3. Datganiad gan Weinidog yr Economi: Rhaglen Porthladdoedd Rhydd Cymru

Part of the debate – Senedd Cymru am 3:00 pm ar 28 Mawrth 2023.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Darren Millar Darren Millar Conservative 3:00, 28 Mawrth 2023

(Ddim wedi ei gyfieithu)

They do have a huge opportunity to drive significant growth across Wales, make that huge impact as well on the UK economy as a whole, levering in billions of pounds worth of investment and creating at least 20,000 jobs overall. It was obviously a disappointment for Newport that their free-port bid was not successful, but I was very pleased to hear you refer to the need to look for other opportunities to support Newport, particularly that all-important semiconductor industry, and I think that you'll certainly have support on this side of the Chamber in order to achieve that end, because that is going to be important for delivering growth, particularly in south-east Wales.

I think what this whole thing shows us in terms of being able to secure two free-port bids is that, when the Welsh and UK Governments work constructively together and in a collaborative way, we really can achieve great things for our nation, and for me, it's music to my ears hearing a Government Minister, instead of criticizing the UK Government, cheering on the fact that there has been such a close working relationship. 

Now, as you would expect, I've got a few questions that I wanted to ask you about the next steps forward, because we do know, of course, that the Welsh Government has got its enterprise zone initiative and that there is already an enterprise zone in the Haven—Haven Waterway enterprise zone—and that Anglesey's got its own enterprise zone, alongside the energy island sort of focus. So, to me, it's really important now that these are strategically aligned with the free ports so that we can maximise the delivery of all of those programmes. So, can I ask you, what work are you going to do to make sure that they are properly aligned, so that they're not working against one another but that they're working in concert to deliver and squeeze out the maximum possible benefits from these opportunities now that we have these free ports here in Wales?

In addition to that, of course, we're going to need to have the right skills for the individuals who are going to work and hopefully glean the benefits of these incredible new jobs, which I hope will be well-paid jobs across the whole of Wales, as a result of the zones. And, therefore, there's going to need to be a very close working relationship with the higher education sector and the further education college sector as well. So, I wonder what action the Welsh Government is taking to make sure that there is a dialogue and an alignment with our education system so that we can make sure that it is reflecting the needs of these new free ports as they go forward.

You mentioned green technology; we do have ambitious plans to reach net zero by 2050, and obviously, the contribution that these free ports can make, particularly given their focus on green energy and renewables, is going to be huge. But given that you published your net-zero strategy before the free ports were announced, will you now review that strategy to make sure that it reflects perhaps a little more broadly the opportunities that the free ports can bring to contribute to achieving that 2050 goal?

Just finally, if I may, can I also ask what's next from the Welsh Government's perspective? You've hinted at the fact that there's further work to do, obviously, to develop the overarching strategy in each free-port area, but what is the Welsh Government going to do in collaboration with the UK Government to track progress, to make sure that these opportunities aren't missed, that we are holding people's feet to the fire to deliver against the promises that people are expecting to be delivered about growth, about investment, and about jobs? Thank you.