Welsh Government must reveal financial support to car-maker

THE Welsh Government must reveal details of the financial support it gave to Aston Martin in a bid to attract it to invest in Wales following a ruling by the Information Commissioner.

Last year the luxury car-maker announced it would be moving to St Athan to build its new DBX crossover model, creating 750 jobs. But the Welsh Government refused to reveal how much money it would be providing the company.

Businessman Tom Gallard lodged a request under the Freedom of Information Act, asking the Welsh Government to provide details of the financial support agreed with Aston Martin. The Welsh Government refused, saying disclosing the sum would prejudice commercial interests.

Mr Gallard appealed against the decision, arguing that there was a public interest in knowing how “large amounts of taxpayers’ money is spent”.But the Welsh Government countered that releasing the information could affect its ability to get value for money in negotiations with other businesses.

In her ruling, Ms Denham said the Welsh Government had not provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate that disclosure would “adversely affect its ability to negotiate the best possible commercial deal on future projects”.

She pointed out that the Welsh Government had published information about financial support given to other companies in the past.”

Ms Denham also rejected as unreasonable the Welsh Government’s argument that releasing the information would prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs.

The Information Commissioner has given ministers 35 days to provide her with the information. The Welsh Government has the right to appeal. A spokesman said: “We note the Information Commissioner’s decision and we are considering our next steps.”