The terrible Welsh cliches in Boris Johnson's newly published UK Government plan for Wales
Should you thought dragon images were generally restricted to tourism campaigns, sports events and St David's Day think again.
The mythical beast continues to be summoned into the political arena to symbolise Wales as it grapples having a 21st century, post-Covid, post-Brexit world.
Wales belongs to an “awesome foursome” a dragon that's had it's wings clipped too long, but a dragon which will “soar once again”.
These are just some of the cliched images soaring unfettered through Boris Johnson's description of Wales in the summary of the UK government's newly published arrange for Wales.
But it's not just the dragon, a historical figure can also be drawn on by the Pm.
Victorian draper Pryce Pryce-Jones, who started the very first catalog shopping catalogues, is also used as an example of the historic innovation in Wales. You can read about Pryce Pryce Jones here.
So, before we obtain towards the detail of the 34-page UK Government's Arrange for Wales, lets check out a few of the classic Boris-isms in the forward to the document.
“Wales (is) such a unique member of our awesome foursome.”
“For too long the red dragon's wings have been clipped, its nostrils congested, but forget about. Gorau chwarae, cyd chwarae.”
“The Pryce Pryce-Joneses nowadays have everything they have to rise for their potential, and the Welsh dragon can soar once more.”
So, this is the dragons and magic. What about the future? Do “the Pryce Pryce-Joneses of today have all the feaures they need to rise to their potential”?.
The document lays out, the very first time, the UK Government's key commitments up to now to Wales.
It looks at Wales' economic, scientific and cultural contribution towards the UK and just what the united kingdom can deliver for Wales.
Here is a snapshot of some of the commitments (without any dragons included):
Levelling up
In February, the united kingdom Government announced it would deliver the Levelling Up Fund UK-wide, allocating funding in most parts of the country. It will likely be allocated for projects for example regenerating town centres, upgrading local transport, and investing in cultural and heritage assets.
Wales will receive at least 5% of total allocations for the first round of funding, and the Fund will also give lb125,000 to each council in Wales.
Climate change
The new UK Infrastructure Bank will help tackle climate change and its focus includes economic infrastructure in the clean energy, transport, digital, water and waste sectors. The financial institution will operate across the whole from the UK.
“Building strategic relationships with Welsh local authorities and relevant institutions, such as the Development Bank of Wales, is a priority. In the Summer, the financial institution will offer you loans to local authorities over the UK, including Wales at an attractive rate for high value and strategic projects with a minimum of lb5 million,” the document says.
Other plans within the pipeline are a couple of gigawatts of wind energy projects from the coast of North Wales, already in development, and The Crown Estate has confirmed it intends to hold a formal leasing round for floating offshore wind projects within the Celtic Sea,
Freeports
Wales is promised one out of the program, but what are they?
Freeports are located around shipping ports, or airports. Products which arrive into Freeports from abroad are exempt from tax charges “tariffs” normally paid to the government.
These taxes are just paid when the goods leave the Freeport and are moved elsewhere in the united kingdom. Otherwise, they are sent overseas with no charges being paid.
The UK had seven Freeports between 1984 and 2012. The government is bringing it well. with one promised for Wales.
The document pledges: “we remain dedicated to establishing a minumum of one Freeport in Wales as soon as possible. The Freeports offer will attract investment and new business organisations, driving growth and prosperity in Wales.”
Steel
The plan's to “continue to operate closely with the (steel) industry to ensure it features a sustainable future”.
But it will need to decarbonise with the aid of a lb250 million Clean Steel Fund to support the UK steel sector to transition to reduce carbon iron and steel production.
New markets for Welsh goods
The new Welsh Trade and Investment Hub will be home to export and investment specialists. It can help Welsh businesses get UK-wide government support to grow their export potential in untouched markets overseas like Japan, the US and India. The Hub will also support inward investment into Wales.
Transport
The final Union Connectivity Review report is anticipated to be published later come july 1st together with final recommendations on the way the UK Government can improve transport infrastructure across the UK, including Wales.
The entire plan could be read here.
