2. What is the Welsh Government doing to improve the economy in Mid and West Wales? OQ61374

Thank you. Our plan for improving the economy across Wales is set out in our economic mission: ensuring a just transition to a green and productive economy, a platform for young people, fair work, skills and success, with stronger partnerships for stronger regions, and, of course, the everyday economy and how we invest for growth.

I thank you for that answer, First Minister. The Welsh Government has, of course, got a proven track record of helping the economy in Mid and West Wales, through its support for micro, small and medium-sized businesses in the region, businesses like LEB Construction Limited in Aberystwyth, which received a grant of £537,000 to help grow its business, and Airflo in Powys, which received £566,000 of funding from the Welsh Government's economy futures fund. These are hugely important investments that help secure jobs in the most rural areas. And help for business, through Business Wales, which has helped countless businesses throughout Wales, and the newly launched futureproofing fund, which will help businesses reduce their running costs and invest in apprenticeships, are further examples of the Welsh Government's commitment to helping the economy in Mid and West Wales. First Minister, do you agree with me that these investments demonstrate the Welsh Government's commitment to helping the economy grow in rural Wales, and that, should we have a UK Government in three days' time, the Welsh Government, in partnership with a Labour UK Government, will be able to provide the much-needed stability that they've all been looking for?

It's a really important point about stability in the economy. It's one of the things that businesses on all sides look for. Whether in the rural economy, the coastal or the urban economy, stability has been lacking not just in the last 14 years, but in particular in the last four to five years. Although there have been some global factors, much of it has been driven by the extraordinary chaos and instability at the UK level. I look forward to a different and a better partnership, depending on how the people of Wales and Britain vote on Thursday. But, more than that, it goes alongside our ambition to make practical investments in the rural economy, and not just the examples the Member has mentioned, but the Marrill Group, the auto parts group in Powys, Atherton Bikes—a real success story, and we've been part of supporting them as well. And, of course, Aber Instruments, if we're talking about rural Wales—really proud of that as they are part of the employee ownership within our economy that we've doubled, meeting a manifesto pledge ahead of time, and it shows values in practical action.

We could do so much more if we had partners in stability—for example, the investment in the high skills that we know we'll need in the rural economy too—and if we could move away from the damaging competition that existed where our current UK Government is more obsessed with taking powers and money away from Wales as opposed to a genuine, stable partner where we work together for Wales and Britain. That's the partnership I look for, and I believe that is what we can persuade the people of Wales to vote for on Thursday.

First Minister, I recently had the pleasure of joining Stephen Crabb in meeting the Tenby chamber of trade, the newly re-established chamber of trade, in the fantastic Qube restaurant in the town. While they shared with us some of their concerns, one of the key takeaways was the Welsh Government's decision to cut business rate relief and the impact that that is having on our economies in our coastal towns, as you've just mentioned. So, that is putting Pembrokeshire and Wales at a competitive disadvantage to other areas across the border in England. So, when will this Welsh Government finally back businesses and reinstate business rate relief, not so our businesses can thrive and survive together, but we can have some economic success in parts of Wales that have not seen it under this Labour Government?

When you met the Tenby chamber of trade—and it's great to know they've been re-established—I hope you were honest with them about the fact that Stephen Crabb has voted for budgets that mean that this Welsh Government has seen its budgets reduced by £700 million in real terms over the last three years. I hope you reminded them of Stephen Crabb proudly voting for austerity for the last 14 years. I hope you pointed out the number of Chief Secretaries to the Treasury that Rebecca Evans has had to contend with—a record number in a relatively small amount of time. They know, as we do, that when our budgets have been reduced, we have to make choices. When we finally have a different partnership available, there is a different vision for Wales and Britain that is possible. I believe those things should happen.

We already back Welsh businesses, with Business Wales, as Joyce Watson has mentioned, and with the Development Bank of Wales, a true Welsh success story. More than that, of course, there's the direct contrast between Haven Waterway, where the UK Government refused to back investment in the Haven Waterway, decided not to back those plans, and the promise that you will see in the Labour manifestos—the Welsh Labour one and the UK Labour one—to quadruple investment in our ports to unlock investment in our economy. That's the contrast. That is what is on the ballot paper on 4 July. I look forward to the voters of Tenby and, indeed, the wider Welsh picture, to see what they have decided and who they are prepared to put their trust in.