8. How is the Welsh Government supporting the economy of North Wales? OQ61361

We've outlined our plan for improving the economy of Wales, and north Wales in particular in the context of this question, in our economic mission and regional economic framework. We are collaborating with our partners to showcase its unique advantages and to make sure that north Wales shares in the fair transition to a more resilient and sustainable economy.

[Inaudible.]—from the north Wales growth deal to generate total investment of over £1 billion for north Wales, to the £160 million purchase of the Wylfa nuclear site on Ynys Môn for new nuclear energy developments, from the decision to establish a free port in Holyhead, backed up by up to £26 million UK Government funding and expected to generate billions of public and private investment, to the decision to establish a new £160 million investment zone around Wrexham and Flintshire, the UK Conservative Government has taken the initiative and then worked in partnership with the Welsh Government to deliver these. All of these and more, including the commitment to invest £1 billion in the electrification of the north Wales railway line, are in the Welsh Conservative manifesto for tomorrow's general election. What plans do you therefore have in place to take these programmes forward with the next UK Government?

I thank Mark Isherwood for his ingenuity in converting a press release into a policy in that question. As he absolutely knows, there is no sign-off at all for the funding committed to the north Wales transport infrastructure, which I think we would all accept is needed.

He describes, I think, in his question ways of working between a Welsh Government and a UK Government. By the way, he doesn't list any of the investments that the Welsh Government has made into any of those projects, which I think probably reveals the motivation behind the question, if I may say, in the context of an election. The point is that there is much more scope for the Welsh Government and the UK Government to work together. There have been very good examples, actually—some of them he's listed in his question. I look forward to seeing a Welsh Labour Government here in Wales being able to work with a UK Labour Government in Westminster to build even more on that joint working so that we can deliver for all parts of Wales.

I thank the Cabinet Secretary.