NDM6959 Welsh Conservatives debate - Regional Economic Inequality
NDM6959 Welsh Conservatives debate - Regional Economic Inequality
NDM6959 Darren
Millar (Clwyd West)
1.
Notes that regional economic inequality remains stark across Wales, as evident
in the latest GVA figures.
2.
Regrets that the Welsh Government’s policies have failed to address economic
inequalities between regions in Wales.
3.
Welcomes the contribution that the Cardiff city region deal, the Swansea Bay
city region deal, a north Wales growth deal and a mid Wales growth deal will
make to addressing regional inequality in Wales.
4.
Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a)
work constructively with the UK Government to deliver growth deals in Wales;
b)
review the economic action plan to incorporate a strategy to grow wages and
economic prosperity in all parts of Wales and address economic inequalities
between regions; and
c)
promote a regional development policy post-Brexit which supports deprived
communities across Wales, including those outside west Wales and the valleys.
Prosperity
for All: economic action plan
The
following amendments were tabled:
Amendment
1 - Rebecca
Evans (Gower)
Delete
all and replace with:
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Recognises the importance of strong, resilient regional economies across all
parts of Wales as a driver of inclusive growth
2.
Notes the cross-government measures set out in the Economic Action Plan
including the appointment of Chief Regional Officers and teams in Welsh
Government to support Regional Economic Development across Wales
3.
Notes the important role for City and Growth Deals in driving regional economic
growth when they are coordinated alongside wider interventions such as
infrastructure, transport and skills.
4.
Notes the recent announcement that the OECD is supporting the development of
regional economic development policy in Wales based on international best
practice
5.
Calls on the UK Government to address inequalities in infrastructure funding
between the nations and regions of the UK and do more to spread investment
opportunities equitably across the country
6.
Calls on the UK Government to respect the devolution settlement and ensure that
strategic decisions relating to the management and administration of
replacement structural funding to address regional economic inequalities are
made by the Welsh Government.
7.
Notes the development of regional indicative budgets for Economy and Transport
investment across Wales.
[If amendment 1 is agreed,
amendments 2 and 3 will be de-selected]
Amendment
2 - Rhun
ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)
Delete
point 2 and replace with:
Notes
that the UK Government's policy of austerity, along with the Welsh Government's
mismanagement, has led to a large increase in economic inequalities between
Wales's regions.
Amendment
3 - Rhun
ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)
In
sub-point (a) in point 4, after 'the UK Government' insert 'and local
authorities'.
Amendment
4 - Rhun
ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)
Add
as new point at end of motion:
Calls
for a regional investment bill, with the aim of ensuring fair financial
investment across all of Wales.
Amendment
5 - Rhun
ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)
Add
new points at the end of the motion:
Welcomes
the fact that the Arfor project board has held its first meeting and has agreed
on an outline programme of activities for the next two years.
Notes
the fact that £2 million has been earmarked in the budget for secretariat
support and investment for Arfor during 2018-19 and 2019-20 as Plaid
Cymru's budget priority with the Welsh Government.
Confirms
the importance of maximising the undeniable link between economic prosperity
and linguistic prosperity in Welsh-speaking western areas of Wales.
Business type: Debate
Reason considered: Senedd Business;
Status: Complete
First published: 09/06/2021
Decision due: 6 Feb 2019 by Plenary - Fifth Senedd
Lead member: Darren Millar MS