'Wockhardt has played a key role in manufacturing the AstraZeneca vaccine'

MS for Wrexham

Readers may be aware Wrexham-based Wockhardt has played a key role in manufacturing the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is being used throughout the UK. Their sterling work has contributed significantly to Wales’ highly successful Covid vaccination programme. The company, which currently employs around 500 staff in Wrexham, is the fourth largest generic pharmaceutical company in the UK and Ireland. Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething and I visited Wockhardt last week to witness the vaccine being manufactured first-hand. I attended in my role as the Welsh Government Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd and am immensely proud the Wockhardt team in Wrexham has had a major part in helping protect and save lives during the pandemic.

Last week we celebrated Armed Forces Day and I would like to thank all the Armed Forces personnel and veterans that have been working hard supporting the Wrexham community during the pandemic. The day offers the chance to show our appreciation to all those who have served in the military, past and present. I am proud the Welsh Labour Government has led the way in supporting the community, supporting the Armed Forces Covenant for the last ten years. The Covenant was established to help ensure past and present members of the Armed Forces community are not disadvantaged when accessing services, and that they receive special consideration, for example, for access to health services if their condition is Service related.

Supporting our young people is crucial to driving Wales’ economic recovery post-pandemic. One of the Welsh Government’s priorities this upcoming Senedd term is to provide everyone under 25 with the offer of work, education, training or self-employment through its new Young Person’s Guarantee. Working Wales will become the gateway into the Guarantee, building on its already strong and successful model of delivering careers guidance and signposting support. They will also trial a new Job Matching service, to assist young people with securing employment and help employers to fill vacancies. It is still early days but as we start to look beyond the pandemic, I want to ensure Wrexham’s younger generation benefits from this ambitious new Guarantee. Working Wales can be contacted online. There are also Contact Centres located throughout Wales, with Wrexham’s based at Egerton House, Rhosddu Road, Wrexham, LL11 1EQ. This centre is open for booked appointments only and can be contacted by calling 0800 028 4844.