Energy independence – control over our natural resources so that our communities really benefit from renewables.

Wales is a global leader in renewable energy, but we don’t see enough of the benefits in our communities. The profits go to multinational developers and the UK Treasury. And despite how much clean energy we produce, energy prices in Wales are some of the highest in the UK.

The Crown Estate, which leases the Welsh seabed for offshore wind farms, makes millions in profits from Welsh natural resources, but none of these profits stay in Wales. Instead, they go to London and fund the Royal Family. The Scottish Government has successfully fought for devolution of the Crown Estate, to make sure its profits from its Scottish assets stay in Scotland. The Welsh Government has refused to fight for the same deal for Wales.

Plaid Cymru will demand the devolution of the Crown Estate, on the same terms as Scotland, so that its profits stay in Wales.

And we will also:

• Reform community benefit funds to ensure that more of the profits from renewable energy developments stay and are reinvested in Welsh communities.
• Facilitate more shared and community ownership of renewable energy projects, so that communities, households and businesses feel the benefits in their energy bills.

A skills strategy fit for the future, so that everyone has the skills they need to get ahead.

There are more people in Wales not in employment, education or training than in other of the UK’s regions and nations. And meanwhile, too many businesses in Wales are struggling to fill their job vacancies.

There is a mis-match in our skills system, and it is failing to provide people in Wales – and our young people in particular – with the valuable skills they need to find fulfilling work.

To create a skills system that works for Wales, Plaid Cymru will:

• Launch a National Skills Audit to ensure that education and training opportunities are aligned with the real needs of Welsh employers and industries, and reflect future opportunities in the Welsh economy.
• Ensure that the different parts of the skills system work together, so that everyone is fully supported to achieve their ambitions and fulfil their potential.

A new, strategic approach to innovation backed up by a new deal for our universities.

The current Welsh Labour Government has talked a big game on innovation, but there’s no clear plan to make it happen. Wales needs a strong, clear strategy to drive innovation and use technology and new processes to improve products and services.

Innovation makes our economy more productive, meaning increased profitability and better jobs.

Plaid Cymru’s plan is to support our universities, which are the engines of innovation in Wales, by providing a sustainable funding settlement.

Right now, too much of Wales' funding for Higher Education goes to subsidising English universities. We need to rethink how we spend money on Higher Education to better support both our students and universities here in Wales.

Plaid Cymru will:

• Review student finance to ensure more of the money Welsh Government spends on Higher Education stays here in Wales – benefiting our universities and our students.
• Create a new Innovation Agency to support research, development, and innovation.

Wealth in and for our communities, by supporting community-owned businesses, social enterprises and co-operatives.

Right across Wales – from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Blaenau Gwent – there are examples of communities taking their economic futures into their own hands, by establishing social enterprises, community-owned businesses and co-operatives.

Because they are embedded in their communities, these businesses are more sustainable, and tend to provide better quality jobs over a longer term. They combine profit-making with social responsibility, keeping wealth recycling in our villages, towns and cities.

To better support community wealth building in Wales, we will:

• Give communities a ‘right to buy’ – first dibs on key assets like businesses, buildings and land when these come up for sale, so they can be brought into collective ownership for the benefit of local economies.
• Support social, community-owned and co-operative business models, scaling these up with dedicated finance through the Development Bank.