Work is progressing well to create a timber-based industrial strategy that can develop and sustain the high-value production and processing of Welsh wood. Next steps include a public consultation on the timber strategy and associated skills plan, with the intention of publishing a final version by the end of 2024.

Mae fy swyddogion yn monitro’n ofalus y sefyllfa o ran diffygdalu benthyciad Thames Water. Deallaf nad oes gan Ofwat bryderon penodol ynghylch cadernid ariannol ein cwmnïau dŵr yng Nghymru. Mae statws nid-er-elw cwmni dŵr mwyaf Cymru yn sicrhau na chaiff arian ei wario ar ddifidendau ar gyfer cyfranddalwyr ond yn hytrach caiff ei defnyddio er lles cwsmeriaid ac er mwyn atgyfnerthu mantolenni.

The Welsh Government works closely with local authorities and Natural Resources Wales as lead flood risk management authorities. On 19 March, the previous Minister for Climate Change announced the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Programme 2024 to 2025, which included £800,000 for NRW to progress construction work at Sandycroft, Flintshire.

There are tight regulatory controls over storm overflows. Where water companies fail to comply, we expect appropriate enforcement action to be taken by NRW as the regulator. We work closely with water companies, regulators and industry stakeholders to tackle storm overflows through water company business plans and better river quality taskforce action plans.

My sympathies are with all those affected by recent flood events in Kinmel Bay. We know it is impossible to stop or prevent all flooding, but are working to build resilient communities. This year, we are investing £14.1 million in Kinmel Bay under our coastal risk management programme.