A MESSAGE FROM JO STEVENS

For the first time as Welsh Secretary, I’m delighted to be able to wish everyone across West Wales a happy St David’s Day.

Following the election last July, we promised to deliver change and that is what we have begun to do.

We pledged safer streets, green energy and, above all, new jobs and economic growth. Underpinning all of this was the promise of a transformed relationship between the UK and Welsh Governments – a partnership that delivers for the people of Wales.

Above all, our mission is to kickstart economic growth.

In West Wales we have already seen significant investment into the local economy. We’ve given the green light for the Celtic Freeport covering Milford Haven and Port Talbot, which will unlock millions in private investment and galvanise thousands of jobs in the area.

Supported by £26m in UK Government funding, the Freeport will encourage growth and investment by creating tax and customs incentives for business.

The Swansea Bay City Deal is delivering for the region. Just weeks after the General Election I joined First Minister Eluned Morgan and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner to open the £60m Pembroke Dock Marine development which has transformed facilities at the port.

City Deal projects like the Pentre Awel health care and research development in Llanelli are hugely exciting while communities like Laugharne, Llangwm and Nantgaredig are being connected to ultra-fast broadband helping to boost productivity and breaking down barriers to opportunity in those areas.

This is what we mean by driving growth in all of our communities.

The UK Government’s mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower also provides huge opportunities for West Wales.

The region is home to a world class clean energy sector with abundant natural resources and the potential to be the powerhouse for economic growth for Wales and the wider UK.

The golden opportunity of floating offshore wind will be a critical part of our clean energy mission and we are working with the Welsh Government and industry partners to develop floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea which could support up to 5,300 new jobs and generate up to £1.4bn for the UK economy. Local ports will be vital for supporting this growing industry.

And the UK Government has identified Pembrokeshire as a pilot area to develop a skilled clean energy workforce, which could see funding for targeted measures such as training centres and courses to upskill workers.

These are the jobs of the future and it was fantastic to meet apprentices at Dragon LNG and Ledwood Engineering when I was in Pembrokeshire recently. My hope is that more young people in West Wales will be able to stay in their home area and develop fantastic careers in the new industries the region is attracting and which the UK Government is supporting.

It is clear that in just a few short months, the new UK Government has made significant strides. Building on our strengths in green energy, industry and, most of all, our people I know West Wales will continue to be a brilliant place to do business.

I’d like to send my best wishes to everyone there celebrating our national day.