, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
That model that was set out for GB Energy could be quite worrying in terms of its interaction with Ynni Cymru, because, in essence, what we could have here is a private finance initiative for the renewable sector. So, this is something that we need to keep a…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Diolch, Llywydd. Over the past two years, Citizens Advice Cymru has provided more assistance with energy debt and crisis support than at any other time in the past five years. Much has been made in recent weeks of Great British Energy, since it was announced…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language: Tata Steel
I welcome the news that Tata is stepping back from its threat to close those blast furnaces early. Had the decision gone ahead, it would have been disastrous. I also would refer to something that the Cabinet Secretary for the economy said in the economy…
, Plenary
Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal: A Community Energy Benefits bill
This is, of course, a very welcome and important debate, and I fear that there's a bit of a theme appearing on the Plaid Cymru benches in discussing this in the context of history. Because it is the history of Wales, isn't it, profit extraction from our…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Green economy inquiry: Panel 9 - Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
I have two other questions, Chair, but I'll hand back to you because I'm conscious of time.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Green economy inquiry: Panel 9 - Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
If we're going to rely on the future generations Act, then, it's fair to say that it needs to be toughened up a bit and given some teeth, because I think we can all point to examples in our own areas where local authorities have said stuff like, 'The LDP…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Green economy inquiry: Panel 9 - Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
One thing that we have discussed as a committee is what's happening in Scotland at the moment with their just transition commission. Is that something the Welsh Government has considered as a way of sort of monitoring—having that independent voice that…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Green economy inquiry: Panel 9 - Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Yes, and the size of Wales actually gives us a good advantage in being able to link up a lot of these thing very easily.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Green economy inquiry: Panel 9 - Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Uncertainty—the uncertainty around, well, where do they take new projects, and where do they go in this whole green skills agenda and not being clear on what that means. So, how do we get to that point where they understand exactly what's expected from them…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Green economy inquiry: Panel 9 - Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
I think the focus on skills is the right focus, clearly, and I've been very supportive of the idea around that sort of skills audit—the skills that we're going to need in the economy, but also what our current FE institutions are also offering in terms of…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Green economy inquiry: Panel 9 - Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Diolch, Cadeirydd. I think, actually, the example of the need for more welders is quite important, especially in the context now of where we look at the Celtic sea, where offshore wind is going to be pushed out from Port Talbot, and in the context of what's…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
—so, I'm very conscious now of time moving on very quickly.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Because one of the concerns that I have now is that we've fallen behind because of this general election. Of course, that was after we had the commitment that the transition board wouldn't be affected by the general election—
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
When we come to the general election result, will one of the first calls you'll be making be to get that transition board back up and running?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Okay. Thinking about the transition board—because I know we're tight on time, Chair—both you and I were on the same transition board where we agreed the priorities for going forward. How do you see the Welsh Government getting involved in those priorities…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Well, I'd worry it'd be a bit too late then. The reason I'm asking these questions as well is because we've seen Tata show its true colours, if we're going to be totally honest, over the last couple of months. We've had them threaten to reduce redundancy…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
So, what is the backstop is what I'm trying to get at here, then? If those negotiations don't go well for the potential incoming Labour Government, what is the backstop?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Well, we've talked about nationalisation as being an opportunity to buy time for a just transition, because what we have right now is not a just transition, is it?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
Nationalisation?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
I'm finding it difficult to understand why there's a reluctance to have on the table nationalisation as a clear option, and I say that because, in negotiations, you need a carrot and you need a stick. The carrot in this scenario would be that £3 billion plan…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
So, what happens if those conversations take place and Tata still don't change their position? Would you support a move by the UK Government to nationalise the site?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
With respect, there's a commitment of £3 billion but no specific detail around the site in Port Talbot.
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
To be fair to Tata, though, they have to deal in absolutes here, don't they?
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
So, do you think that could be down to not really being sure what is on offer if, say, a Labour Government came into power? We know that there's a carrot there, but the carrot is still very much in the ground, isn't it? We know there's a £3 billion plan put…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial scrutiny—Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language
So, you've been clear about Tata not making irreversible decisions before the general election. How receptive have they been to that?
