Anglesey AM calls for Welsh and UK Governments to step up following Wylfa suspension.

22/01/2019By: Rhys Hughes

In an emergency question to Welsh Government today, Plaid Cymru Assembly Member for Ynys Môn Rhun ap Iorwerth has called for both the Welsh and UK Governments to commit significant investment to the island’s economy following Hitachi’s decision to suspend the Wylfa Newydd project last week.

Last week Hitachi announced they were putting the brakes on the £15bn Wylfa Newydd development, which is a significant blow to Anglesey’s economy in particular, with up to a 1,000 highly-skilled jobs promised at Wylfa Newydd.

Mr ap Iorwerth pushed for a commitment from Economy Minister Ken Skates of significant investment into the island’s economy following Hitachi’s decision.

The Ynys Môn AM said:

“It is obvious that Anglesey, and indeed North Wales, needs to see extra investment into the economy now, to make up for what is being lost – at least in the short-term. The Cabinet Secretary has given indications that he would invest further in the North Wales Growth Bid, but today I called on him to pledge to do exactly that – investment in North Wales needs to increase drastically now.

“The politics of nuclear is one thing, of course, and I fully understand the debates for and against, but as an economic development the announcement to suspend this project was a real blow to the young people of Ynys Môn and they need to see now that everything that can be done is being done to invest in their future.

“We need significant investment in regeneration schemes and in innovative projects across Anglesey, but especially in the north of the island and the Amlwch area. We need to see Lein Amlwch reopened, we need to see investment in connecting the Morlais marine energy zone, we need to see support for marine renewables innovator Minesto.”

But he said UK Government must show its commitment, too.

“Time and time again, major Welsh projects promised for Wales by UK Government have come to nothing. Let’s put pressure on UK Government to show its commitment by increasing its contribution to Ynys Mon and the north of Wales, through the Growth Bid.”