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Councillor Townsend asked: Back in June, there was an event called Centre for Cities at which the council leaders of Cardiff, Swansea and Newport were asked what their three top economic policies were for their respective cities. Swansea’s leader listed the freeport in West Wales, a metro system and the Swansea Bay barrage. The Cardiff leader talked in some detail about education, housing and transport, while Newport’s leader gave a vague response about the economy and cooperation with partners. Could the leader of the council outline in more detail what Newport’s three tangible economic priorities are, noting that 24 per cent of the city is within the 10 per cent of deprived areas in Wales, the highest of any Welsh local authority? Councillor Mudd responded: The Centre for Cities discussion focused on economic opportunities and challenges for the City. I described, in detail, how collaboration is vital to delivering the following economic priorities for Newport as an identified area of national growth: Furthering the city’s strength as the core of the Compound Semi-Conductor industry in the UK – a sector cluster, which in 2021, generated significant economic benefit; £194m GVA and 1600 FTE employees – figures expected to double by 2025. Developing and growing the range of skills training provision in the city to meet the demand of growing employment sectors across the region, specifically working with partners to address skills shortages in the data and technology sectors. Continuing to improve both our transport infrastructure and digital connectivity to drive economic growth and sustainability. There is so much activity ongoing in Newport at the moment as a result of the Burns Commission and other opportunities, it is important to acknowledge the breadth and depth of interventions underway as a result of partnership working.
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