<p>Improving the Economy</p>

Part of 1. 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure – in the Senedd at 1:34 pm on 29 March 2017.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Leanne Wood Leanne Wood Plaid Cymru 1:34, 29 March 2017

It’s a sad fact that there’s been very little done to replace the old heavy industries that once provided employment, housing and infrastructure throughout the Valleys. Much is promised by the city region, but there’s little detail, and, in those communities that will be affected, there’s much confusion as to exactly what it will deliver. We also then have the Valleys taskforce, which, coincidentally, sprung up shortly after Labour lost a rock solid seat in the Valleys. I wonder whether that was just a coincidence. Can you tell me whether there is any joint working arrangements between the city region and the Valleys taskforce? Is there a regular channel of dialogue between you and the Minister responsible for the taskforce? We need more jobs in the former coalfields, and we need better quality jobs as well, and failure to deliver on this with the city region or the Valleys taskforce is not an option.