celebrates UK Government delivery in Wales this St
David's Day and looks to the year ahead.
For the first time as Welsh Secretary, I'm delighted to be able
to wish everyone across 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 for people across Wales. 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.
And we have begun the work to deliver on our guiding missions in
every part of the country. This work will continue to accelerate
during 2025.
We want a health system fit for the future for Wales and in the
Autumn Budget we provided a record settlement of £21 billion to
the Welsh Government. It now has £1.7 billion extra next year on
public services in Wales especially on improving the NHS and
driving down waiting lists.
We now have two governments in Wales, working together to ensure
that we reform the NHS and other public services to deliver for
you.
As we make our streets safer, people in Wales can expect to see
more police back on the beat.
We are investing in 13,000 additional neighbourhood officers,
PCSOs, and special constables across Wales and England and these
officers will work to restore the visible, accessible policing
that our communities deserve.
The UK Government's mission to make Britain a clean energy
superpower provides huge opportunities for Wales.
Earlier this week I was delighted to announce a major investment
of £600m in Bute Energy's onshore wind energy parks which will be
built the length and breadth of Wales and generate the clean
power we need as well creating 2,000 jobs in the process.
This investment is landmark deal for the sector in Wales and
cements our position as a centre for major clean energy
investment.
Similarly, the golden opportunity of floating offshore wind will
be a critical part of our clean energy mission. Wales can lead
the world in the creation of huge turbines in the seas off our
coastline that will help drive down energy bills and create the
jobs of the future. Bringing more of that investment into Wales a
priority for this year.
Above all, our mission is to kickstart economic growth.
We have already seen huge investment come to North Wales at Eren
Holdings and Kellanova, creating and securing hundreds of
jobs.
The two Investment Zones in Cardiff and Newport and Wrexham and
Flintshire are a crucial part of our work with Welsh Government
to provide a rocket-boost to sector strengths like creative
industries, life sciences and advanced manufacturing.
We've given the green light for Welsh freeports to unlock
billions in private investment and galvanise almost 20,000 jobs
in our port communities like Milford Haven, Port Talbot and
Holyhead.
Our plans will also see us drive growth in individual
communities. Earlier this month we announced a £15 million
funding package dedicated to two major cultural projects in
Wales - £10m for Venue Cymru in Conwy and £5 million was
allocated to the Newport Transporter Bridge. This funding helps
ensure these landmarks remain valuable resources for their
areas. These projects are not just about preserving
heritage; they are about driving economic growth, creating jobs,
and showcasing Wales as a leader in tourism and culture.
And our investment in the community of Port Talbot stands as a
testament to our determination to drive growth, and not to accept
decline for out industrial areas.
Within weeks of coming to office we had secured a better deal
with Tata Steel. And then weeks later tens of millions of pounds
began to be released into the community – money that had
previously not been spent despite the clear need to support the
workforce, local businesses and the community.
So far more than £50m has been announced. That money is funding
initiatives in Port Talbot ranging from the creation of an
£8.2m industrial site in the town creating new products for
the steel and metal industries, to providing individual training
opportunities for Tata steelworkers or their families.
In the coming year I will ensure that the rest of the Transition
Board money is invested in the community of Port Talbot.
In just a few short months, the new UK Government has made
significant strides in transforming Wales building on our
strengths in industry, green energy and, most of all, our people.
There is still work to do but I know Wales will continue to be a
brilliant place to do business.
I'd like to send my best wishes to everyone celebrating our
national day in Wales and around the world.
