, Plenary
Short Debate: The Welsh Economy: Structural problems and putting them right
In relation to GDP, we don't currently get quarterly estimates for Wales; they've been paused by the ONS for over a year now. So, the latest data that we have is from April this year, which shows that, in 2022, economic growth per person in Wales was broadly…
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Short Debate: The Welsh Economy: Structural problems and putting them right
Thank you, and also thank you, of course, to Mike Hedges for bringing forward this important short debate today, but also for the thought pieces that he regularly produces as well. And thank you to Tom for his contribution in relation to planning. Of course…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
Thank you very much to Alun Davies. I'd be very happy to take him up on his kind invitation to visit Blaenau Gwent. I know that my predecessor also had a very interesting tour of some of the highlights in terms of Welsh Government investment and the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
The Welsh Government works with partners such as the Cardiff capital region, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and key businesses to deliver prosperity and the benefits of economic growth to all parts of south-east Wales, including Blaenau Gwent.
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
So, in terms of Welsh Government's own investment, you will see that in the renewable sector. You'll see it through Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru and the five projects that we're seeking to develop there. You'll see it in our wider support through Ynni Cymru for more…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
The responsibility for demonstrating that carbon capture and storage business cases make the necessary contribution to long-term decarbonisation and build a stronger, greener economy rests entirely with the developer. To acquire necessary consents, developers…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
I'm grateful for the question and for the work that John Griffiths is undertaking in this space. I think the net benefit for biodiversity policy is really important in this space, and hopefully that will seek to at least mitigate some of those cumulative…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
I'm grateful for the question. Colleagues know I can't comment on any specific plan because most large solar projects will be determined by Welsh Ministers, but we do have comprehensive and up-to-date planning policy that allows for the consideration of the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
The first thing to say is about the importance of the Gwent levels. I think that importance is very much reflected in 'Future Wales' policy 9 by its designation as a national natural resource area. I think that's very important. Officials are currently in the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
The Welsh Government’s planning policies for the consideration of large-scale solar farms are contained within 'Planning Policy Wales' and 'Future Wales'.
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Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
We will absolutely be making those important points in our discussions with HyNet and also with the UK Government in relation to the importance of consulting with and properly considering the views of residents in the area, and also, of course, for maximising…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
I'm grateful for the question and, as I said in response to the previous question, we're very mindful of the fact that the Climate Change Committee and a range of other organisations have said that carbon capture and storage will necessarily be a part of our…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
So, as I said previously, in the coming weeks I will be consulting on the Welsh Government policy position in terms of how we can use carbon capture and storage technology, but our clear focus is on where it can make a clear, measurable and sustained…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
The Welsh Government has regular discussions with the UK Government at both an official and ministerial level to ensure proposed carbon capture projects across Wales are subject to robust regulatory controls, facilitate long-term decarbonisation and build a…
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Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
Again, I'm very grateful for the question. We absolutely recognise the importance of apprenticeships, while we are making really significant investment in our apprenticeship programme here in Wales. Of course, this now is being led on by Medr, and Jack…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
Yes. Our economic mission sets out how we are using the levers that we have to narrow the skills divide and support better jobs, with our plan for employability and skills prioritising those most in need of help. This includes supporting people to stay in…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
I'm grateful for the question, and actually, this lunchtime, I was at a round-table with Building magazine, and they brought together a large section of the construction industry's representation around the table in Wales to talk about some of the challenges…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
I'm very grateful for the question this afternoon and for really highlighting the importance of placemaking in terms of our town and city centres. And it's really important, of course, that any new development is undertaken in conjunction and in alignment…
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Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
The development plans manual sets out detailed advice on how to prepare a local development plan. It's based on best practice and identifies the key issues to be addressed and the level of evidence required to achieve an adopted LDP.
, Plenary
Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal: A Bill relating to planning processes for quarry development
Thank you. I will conclude. So, our policy position is to actively reduce the proportion of primary aggregates used in relation to secondary, recycled or waste materials, and we continue to make progress in that area. Then, finally, to say that so many…
, Plenary
Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal: A Bill relating to planning processes for quarry development
As I said in my response to Hefin David, if the evidence does suggest that we need to review these things, then we will. So, as I said, I will take seriously all of the contributions in the debate this afternoon and explore things further with officials. But…
, Plenary
Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal: A Bill relating to planning processes for quarry development
I will explore these issues that have been raised in the Chamber this afternoon with officials, and should evidence suggest that that policy or advice is no longer up to date then we'll certainly give consideration to reviewing that guidance. And again, that…
, Plenary
Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal: A Bill relating to planning processes for quarry development
Yes.
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Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal: A Bill relating to planning processes for quarry development
I thank Heledd Fychan for bringing forward the legislative proposal today and all colleagues for the very sincere series of contributions that we've had this afternoon. I'm also aware of the petition that has been submitted to the Petitions Committee on the…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning: Energy and the green economy
I'm very grateful for those comments as well, and just to reiterate on the Crown Estate that I think that we are very much in the same place, and actually the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales also recommended that it should be…
