The First Minister of Wales, , will today call on the UK
Prime Minister, Andy , to agree a new "partnership for
growth when the two leaders meet later this month.
In a speech at Cardiff University's Wales Governance Centre this
evening, the First Minister will set out his arguments for
greater co-operation and less duplication between the two
governments, with the aim of delivering improved growth for Wales
and the UK.
The First Minister will make the call ahead of his meeting with
the Prime Minister at the National Economic Council later this
month.
The First Minister will also announce the development of a Green
Paper on how local and regional powers are administered in Wales
by the end of this Senedd term. A Green Paper is a consultation
by government on its policy or legislative proposals.
The First Minister will tell the audience:
I will invite the Prime Minister to agree a new partnership for
growth between our two governments - a practical agreement about
how our two governments work together to unlock Wales's economic
potential.
An agreement which ensures that respect flows both ways. An
agreement which commits my government to engaging positively and
constructively with the UK Government to seize opportunities for
growth. In return, we expect the UK Government to accept that
when powers are devolved, the Welsh Government decides how that
is done.
Consider some of the opportunities before us - floating offshore
wind, the future of Welsh steelmaking, the development of our
ports, and AI and digital industries. Each represents a major
opportunity for jobs, investment and growth, and each requires
action from both governments.
My message to the Prime Minister will be a simple one - let us
spend less time designing new programmes and duplicating
activity. Let us spend more time unlocking opportunity and
supporting investment, and more time delivering the growth we
both want to see in all parts of our respective nations.
On the planned Green Paper, the FM added:
One of my commitments is to provide a path forward that we can
take together, to find our own Welsh route to regional
collaboration, leading to a new regional map and a plan for
implementing it.
That vision cannot simply be designed in Cardiff and delivered to
everyone else. It must be developed together - with local
government, regional partners, with public services - and with
the people of Wales themselves.
New powers and new partnerships are not the destination they are
the lanterns which light the path to prosperity and productivity.
