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Work Programme

My colleagues and I have regular discussions with the Welsh Assembly Government and with Members of the Welsh Assembly. My colleague, Lord Freud, who is responsible for liaison between our Department and the devolved Administrations, also has regular meetings with them. I have had meetings with Carwyn Jones and other Administration members in Cardiff. We regard working in partnership as crucial if we are to try to secure investment and skills for Wales and help ensure that Welsh business has access to the right people; this is a team effort. Although the Assembly Government in Cardiff are controlled by our political opponents, there are times and places in which political differences are irrelevant and in which we must work closely in partnership together. It is certainly the goal of the Government at Westminster to do everything that we can to work with the devolved Administration to encourage employment growth, and economic growth, in Wales.