(10 years, 5 months ago)
Commons ChamberThe Halton curve is, of course, important in that it connects north Wales with the city of Liverpool, which is the most important economic centre in the region. My hon. Friend is also right that we need to make sure that connectivity is improved across the whole of the north of England.
8. What recent assessment he has made of trends in levels of employment in Wales.
(11 years, 1 month ago)
Commons Chamber4. What assessment he has made of the potential effect on the Welsh economy of upgrading the M4 motorway.
6. What assessment he has made of the potential effect on Wales of upgrading the M4 motorway.
Upgrading the M4 is a key priority for the Government and for businesses in Wales. That is why we are enabling the Welsh Government to use their existing limited borrowing powers to begin work on upgrading the motorway as soon as possible.
My hon. Friend is entirely right. That infrastructure improvement has long been called for, particularly by the CBI. An upgrade is grossly overdue. We have given the Welsh Assembly Government the borrowing powers that they need. We hope and expect that they will proceed with the upgrade as quickly as possible.
Is it the case that although funding to upgrade the M4 around Newport may not have been available in the past, the Government’s recent agreement to increase the borrowing powers of the Welsh Government means that the upgrade can now go ahead?
(12 years ago)
Commons Chamber15. What recent discussions he has had with his ministerial colleagues on increasing private sector employment in Wales.
(12 years, 2 months ago)
Commons ChamberWhen I used the word “could”, my intention was to point out that under the Labour Assembly Government, coupled with 10 years-plus of Labour Government here in London, Wales has been the poorest part of the United Kingdom. I believe that a lot more could be done to make Wales a happier place to live, and for that purpose it is necessary for us in the Wales Office to work closely with the Welsh Assembly Government. I am willing to do that; I hope that the hon. Gentleman will support me.
4. What steps he is taking to promote enterprise zones in Wales.
(12 years, 7 months ago)
Commons Chamber6. What recent discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues on encouraging economic growth in Wales.
(13 years, 1 month ago)
Commons Chamber9. What recent discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues on measures to stimulate economic growth in Wales.
My right hon. Friend and I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues, the Welsh Government and other organisations to discuss measures that would help to stimulate economic growth in Wales.
Does my hon. Friend agree that the private sector in Wales represents far too small a share of the total Welsh economy? What steps is he taking to change that?
My hon. Friend is entirely correct. I agree with him, and so do the shadow Secretary of State and the Welsh First Minister. The Government’s plan for growth aims to create the most competitive tax system in the G20 and make the UK the best place in Europe to start, finance and grow a business. That applies to Wales as much as to the rest of the country.