Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had on supporting the creation of good-quality jobs in parts of Wales with high rates of economic inactivity.

I have regular discussions on how to support the creation of good-quality jobs across Wales.

The UK Government is investing in thousands of good-quality jobs through £2.5 billion for Small Modular Reactors at Wylfa, supporting 3,000 jobs; AI Growth Zones in North and South Wales, expected to create more than 8,000 jobs; and Investment Zones in Wrexham and Flintshire and Cardiff and Newport, expected to create over 10,000 high-quality jobs and attract more than £1.5 billion in private investment. Our plan for rail is also expected to support 12,000 jobs across Wales, while improving access to employment opportunities.

In Caerphilly, UK Government support through the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund has helped unlock Norgine’s £23 million investment in its Hengoed facility, expected to create 44 new jobs.

Additionally, we are supporting people into work through the Economic Inactivity Trailblazer programme, with £20 million allocated to the Welsh Government over 2025-26 and 2026-27 to test new approaches that bring together employment, health and skills support.