What discussions is the Welsh Government having with representatives of the north west of England to ensure cross-border collaboration with North Wales is maximised?
We worked collaboratively, alongside Ambition North Wales and wider partners, to co-design and co-deliver Regional Economic Framework (REF) for North Wales. The REF was published in December 2021 and sets our economic priorities across the region, to address inequalities and the damage to our economy caused by decades of austerity, Brexit and the impact of coronavirus.
Welsh Government is undertaking cross-border work with Liverpool City Region, Chester LEP, North Wales Economic Ambition Board, and the Mersey Dee Alliance to support the development of an integrated and sustainable decarbonised economy in the region, to protect jobs, now and in the future, be that in transport, energy or industry, whether public sector or private. Offshore wind, nuclear and marine energy all offer cross border supply chain opportunities for Welsh businesses.
The Mersey Dee Alliance (MDA) met with the UK and Welsh governments on 1st March to set out the latest iteration of the fiscal stimulus package along with key priorities for the region. Welsh Government continues to support the Mersey Dee Alliance in the development of its stimulus proposals, including the potential to decarbonise the cross-border region including the potential of a Hydrogen Hub in Flintshire.
The North Wales Regional Skills Partnership (RSP) has regular meetings with the Mersey Dee Alliance to identify cross-border employment and skills issues and they will submit a new, 3 year employment and skills plan for North Wales for 2022-2025 in the Autumn, which will include cross-border labour market intelligence.
We continue to engage with Businesses in north Wales to support them to deal with the pressures on the economy following COVID and Brexit. There is ongoing work with the aerospace forum and their links to the Northwest Aerospace Alliance and proven links supporting the supply chains for Airbus, Rolls Royce and BAEs, and the growing space sector in Wales and NW England. AMRC in Deeside continues to support businesses across the UK and the future aspiration for “ATRC” offers the opportunity to support the UK avionics industry bringing more high value employment to the Deeside cluster.
We remain fully committed to supporting micro and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in all parts of Wales, who can access a wide range of information, advice and support through our Business Wales service and the Development Bank of Wales. Business Wales makes it easier for Welsh micro-businesses and SMEs including social enterprises and aspiring entrepreneurs of all ages, to start and grow their businesses and can be accessed digitally via the Business Wales website, social media channels, or by telephoning their helpline.
The cost-of-living crisis continues to have a profound effect on vulnerable households and shows no sign of slowing. We have invested more than £380 million since last November, to mitigate the impact of the crisis for people who are struggling with rising inflation and spiralling energy prices. This money is funding a £150 cost-of-living payment for all households in properties in council tax bands A to D and to all households receiving support from the Council Tax Reduction Scheme in all council tax bands. A further £25m has been made available to local authorities in the form of a discretionary fund being targeted at struggling households.
It is also supporting a further Welsh Government Fuel Support Scheme during winter 2022-23 and we have broadened the eligibility criteria so that more households will receive the £200 payment. In addition, this funding supports the introduction of a national fuel voucher and Heat Fund scheme in Wales to help households who pre-pay for their fuel.
As well as this, we are helping households to access the financial support they are entitled to through our ‘Claim What’s Yours campaign, which ran earlier this year and supported more than 8,000 people in Wales to claim £2.1 million of additional income.