Panel 5
One final point, if I may, Cabinet Secretary, on skills in particular. We've taken evidence about the ability to work with companies, when they come to locate in Wales, about developing a skill base, especially in vocational skills. Now, we know full well…
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Mewnfuddsoddi: Panel 5
Thank you. That would be helpful. Thank you.
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Mewnfuddsoddi: Panel 5
Just before Alun asks his question, could I just press a bit on this point that Jenny and Alun have been pursuing about, in effect, regional aid from the UK Government to support economic development and entice inward investment, similar to what maybe was…
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Mewnfuddsoddi: Panel 5
Of £100 million, isn't it?
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Mewnfuddsoddi: Panel 5
Well, I'll invite Alun to ask his questions then, and he might elicit a response.
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Mewnfuddsoddi: Panel 5
Feel free to speak up about the UK Government, Rebecca.
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Mewnfuddsoddi: Panel 5
Okay, thank you.
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Mewnfuddsoddi: Panel 5
So you think what we've got at the moment is a sensible approach to planning, despite, obviously, the evidence the committee has received to say that there are these local interpretations that are making confusion in the picture.
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Mewnfuddsoddi: Panel 5
Just on planning, if I may, we took considerable evidence from a number of witnesses who highlighted you have the national guidance, you have, obviously, PEDW dealing with projects of national significance, but there is a bit of a quagmire when it comes to…
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Mewnfuddsoddi: Panel 5
Jenny.
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Mewnfuddsoddi: Panel 5
Thank you. Luke.
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Mewnfuddsoddi: Panel 5
You talked about two invitations you delivered personally at embassies, and telephone conversations, to promote the inward investment conference. How many conversations to actually bring people to the conference did you personally have to have, Cabinet…
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Mewnfuddsoddi: Panel 5
Russell, I think you had something to say.
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Mewnfuddsoddi: Panel 5
That's helpful clarity. Luke.
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Mewnfuddsoddi: Panel 5
So, they're almost like honorary consuls as such, then, are they? Would that be a better way of describing them? Because from the evidence I just heard from you, Cabinet Secretary—I'm sure you weren't saying it to mislead me—it felt as if they were paid roles…
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Mewnfuddsoddi: Panel 5
The envoy role is?
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Mewnfuddsoddi: Panel 5
Okay. Just before I ask Luke to ask his question, you said about the three envoys that had been appointed. Is that part of the £750,000 that's been allocated to the overseas office for additional activity, which is highlighted in the culture and international…
29 Ionawr 2026 , Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Mewnfuddsoddi: Panel 5
Tom.
