, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
I think there are two things to say here. One is that schools are represented through local authorities—the overwhelming majority of schools have a local authority relationship. If we want to get individual school representatives, there's always a challenge…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
I wouldn't say there were data gaps. What I'd say is that we always intended to have a system—and I announced this when I first introduced a statement and when I came to this committee to talk about the guarantee as well—about wanting to have reporting that…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
Well, it's part of the reason why I need to maintain some flexibility in the programmes under the guarantee. So, the guarantee covers a wide span of interventions. We've got those people who are successfully supported post 16 in our school and further…
, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
General Ministerial Scrutiny: Minister for Economy
I'm Vaughan Gething, I'm the Minister for Economy. Do you want me to go round and I think officials can introduce themselves? I'll start with Andrew.
, Plenary
Debate on the Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee Report— 'Cost of living pressures'
And since this report was published, unfortunately the situation has worsened. Many Members have highlighted the appalling reality for far too many families, and just to return to one of the points Jenny Rathbone made, for those people that are helping, there…
, Plenary
Debate on the Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee Report— 'Cost of living pressures'
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'd like to start by thanking the committee again for their work in preparing this report, which has led to the debate. We are all very well aware of the cost-of-living crisis. It is being fuelled by a range of factors. But of…
, Plenary
Debate on the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee Report—'Digital connectivity—broadband'
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. First of all, I'd like to thank the committee for its work on the report, which succinctly highlights those areas where we are continuing to make progress, and further progress, indeed, is required. We can all agree that digital…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
I'm not entirely sure there will be food shortages as a result of Garth Bakery no longer existing; it's the challenge in the broader sector, and whether actually there are alternative suppliers. Think about the supermarkets: if you go into broadly any…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
Yes, thank you for the questions. I recognise completely your point about the timing of the company going into administration and what it means for workers at this point in the year. And we know that the great majority of fuel bill costs are in this chunk of…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
Yes, thank you for the question. It is deeply regrettable that Garth Bakery has gone into administration. The Working Wales and the ReAct+ team, along with Jobcentre Plus, are engaged with the employees, and I understand that assistance has also been offered…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Thank you for the question. I certainly do recognise the significant challenges that exist within the sector. I was recently with the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership at the consultation event around the detailed plan. Again, the leading trade union…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Our shared vision for retail was launched in June, and it marked the start of a broader and deeper conversation with the sector. The Wales retail forum, made up of partners from business and the trade union side—and I'm sure that the Member and others have…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
I think tidal energy has significant opportunities for Wales. Again, it's not just the power generation, but it's an area where there is a new technology and a new form of economic activity being developed, and I want to see Wales at the very leading edge of…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
I have regular conversations with my friend and colleague the Minister for Climate Change. We fully realise the economic benefits of proposed offshore energy projects in north Wales; this is significant for the whole of Wales. It is my responsibility to…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
I think, actually, the pandemic made things harder. I think it saw a retrenchment back in many family and community groups where women took on more of the caring role and less of the economic activity role. That's taken us back. In my own family, we had real…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
I regularly reflect back on my time before coming to the Senedd, and the groups of people that I represented, including lots of women in equal pay claims, and understanding that, even in organised workplaces there are inequalities in pay outcomes, and some of…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
I set out a range of actions within the employability and skills plan to maximise fairness and eliminate inequality. This includes improving labour market outcomes for women.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
The cost-of-living pressures are significant right across the night-time economy and the broader visitor economy, hospitality; any area where discretionary spend is involved is under pressure. It's the pressure from those businesses and their own costs, of…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
I understand there are real issues about whether people feel safe when areas are not well lit. I understand that's a particular concern for women and whether they feel safe or not, especially if they feel that they are being followed or someone is nearer to…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
We use our levers and influence to promote fair work across our economy, but only the UK Government has the powers to improve statutory workers' rights and their enforcement. We do, though, repeatedly raise these issues with the UK Government.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
The freeports discussion was difficult, but it did ultimately conclude in agreement between the Welsh Government, with our responsibilities, and the UK Government. It's a model where there's shared decision-making responsibilities between equal decision…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
I will continue to press the case with whoever the latest Ministers are with responsibility for this. The return of Michael Gove to the department of levelling up may mean that we don't have a significant delay in doing so, but it was supposed to be the case…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
The UK Government has put local authorities across all parts of Wales under immense pressure to try and make a success of a botched scheme beset by delays, inadequate funding and impossible deadlines. I have repeatedly raised these issues with a succession of…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
It's undeniable that the failure to get the previous Wylfa option with Hitachi over the line has created a challenge. There's lost economic benefit, because otherwise, we would have seen significant activity already taking place. The people who did go through…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
I recognise there are different views in this area. I'm very clear that, from my own point of view and the Government's point of view, future nuclear developments are part of the future energy mix, together with the significant opportunities we have around…
