National Assembly for Wales

We set out in 'Brexit and Fair Movement of People' an evidence-based approach to migration, which reflects the needs of our economy and the importance of achieving full and unfettered access to the EU single market, while addressing the concerns of many voters by linking migration more closely to employment.

I continue to press the UK Government to ensure that Wales does not lose out on funding as a result of Brexit, including for the further education sector. I have written and spoken to the Secretary of State for Wales and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster about this.

Local government provides essential public services, including to our most vulnerable citizens, and the impacts of Brexit on local government will be wide-ranging and serious, particularly in a 'no deal' situation. Welsh Government has strong engagement with local government to develop preparedness, including readiness for 'no deal'.

I am in frequent contact with the UK Government on a range of 'no deal' issues. This includes frequent senior engagement with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on business and sector specific issues. We continue to press the UK Government to rule out a 'no deal' outcome whilst providing advice on mitigating actions. 

In our White Paper, 'Securing Wales’ Future', we set out the position very clearly for continued full and unfettered access to the single market. Dynamic alignment on EU state-aid rules will be one of the requirements of this approach.

The Minister for International Relations and the Welsh Language leads on trade policy for the Welsh Government and she will ensure Wales makes the most of any future post-Brexit trade agreements.

Welsh Ministers continue to have frequent discussions with UK Ministers to secure the least damaging form of Brexit and one that protects the rights of citizens in Wales. As set out in 'Brexit and Fair Movement of People', this should include youth mobility as part of a wider approach to fair movement.  

Since 2013, the Welsh Government has provided local authorities with £25 million a year to support local bus and community transport services across Wales. Towards the end of 2017-18, we provided an additional £3 million to support the bus network, in addition to other specific grants allocated to support public transport services.

We are working closely with local authorities in the south-west region to improve the public transport in the area and to plan a modern and integrated transport system through the metro project.

Our mobile action plan outlines our commitment and plans to continue supporting emerging technology initiatives throughout Wales to enable future 5G deployment. Furthermore, we have also asked Innovation Point to co-ordinate 5G activity in Wales and to identify and develop tangible 5G projects that help progress this agenda.

The success of the growth deal will be measured in terms of its transformation of the region’s economy, its ability to leverage private sector investment and its contribution to improving opportunity for people across the region, in line with the well-being of future generations Act and the economic action plan.

We are moving forward with our ambitious vision to reshape public transport infrastructure and services across Wales, including local bus services, rail services, active travel and the various metro projects that will act as a blueprint for integrated transport across the whole of Wales.

Retail is a foundation sector in our economic action plan. We are working across Government to develop an enabling plan for the sector, as the foundation economy is crucial to communities in Wales. In 2018, there were 9,125 enterprises active in the retail sector in Wales, up 8 per cent since 2011.