The unprecedented downturn in the global economy has had a dramatic and undeniable impact on the economy of our country and prompted unprecedented responses from the Government in Westminster, working in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government in Cardiff Bay.

But there has also been much to celebrate for the people of Wales in the past 12 months.

Since my own return as Secretary of State for Wales last January, I have witnessed one of the most remarkable years for Wales for many generations.

There has been Welsh sporting glory in one of the most successful sporting calendar years Wales has ever seen. Whether it was on the rugby or soccer pitch, boxing ring or at the Olympic and Paralympic games in Beijing this summer, Welsh sportsmen and women made 2008 a golden year for Welsh sport.

I was at the Millennium Stadium to watch the Welsh team lift the Six Nations’ Grand Slam trophy after a magnificent victory over France in March. Success then followed on the football pitch as Cardiff City FC reached the final of this year’s FA Cup competition for the first time since 1927 and Welsh rivals Swansea City FC won promotion to the Championship.

In August I joined First Minister Rhodri Morgan and 2,000 cheering fans in Cardiff Bay to welcome home Wales’s Olympic heroes from Beijing with the best medal haul for Wales for almost 90 years. Cyclists Nicole Cooke and Geraint Thomas and rower Tom James all attaining Olympic Golds.

Welsh Olympic glory was followed just a few weeks later by Welsh Paralympic glory. The success of Welsh Paralympians helped Team GB to finish second in the medal table at Beijing. Of the 42 gold medals won by the GB team, 10 were won by Welsh athletes - and four by Pontypridd swimmer David Roberts.

Meanwhile, 2008 was the year that confirmed Joe Calzaghe as the most successful Welsh boxing champion of all time, extending his unbeaten record to 46 fights with magnificent Stateside wins against Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jnr.

Whether Joe’s future lies inside or outside the boxing ring, I am sure that he - and all our sporting heroes of 2008 - will remain great role models for future generations in Wales.

Success for Wales in 2008 came not only on the sporting field. Welsh successes were saluted in the worlds of television, theatre and music, where 2008 became the year of “Cwl Cymru”.

An unlikely comedy about Barry Island and Billericay, Gavin and Stacey, scooped the biggest awards at the Baftas in April and became one of the must-see programmes of Christmas, alongside our other top Welsh TV export, Dr Who.

We Welsh were also making an impact elsewhere, Cardiff choir Only Men Aloud! was voted the best in Britain, a young girl from my own Torfaen constituency became the first Welsh winner of Big Brother and a young singer from Nefyn - Duffy - became the best-selling recording artist of 2008 with her debut album ‘Rockferry’ and is now poised for international stardom in 2009.

2008 was a year marked by some significant anniversaries in Wales.

In July I attended a service at Westminster Abbey to mark the 60^th anniversary of the creation of the NHS by Labour Health Minister and Blaenau Gwent MP Aneurin Bevan. The NHS is rightly seen as the jewel in the crown of any government achievement of the last century. Nye’s vision was inspired by the experiences of what he saw in Wales and so it is true to say that the NHS was born in the valleys of South Wales. Sixty years on, the NHS is still the pride of Wales, and of Britain, and the envy of the world.

In July we marked the 10^th anniversary of the National Minimum Wage. Since it was introduced by this government in 1999, hundreds of thousands of people in Wales have benefited from a fairer wage, particularly women and part-time staff.

On Remembrance Day I joined the Prime Minister and Cabinet colleagues at the Cenotaph in London to mark the 90^th anniversary of the Great War Armistice. During the service three surviving British veterans of the First World War laid wreaths representing the RAF, Army and Royal Navy.

It is still so important 90 years on that we all remember the sacrifices that were made by that brave generation and try to repay the debt of gratitude that we all owe them. Around 40,000 Welsh soldiers died during the First World War, the most ever to have died during a war.

In April Wales Office Minister Huw Irranca-Davies embarked on a North-South tour of Wales to see the contribution that defence services are still making to Wales. The three-day tour also marked commemorations for the 90^th anniversary of the Royal Air Force and the 100^th anniversary of the Territorial Army in Wales.

Huw himself said farewell to the Wales Office in September when he moved to Defra in the Prime Minister’s reshuffle. He was replaced as the new Wales Office Minister by Caerphilly MP Wayne David.

Another significant day for Wales came in April when the first Welsh Order in Council was approved by Her Majesty in Council. It marked a historic milestone in the devolution process for Wales and for the transfer of powers from Parliament to the National Assembly of Wales. It showed how the UK Government and Welsh Assembly Government are working together to deliver better services and make a real difference to the lives of people in Wales.

At Westminster, Welsh MPs continued to play a vital role in scrutiny and decision making issues in Wales and across the UK.

Earlier this month the Queen’s Speech included a raft of 14 new Bills, all with direct implications for the people of Wales. I addressed the National Assembly in Cardiff Bay to outline to AMs how the new legislative programme reflects the Government’s determination to deliver greater economic stability and social fairness for people across Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom.

For it is, of course, the economy that has dominated headlines in Wales since the summer.

After witnessing the booming economic growth of recent years, in Wales, like the rest of the UK and virtually the whole world, we are preparing ourselves for a more demanding economic climate in the months ahead. That is why I am sure many of you, especially those facing job uncertainty or redundancies, have tightened your belts and cut back this Christmas.These are unprecedented times and the challenges of the current economic conditions in 2009 will require a coherent and comprehensive response. While there is no silver bullet available to remedy current global economic conditions, it is possible to limit their impact on individuals, families and businesses in Wales, and to equip them better to respond in the new year.

The Government’s priority at the moment must be financial stability. As Welsh Secretary, I sit on the National Economic Committee, chaired by the Prime Minister, ensuring all is being done to ensure stability is maintained during this unparalleled period of global turmoil.

This is also a time when it is critically important that the UK and the Welsh Assembly governments both listen carefully to the experiences of businesses and other local groups to ensure we understand exactly what is happening at the sharp end of the downturn. That is why I have been attending All-Wales Economic Summit meetings with Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan.

These summit meetings have been invaluable in bringing together representatives from across the business, union, banking and retail sectors of Wales to discuss how we can work together to ensure Wales is fully prepared for the tougher times ahead and ready to lead the upturn when it returns.

Many economists predict this could happen by the latter half of 2009.

Working in close partnership together, the UK Government and the Welsh Assembly Government can offer support to stimulate the economy, build on the nation’s strengths and help Welsh families and businesses through the tougher times ahead - and we will.So, as 2008 draws to a close and we enter the new year, I want to reassure you that the Government will be continuing to work in partnership with the Welsh Assembly to ensure 2009 is as happy and prosperous a new year as possible for you and your families.

Happy New Year.

Paul Murphy MP

Secretary of State for Wales

The 11 youngsters, aged between three and 16, called in to Gwydyr House to meet Mr Murphy, Wales Office Minister Wayne David and other Welsh MPs before popping across the road for a festive visit to Downing Street. It was then off to the Speaker’s House at the Palace of Westminster for a surprise meeting with Santa Claus.

The children, from South and West Wales, were in London with Welsh children’s charity LATCH. They were accompanied by parents, LATCH co-ordinator Tony Curtis and his team, Welsh Guardsmen and Shenkin - the goat mascot of the Royal Regiment of Wales.

Welcoming the youngsters, Mr Murphy said: “This visit is one of the highlights of the year for the Wales Office. LATCH has been organising these Christmas trips to London for 15 years and the Wales Office has always been delighted to host these extra special Christmas parties.

“Tony Curtis and his team at LATCH do a fantastic job and it is a real honour to have the opportunity to meet these wonderful children and their families. Their visit captures the true magic of Christmas and represent the way all children are dearly cared for across Wales. I wish them all a very happy Christmas.”

Mr Murphy joked: “It was also a delight to meet Shenkin. I think he is the first four-legged goat ever to be in the Secretary of State’s Office, but he proved to be very well behaved indeed!”

It has been another busy parliamentary session, starting with the appointment of new Wales Office Minister Wayne David.  In three months dominated by the downturn in the global economy, the Minister joined Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy to fulfil key role in both Whitehall and Wales in supporting Welsh families and firms through these challenging times. 

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Mr Murphy said: “Thank you, Presiding Officer, and thank you all. It gives me great pleasure to be here to address you all, the last time I was here was in 2000.

“The Queen announced the Government’s legislative programme for the 4^th Session last Wednesday .The programme reflects my Government’s determination to deliver greater economic stability and social fairness for people across Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom.

“I, and colleagues, have worked closely with the Welsh Assembly Government in recent months, not just on the legislative programme as it has developed but on other economic issues as well. It is important that that level of co-operation continues.

“Through my attendance at the All Wales Economic Summits I am able to hear directly from business leaders in Wales the very real problems that Welsh businesses are facing at this difficult time.

“Providing that direct link between Wales and Whitehall is vital, and my membership on the National Economic Council ensures that central government knows what the public, the businesses community and third sector organisations are concerned about in Wales and what help they need. And that is the whole purpose of the National Economic Council, to co-ordinate economic policies across Government, targeting and focusing on what ‘real help’ people and business need in these extraordinary times.

“The legislative programme needs to be viewed in the context of the economic challenges people and businesses are currently facing. It builds on the Pre-Budget Report and other measures we have taken.

“The central purpose of this Queen’s Speech and of the Government’s overall agenda is to support our economy now, providing real help for families and business now, when they need it, while equipping ourselves for a stronger, fairer future. To do nothing, to let events take their course, cannot be the answer.

“We are determined to help families and businesses in Wales get through the tough times ahead -keeping the banking system safe for savers, supporting small businesses, jobs and helping families stay in their homes. And we will help those who are hardest hit through no fault of their own.

“To help better equip people meet the economic challenges we are facing as a result of the global economic downturn, we are bringing forward legislation such as the Banking Bill, to prevent and deal with banks getting into difficulties and improve protection for customers, and the Saving Gateways and Accounts Bill, which will support families and encourage those on lower incomes to save. In Wales this means that nearly 440,000 people could benefit and be encouraged to save for the future.

“Unemployment in Wales is still far lower then it was in the early 90’s. But we want to ensure that those facing redundancy and those seeking employment are helped back into work quickly. We published today the Welfare Reform White Paper which sets our proposals to improve support and incentives for people to move from benefits into work and provide greater choice and control for disabled people. We are continuing to work with colleagues in the Welsh Assembly Government to take forward these plans as they impact on Wales. Indeed, I intend to include Welfare Reform as a topic for discussion at our next Joint Ministerial Committee meeting early next year.

“We need to break the cycle of welfare dependency. It is key to our commitment to tackle unemployment, nationally and locally, and to create a tax and benefits system which raises family incomes. Those on long term benefits will be encouraged to take active steps to help themselves get back to work, by accessing training and skills courses. We are proposing measures to help those with drug problems and a greater choice and control for disabled people over the resources which are spent on them.

“During the Queens Speech debate last week, the Prime Minister announced the New Homeowner Mortgage Support Scheme, which will help homeowners at risk of repossession through no fault of their own. The scheme will give people who face a temporary fall in their income the confidence that they need to rearrange their finances so they can come through a difficult period without losing their home.

“But as well as helping people through the current difficulties, we must act to ensure that we emerge from the downturn fairer and stronger than ever before.

“That is why we have announced the intention to enshrine in law our historic commitment to eradicate child poverty in a generation, a commitment which I know is shared by the Welsh Assembly Government.

“The Equality Bill will promote fairness and equality of opportunity, tackle disadvantage and discrimination and modernise and strengthen the law to make it fit for the challenges that our society faces today and in the future.

“We have already taken strong, decisive action to stabilise the banks and protect savers and borrowers, by investing £37 billion re-capitalising our banks, a move that other countries across the world have followed our lead on. In return we have set tough conditions on the banks that get our help - to make sure they make every effort to support businesses and households too.

“We have also seen another substantial fall in interest rates, with a full percentage point cut down to 2%, taking it to its lowest level since 1951. A number of the major banks have already confirmed that they will be passing on this cut in full to its customers.

“These are amongst some of the areas that are important to the people of Wales, which we want to focus on. There are 14 Bills in the 4^th Session and most of them and maybe all of them once Bills are finalised will affect Wales in some way.

“As the Secretary of State for Wales, I represent Wales’ interests within the Cabinet. I believe that the Bills announced in the Queen Speech will benefit the people of Wales in all kinds of ways.

“The Government is committed to ensuring fairness in our society, with fair rules to tackle crime and disorder and strengthen our borders. It is important to have a fair say for all to give people greater control over the services they use. And most importantly we need to ensure that everyone has a fair chance to realise their potential.

“Presiding Officer, devolution has become an accepted part of the political landscape in Wales, with the Welsh Assembly Government tailoring policies in many areas to the particular needs and circumstances of Welsh people, adding flexibility to the delivery of public services.

“It continues to be our policy that the Welsh Assembly Government should have maximum discretion in bringing legislative proposals before the National Assembly. There will be two Bills in this Session that will contain framework powers:

“The Marine and Coastal Access Bill will, in addition to establishing Welsh Ministers as the marine planning authority for the offshore region adjacent to Wales and creating a Welsh fisheries zone, ensure the Assembly is able to legislate for a coastal path around the Welsh coast.

“The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill includes framework powers relating to the governance of county and county borough councils in Wales, including political management arrangements and overview and scrutiny.

“I am particularly pleased with the way in which the proposals for the Marine Bill has developed with devolved interests fully reflected, not just in Wales but in Scotland and Northern Ireland as well. It was one of the areas for action highlighted at the Joint Ministerial Committee plenary earlier this year.

“The measures we have announced in this legislative programme illustrate why it remains highly relevant for the people of Wales. Through a combination of Bills with Framework Powers, Bills with specific Welsh provisions and Bills that legislate on a United Kingdom or England and Wales basis we are tackling issues that matter in a way that is responsive to the needs of all our Welsh people.

“Thank you all very much.”

During the Summit Mr Murphy said: “Wales’s response to the economic downturn has been exemplary, and I believe that the rest of the United Kingdom is learning lessons from the Welsh response.”

“The UK Government has taken a series of important, practical and positive measures to help businesses and families, including a number which we have discussed at previous economic summits. But in some respects, even more help is available in Wales.

“We are better off in Wales in many ways because of the way our Economic Summits have developed a response to the downturn. This approach is leading the way in terms of dealing with the global problems which affect us all.”

During the Summit the Welsh Assembly Government also announced additional programmes worth £68 million to help individuals, communities and businesses across Wales through the current economic downturn.

These new programmes are in addition to the £877 million worth of support already announced since the first Summit in October.

Today’s measures include;

• ProAct - a new programme to provide training for people who would otherwise be made redundant or put on short-time working.
• £45 million Business Growth Project designed to create 6,000 jobs;
• £23 million of capital expenditure will be brought forward into the remainder of this financial year.

The Summit again brought together business and trades union representatives from all the key economic sectors in Wales to discuss the impact of the downturn on the business community in Wales and the right response to it. The First Minister, Secretary of State for Wales and Deputy First Minister reported on progress achieved by the Welsh Assembly Government and the UK Government following the second summit at St Asaph last month.

First Minister, Rhodri Morgan provided an update on the progress made in responding to the calls made at earlier Summit meetings and announced a new scheme to prevent redundancies and enhance skills.

“A need identified at previous Summits, to support companies who wish to provide additional training for employees who would otherwise be put on short-time working or made redundant will now be met by the new ProAct scheme which will be piloted from next month.”

“This innovative programme will enable employers facing difficulties to retain skilled workers and enhance their skills ready for the upturn. Proact complements the ReAct programme, and will help to prevent redundancies as well as improving the skills base.”

Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones, announced a new £45m programme to support small and medim sized companies and social enterprises.

“This new Business Growth project will be delivered through the Assembly Government’s Flexible Suppoprt For Business programme and will provide a high level of one-to-one support through a specialised relationship management service for SMEs including social enterprises.”

“It is estimated that this project alone will help create some 6,000 jobs.”

A programme of £23 million of capital expenditure is also going to be brought forward into this financial year - and includes £9m to support small capital works and refurbishment programmes in schools and college buildings; £10m to support the Social Housing Grant programme; £2m to adapt the homes of vulnerable peopls, and a further £2 million in the Heads of the Valleys Low Carbon Economy programme - which will also help to alleviate fuel poverty.

The £10 million Social Housing Grant will help to reduce the effect of the credit crunch on the construction sector and help to meet housing need and is in addition to £42m for 500 new homes announced earlier this week.

Other new measures unveiled at today’s Summit include plans to invest in the ExchangeWales Programme over the next three months to enable successful primary contractors to advertise new business opportunities to sub contractors.

In addition, the Assembly Government’s Basic Skills Pledge will be expanded to enable 10,000 Welsh workers to benefit from this programme over the next 2 years.

First Minister, Rhodri Morgan

Secretary of State for Wales, Paul Murphy

Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones

Speaking following the Queen’s Speech, Mr Murphy said: “The new legislative programme launched today reflects the Government’s continuing determination to deliver greater economic stability and social fairness for people across Wales and the rest of the UK.

“This programme builds on measures announced in the Chancellor’s Pre-Budget Report last week to help better equip people meet the economic challenges we are facing as a result of the global economic downturn. We are bringing forward legislation such as the Banking Bill, to prevent and deal with banks getting into difficulties and improve protection for customers, and the Saving Gateways and Accounts Bill, which will support families and encourage those on lower incomes to save.

Mr Murphy said: “The new legislative programme also demonstrates our commitment to ensuring fairness in our society. It promotes fair rules to tackle crime and disorder and strengthen our borders; a fair say for all to give people greater control over the services they use; and fair chances so that people can fully realise their potential.

“The Equality Bill will promote fairness and equality of opportunity, tackle disadvantage and discrimination and modernise and strengthen the law to make it fit for the challenges that our society faces today and in the future.”

He added: “The Welfare Reform Bill will build upon our previous reforms so that nobody is written off on long-term benefits. We are proposing measures to help people with drug problems and a lack of skills to get back into work.  The Bill will also provide greater choice and control for disabled people over the resources spent on them.

“We are working with the Welsh Assembly Government to seek their support to implement plans to improve skills training and drug rehabilitation in the benefits system. I believe that it is important that people in Wales have the same rights and responsibilities as those across the rest of the UK.”

Two Bills featuring in the UK Government’s fourth session legislative programme - Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill and the Marine and Coastal Access Bill - will include framework powers for Wales, which will give the Welsh Assembly Government maximum discretion in bringing legislative proposals before the National Assembly for Wales.

Mr Murphy added: “The UK Government is continuing to work with the Welsh Assembly Government to extend the legislative competence of the National Assembly, whether through framework provisions or Legislative Competence Orders. The process is bringing real results for Wales, allowing the Welsh Assembly Government to make and implement policy decisions tailored to the needs and aspirations of the Welsh people.

“The Wales Office will continue to work hard with Welsh Members to deliver new powers to Wales, whilst continuing to represent and safeguard Welsh interests in non-devolved matters here at Westminster.”

Notes to Editors

Bills with framework powers: Marine and Coastal Access Bill

The Bill will improve and simplify arrangements for managing marine development and protecting the marine environment and bio-diversity, including a new planning and licensing system for the marine area and a new system of marine conservation zones, and will provide greater recreational access to the coast.

Framework powers: Framework powers to enable the National Assembly to legislate in relation to coastal access in Wales.

Other Welsh provisions: Provisions establishing Welsh Ministers as the marine planning authority for the inshore and offshore regions adjacent to Wales.

Provisions for the creation of a Welsh Fisheries Zone.

Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill

The Bill will create greater opportunities for community and individual empowerment, reform local and regional governance arrangements to promote economic regeneration and continue the Government’s programme of housing reform.

Framework power: Framework Powers for the National Assembly of Wales to legislate for governance arrangements and review and scrutiny committees in county and county borough councils in Wales.

Bills with Welsh provisions

Business Rates Supplements

The Bill will promote long-term economic growth and productivity of those areas that levy a supplement, by permitting investment in projects that support economic growth, and which would not otherwise proceed.

Child Poverty

The Bill will support the Government’s commitment to set targets to eradicate child poverty by 2020. This will mean tackling the underlying causes of poverty rather then just treating the symptoms.

Coroners and Justice

The Bill delivers a more effective, transparent and responsive justice system and coroner service for victims, witnesses, bereaved families and the wider public.

Children, Skills and Learning

The Bill aims to reform education, training and apprenticeships for young people and adults, and to provide new powers to strengthen children’s trusts, improve standards in schools and increase confidence in qualifications.

Equality Bill

The Bill will aim to promote fairness and equality of opportunity; tackle disadvantage and discrimination; and to modernise and strengthen the law to make it fit for the challenges that our society faces today and in the future.

Health

The Bill will improve the quality of NHS care, the performance of NHS services and public health.

Policing and Crime

The Bill increase the effectiveness and public accountability of policing, continue to address crime and disorder and improve security planning at UK airports.

Welfare Reform

The Bill will reform the welfare and benefit system to improve support and incentives for people to move from benefits into work, provide greater choice and control for disabled people, and encourage parental responsibility by introducing a requirement for births to be registered jointly by both parents.

A cut in VAT, extension of assistance for families on the lowest tax bands and increases in child benefit payments for 360,000 working Welsh families will all help to put back more money in pockets across Wales.

In addition, all pensioners across Wales can now expect to receive a one-off £60 payment from the Government in the New Year - on top of pension increases.

Mr Murphy said: “Alistair Darling’s pre-Budget report today put in an additional £20 billion to support the UK economy right now, to help families and businesses through the tough times ahead. This is the responsible thing to do to restore and maintain financial stability in the medium term and avoid the misery of a longer and deeper recession.

“Families, homebuyers and pensioners in Wales will all benefit from the measures announced today by the Chancellor, including a 2.5 per cent cut in VAT. There is also support for almost 195,000 small and medium-sized Welsh businesses through a package of tax relief and loan funding guarantees.

“In addition, measures such as business rate exemptions on vacant business properties and additional time to pay their tax bills for firms facing cash flow problems demonstrate how this Government is listening and responding to the needs of the business community. Both these measures were key requests I received from business people at recent All-Wales economic summits.”

Mr Murphy added: “Homebuyers in Wales and those struggling with mortgage payments will also be supported through these tough times. The availability of new mortgages from banks will be more rigorously monitored by Government, while there will be a three month moratorium on home repossessions, plus more free debt advice and more money for home insulation to cut fuel bills.”

The new unit, at Llantarnam Business Park, is one of three new centres being opened simultaneously across Wales to launch a new ‘Victim Support Plus’. Victim care staff will aim to contact all victims of crime in Wales by telephone within 48 hours of receiving a referral from police.

Specially-trained staff will provide support and information over the telephone, as well as commission services, such as lock replacement, emergency glazing and face-to-face visits from trained Victim Support volunteers if necessary.

Mr Murphy said: “Victim Support already does excellent work for victims of crime in Wales and across the UK and this centre will extend that provision even further. This year already, the police have referred over 80,000 cases to Victim Support in Wales with additional in-court referrals made by the Crown Prosecution Service.

“Assisting this many victims of crime is an excellent achievement and the fact that an even more proactive approach to referrals is being launched is to be applauded. For the individual victim of crime, this telephone call will be the first and, for many, the most important contact they receive. To know that there is someone able to provide advice and support in managing the impact of a crime, can make a huge difference in how someone copes with the distressing effects of being a victim.”

Mr Murphy added: “Over recent years, the Government’s annual funding to Victim Support has increased from £11.7 million to £30 million. The Office for Criminal Justice Reform has provided further investment to enable the national roll-out of Victim Support Plus in centres such as this one, with £5.6 million provided last year and £7 million this year.

“Shortly, the Government will introduce the Law Reform, Victims and Witnesses Bill, which will further strengthen the provisions for victims and witnesses in the criminal justice system while increasing confidence in the system itself.”

Mr David was visiting Wrexham to meet members of the Wrexham Industrial Estate Business Forum to hear about the issues they are facing.

He also saw how Wrexham’s new Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre was strengthening the local economy and visited Trackyou Ltd, a small business based in Wrexham, recently listed in the Wales Fastgrowth 50 of 2008.

Mr David said: “Small and medium sized businesses are extremely important to the economy in Wales. It is vital that they get the right support to see them through the current difficulties they face.

“No government could prevent this global downturn but we are confident that the economy in North Wales will get through this difficult period. We can’t underestimate the challenges ahead, but we are better placed to deal with the challenges we face than ever before.

“Developments such as the Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre can help towns such as Wrexham to strengthen their economy. Not only has it created around 1,000 jobs for local people but it has also lifted Wrexham into the top 100 towns for retail in the UK.”

During his meeting with the Wrexham Industrial Estate Business Forum, Mr David explained what his role involved as a member of the Council of Regional Ministers and gave his commitment to feedback all their concerns to the UK Government and the Welsh Assembly Government.

Mr David added: “As a member of the Council of Regional Ministers I am in a position to listen to the views of small businesses, such as those based on Wrexham Industrial Estate, and feed them back to the heart of Government. Our primary focus is to help savers, small businesses and homeowners through the economic problems they are facing.

“That is why meetings like today’s are vital. I’ll be feeding all the points and concerns that people have raised today back to the Government, both in Wales and Westminster to ensure that Government action is addressing the most critical areas.

“I would like to give my assurance that all that can be done, is being done, to deal with the global economic issues impacting on the UK and Wales.”

During the service three surviving British veterans of the First World War laid wreaths representing the RAF, Army and Royal Navy.

The veterans, with a combined age of 330, led the country in observing two minutes’ silence from 11am to mark the moment when the Armistice Day Treaty signed by the Allies and Germany to end the Great War came into effect.

Mr Murphy said: “It is still important 90 years on that we all remember the sacrifices that were made by that brave generation and try to repay the debt of gratitude that we all owe them. Around 40,000 Welsh soldiers died during the First World War, the most ever to have died during a war.

“I was pleased to see so many young people taking part in Remembrance Day services across Wales this year. This will help to ensure that future generations remember the ultimate sacrifices made by so many in the fight for our freedom. It is a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid, but we will never forget them.

“With the London Welsh Male Voice Choir leading the hymns at the Cenotaph in London, today’s service also gave us the opportunity to acknowledge the British troops, including those from Wales, currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.”