The Semiconductor Industry in Newport West

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:10 pm on 12 September 2023.

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Photo of Mark Drakeford Mark Drakeford Labour 2:10, 12 September 2023

Well, Llywydd, I agree with the Member that the Welsh Government's most urgent, immediate actions must be to help those staff members who've been affected by the decision, and that is exactly what we are doing. We are in contact, through our officials, with the owners of the company. We, of course, are in contact with the trade unions who represent workers at the site. I don't want to strike a note of false optimism, of course, but as I said in my answer to Jayne Bryant, there are other companies investing in this area in Newport who are looking for skilled workers, and the workers who are losing their jobs certainly are that. And the longer term prospects for the semiconductor cluster are strong. There were officials of the Welsh Government in Taiwan only last week, following up leads that came as a result of the economy Minister's visit to California earlier in the year. Newport is a very, very good place for companies to come and invest, and in this industry in particular. And while we will work with the individuals directly affected immediately, the longer term prospects for employment in the sector, if we can get it right—and we need the support of the UK Government for that to happen—I think can be very promising.