Taking Wales Forward

1 Taking Wales Forward2016-2021 Welsh Wales Forward 2016-2021 2 Foreword by the First Minister of Wales 3 Prosperous and Secure 4 Healthy and active 7 Ambitious and Learning 9 United and Connected 12 Shared Challenges and Opportunities 15 Driving Forward Delivery 15 Contents Taking Wales Forward 2016-2021 3 Foreword Taking Wales Forward sets out how this Government will deliver more and better jobs through a stronger, fairer economy, improve and reform our public services, and build a united, connected and sustainable critical five years lie ahead.

2 The UK withdrawal from the European Union creates some uncertainty and challenges, but our mandate is clear. The Welsh Government s relentless focus will be on driving improvement in our economy and public services, which are together the bedrock of people s daily document outlines our key priorities for delivering those improvements. They are ambitious measures aimed at making a difference for everyone, at every stage in their in the 21st century is diverse and complex and our programmes need to reflect that.

3 We need to support people when they need it most, and equip services to respond to challenges, such as an ageing population, a changing climate, new technologies and globalisation. A future outside the European Union asks additional questions of what kind of country we want to be. To provide stability we will continue our commitment to get the right settlement for the people of Wales . We must work together, to take the whole country Forward and contribute to delivering goals that we issues we face can only be tackled through new ways of working, including joined up programmes which reinforce and build on what people and communities are doing for themselves.

4 Taking Wales Forward sets out how we will work across traditional boundaries to deliver our priorities. Four cross-cutting strategies will help us to maximise our impact in these uncertain times and deliver the promise of the Future Generations work must be guided by financial responsibility and realism. Austerity imposed by the UK Government continues, and every objective analysis of the potential impact of Brexit says we should be prepared for a shrinking economy. So now, more than ever being in Government means choices and we will face tough ones.

5 Where we start new programmes to fulfil our pledges, we must stop something else to pay for it. That is the new reality for this Assembly, and every party must adapt to this if they are to play a serious role in Wales future. The promises made by the Leave campaign in the European Referendum have already been consigned to the scrapheap, and so it is for the Welsh Government to prove doubters wrong and show once again that our policies can deliver, even in changed and more difficult leadership listens. No one has a monopoly on good ideas.

6 Ours will be an open government, receptive to new ideas and willing to work with others. Together we can build a Wales that is more confident, more equal, better skilled and more resilient. As a country we have punched above our weight on the international stage, and now we are ready to do more. I want to see a Wales which is prosperous and secure, healthy and active , ambitious and learning, united and is the Wales we are determined to build over the coming five Jones First Minister of WalesWe will provide the support that people need to access those jobs.

7 Better schools and better skills have never been so important for our young people and the future of the economy. Through better education and providing skills for life we can help to break the cycle of disadvantage and inequality over the longer term. Our commitment is to offer the skills and experiences people need to thrive and prosper in our people into employment and sustaining jobs is not just about increasing skills. We will improve workforce health, including mental ill health, through ensuring that health services support people throughout their working are offering a better deal on childcare to remove barriers to secure employment.

8 We want to help those who want to work, or start a business, but are currently constrained by childcare pressures. We will make significant investment in transport right around Wales to ensure that people can travel easily to jobs and so that businesses can trade Business Deliver a tax cut, meaning smaller bills for 70,000 businesses and reducing business rates bills to zero for half of all eligible firms. Create a Wales Development Bank. Drive Forward inward investment, innovation and the creation of new jobs through a Business Accelerator Scheme for home-grown businesses with global potential designed to improve marketing, advertising, networking and skills and SecureProsperity brings security to individuals, families and communities.

9 Our aim is better jobs, closer to home. We want work and secure housing for all, supported by sustainable growth in our businesses. Our ambitions will be shaped by the challenges we face. These include ongoing austerity, UK withdrawal from the EU, globalisation, technological innovation, climate change and an ageing population. This Government will focus on effective interventions which deliver greater financial security for businesses and individuals to build growth and will foster the conditions needed to allow businesses to thrive and to create and retain high quality jobs in Wales .

10 We will promote manufacturing as a key sector for growth in the Welsh economy. We will reduce burdens on business and stimulate innovation and growth, working with our universities and colleges. We will build infrastructure to keep Wales moving and connect people with jobs, housing and leisure. Over recent years Wales has raised its profile globally as a first-class place to invest, do business, visit, study, and to live. We have built a global reputation for sustainable development. Building on record levels of inward investment we will constantly seek new markets and investors from around the world, and promote Wales as an active international partner.