The Diagnostic and Brexit scorecard app, which will be launched at Cegin Bodlon Kitchen, aims to support food and drink businesses across Wales and help them respond to the challenges and opportunities Brexit presents.

The app is aimed at food businesses and will help improve access to the latest information about their own business and issues affecting the sector.

The world leading technology will provide cluster members and wider businesses with the opportunity to review the strengths and weaknesses of their business at any time and benchmarked against the industry requirements in trade.  

Seven clusters have been established to promote collaboration within the sector.  The clusters are companies which produce Fine Food, Seafood, Export, High Impact, NutriWales, Drinks and Honey.

Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said:

 “This is an exciting new app that will bring Welsh food and drinks businesses together and will help the sector continue to grow.

”As we prepare to leave the European Union, it is more important than ever that businesses work with governments in projects like these to build their resilience and ensure their competitiveness so they are able to thrive in a post-Brexit world.  

“This is a prime example of technology being used to tackle 21st century challenges and drive forward Welsh business growth and respond directly to Brexit challenges that we all face.”  

Housing and Regeneration Minister Rebecca Evans has announced the funding for a Housing First pilot project in the area run by Conwy and Denbighshire local authorities. 

Housing First involves moving people with complex needs into permanent housing and offering them one to one support to address their problems and to be able to sustain a tenancy themselves. 

Rebecca Evans said:

“Tackling homelessness and rough sleeping is a Welsh Government priority, and we are investing record amounts to address it. 

“Housing First services are targeted at those who are likely to have severe mental illness, poor physical health and lack social support. 

“Housing First is an innovative approach which has been proven to work elsewhere. It works on the basis that people are more successful in moving forward with their lives if they are housed first and have choice and control over their lives. 

“It’s particularly impressive that 78% of people supported by the Anglesey Housing First project have successfully secured and maintained accommodation.  

“The cost to the public purse of not housing someone far outweighs the cost of supporting them into accommodation. We aim to support the most vulnerable people in Wales, and Housing First is a sound investment that can save money, as well as lives in the long term. I look forward to the results in Conwy and Denbighshire and seeing people supported into homes.

“The First Minister asked me to Chair a new Ministerial group to support our work tackling youth homelessness, and to oversee the development of Housing First in Wales. We will carefully evaluate how Housing First is working as part of this work, including the project in Conwy and Denbighshire.

“Today I’m meeting Dr Sam Tsemberis, who created the Housing First model in New York. The model is now in operation across the US, Canada, parts of Europe and New Zealand and has successfully housed and treated many thousands of people with severe mental ill-health and addiction. I’m keen to talk to him about how Housing First can work in Wales.”

Transport Secretary Ken Skates and Kevin Thomas, Chief Executive of Transport for Wales Rail Services met Aline Frantzen, Managing Director of Metrolink to go behind the scenes and experience the day to day running of the successful system.

During the visit, the Cabinet Secretary had a tour around the Network Management Centre, which as the control room and customer service centre, is the heart of the Metrolink operation. The network is monitored from here using radio communication, CCTV and tram management systems. Key messages are delivered to drivers from the control room in times of disruption.

Taking the opportunity to learn lessons on how Manchester has developed and grown their system and for operating and continuously improving regional metro networks, Transport Secretary Ken Skates said:

“We are putting passengers’ key priorities at the heart of the new contract, focusing on alleviating concerns around seat capacity, journey times and service frequency and ensuring fair, affordable fares and quality, clean trains.” 

“I was particularly interested in understanding the customer’s perspective – which elements of a Metro network passengers most value and how these lessons can be applied in Wales.

“We will work alongside Transport for Wales Rail Services to deliver these priorities across Wales and the border regions of England.

“The plans I have announced to date are only the start. Buses and active travel will also play a crucial role, as will park and ride and transport interchanges.

During his tour of the Old Trafford depot, Ken Skates also had an opportunity to meet with Councillor Mark Aldred, Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee.

This support will help significantly improve the chances of developing the Welsh-based sites as the preferred locations for any future and post-Brexit European investment projects.

The EU Transition Fund was announced in January 2018 and is already providing direct financial support to sectors across Wales to plan and prepare for the significant changes of Brexit. A number of projects have already benefited from £7.4 million of funding, including support for our agriculture and fisheries industry sectors, in particular £2.15 million for the development of the red meat sector in Wales.

In addition, £150,000 has been provided to help deliver a Brexit support package to all 22 local authorities in Wales and £200,000 to help the social care sector research into how Brexit could impact the Welsh workforce and help them plan for any eventualities. Wales’ universities also received £3.5 million to drive international partnerships and promote Wales as a study destination in a post-Brexit world.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said:

“Brexit presents a series of challenges and opportunities for businesses in Wales and it is my priority to ensure Wales is in the best possible position to prepare for a post-Brexit world.

“The funding I am announcing today from our EU Transition fund will provide the vitally needed support to help these important industries.”

Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said:

“The EU Transition Fund gives us a good opportunity to provide businesses in Wales with the support they need to provide their workforce with transferrable skills in order to continue showcasing Wales on a global stage.”

The £8.2m Trio Sci Cymru project will help to increase take up and grades in STEM subjects among young people living in West and North Wales and the South Wales Valleys.

More than 5,600 young people aged 11 to 19 from 30 schools will be encouraged to study STEM subjects – in particular triple Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) – at GCSE level and beyond, helping to create a skilled workforce and a prosperous economy.

Announcing the new funding the Finance Secretary said:

“Technology is moving at an increasing pace and for Wales to capitalise on this change we need a skilled workforce. This EU investment will help stimulate interest in these core subjects, encouraging take up and in turn growing the Welsh economy.”

Eluned Morgan, Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning, added:

“We know STEM subjects are essential to the technological, social and economic future of Wales. This investment will encourage our young people to pursue these subjects at GCSE level, helping them to build careers that are rewarding, fulfilling and well paid.”

Interest and participation in STEM learning will be stimulated through innovative outreach activities outside the formal education system. Activities will include interactive hands-on experiments, roadshows and awareness about STEM-related careers, equipping young people with the skills and knowledge about options available in the sector.

Trio Sci Cymru is led by the Welsh Government’s National Science Academy, in collaboration with the Institute of Physics and Cardiff, Swansea, Aberystwyth and Bangor universities. The £8.2 million Trio Sci Cymru project is backed by £5.7 million of EU funding and £2.5m from the Welsh Government’s National Science Academy.