Question on the Economy
21st November 2007
Dr. Hywel Francis (Aberavon) (Lab): What discussions he has had with the First Minister of the Welsh Assembly Government on recent developments in the Welsh economy.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Huw Irranca-Davies): My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have regular discussions with the First Minister about all aspects of the Welsh economy. The Welsh Assembly and the UK Government have worked in partnership to ensure that the Welsh economy has grown rapidly to historic levels of output, with record investment.
Dr. Francis: I thank the Minister for that reply, and I am sure that he will agree that one of the best ways to tackle the twin challenges facing the Welsh economy today—economic inactivity and low skills levels—is to support the excellent work being done across Wales by many organisations. In my constituency, they include the Shaw Trust in Llandarcy, Remploy in Baglan and, in particular, the New Sandfields Aberavon development trust, whose Strides project, in partnership with Sandfields comprehensive school, has done so much to assist the skills levels of young people.
Huw Irranca-Davies: I agree entirely, and my hon. Friend is right to point out that a genuinely partnership approach is being adopted. That is why employment in Wales is at historically high levels, with 1.334 million people now in work. As a result of this Government's policies, Wales is attracting record levels of investment, and that has led to consistent growth in employment levels. In partnership with all sorts of organisations, Wales is becoming truly world class.
