---

Work Programme (Wales)

I am pleased to have the opportunity to discuss the Work programme, which is an important issue, and employment specifically. First, though, I formally welcome all Members to Wrexham today. This is an important initiative; I am only sorry that we did not have more notice and that the Members who have taken the trouble to come here have not had the opportunity to see more of the town. More engagement with the local community is an innovation that might have been discussed with me. Unfortunately, we have a Secretary of State who does not do that and did not discuss the matter with me before she came to my constituency.