While it was never likely to bump the budget off the front pages, a Senedd debate on Wednesday might start the ball rolling on a major economic policy approach in Wales. Labour AMs Hefin David, Vikki Howells, Jeremy Miles and Lee Waters introduced a debate on the “Foundational Economy”. This term is used to describe the mundane but important sectors of the post-industrial South Wales economy. The debate could spark a shift in focus from attracting large multi-national businesses which can create vast number of jobs but may also pack up and relocate towards supporting local businesses which while growing more slowly are geographically tied to the locality. Inevitably both of these aspects of economic growth will have their part to play, but the emergence of a unified theme around the Foundational Economy and support across political parties nonetheless mark out this backbench debate.
The budget which featured less of the geographic specificity with which we became accustomed under George Osborne, delivered an extra £150m spread over three years to Wales with a further £50m for infrastructure projects spread over four years. The Welsh Government has not indicated how these additional funds may be spent although pressure is coming to prioritise social care and tackle the steep rise in business rates which are acute in some local authorities. The budget was not well received by the Farmers Union of Wales. The FUW fear that changes to National Insurance contributions will adversely impact upon the sector.
While there was no mention of the Swansea Bay City Deal during the budget, a response from the Chancellor to Jonathan Edwards MP suggested that the deal could be concluded on 27th March. A date ahead of the local election campaign, but also one which could be overshadowed by the triggering of Article 50.
Questions were asked by opposition AMs regarding the decision of Newsquest to reduce their workforce in Newport despite receiving funding from the Welsh Government’s Skills Growth Fund aimed at securing roles in Newport until 2020.
Speaking at a public affairs event in Cardiff this week, Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies hinted that he would be interested to “open up discussion” about devolution of welfare and benefits. This is likely to receive instinctive scepticism from his party’s base, but is consistent with the line pushed by the party that there needs to be devolution of responsibility and not just a shifting of powers.
The National Assembly has confirmed that from now on any petition on the official Assembly website which garners 5,000 signatures will be debated.
UKIP was said to be “unravelling” by the former Chairman of the Party’s Wales Committee. Chris Smart who defected from the Conservatives said upon leaving UKIP that he wished to rejoin his former party. One suspects reporters seeking comments on that idea from the Tory press team might find only tumbleweed.
Late on Thursday, it became apparent that the person proposed by UK Culture Secretary Karen Bradley to represent Wales on the BBC Board had been vetoed by the Welsh Government. This unexpected development occurred without the name of the individual concerned being released, although one imagines it will not be long until speculation centres on the apparently qualified person. The Welsh Government seem to have been content with the selection process at an earlier stage which leaves rather more questions than answers as the week comes to a close.