‘Growth deal would stop mid Wales being left behind’
Agrowth deal for mid Wales would “complete the jigsaw” for funding in the country and stop the region from being left behind, according to a National Assembly committee.
The committee believes the region needs the same sort of investment funding and advantages that come with city region deals in other parts of Wales.
The Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee has been examining the potential of deals covering Swansea Bay and Cardiff, each worth more than £1bn in funding over the next 10-15 years.
There are plans for a similar arrangement in north Wales.
The deals between Welsh Government, UK Government, local authorities and private investment will see money ploughed into better transport, internet connectivity, business development and innovation, as well as other programmes aimed at providing jobs and raising living standards.
But the committee found that, while a partnership body has been established charged with identifying themes and investment priorities, there are currently no plans for a similar deal covering mid Wales. Local authorities and business leaders in the area told the committee they felt left behind and ignored.
“These new regional deals, worth billions of pounds, are re-shaping the economic development priorities of south Wales, and have the potential to do the same for the rest of Wales,” said Russell George AM, chair of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee.
“A mid Wales deal would complete the jigsaw for an ambitious vision. We believe that funding aimed at improving transport infrastructure, digital connectivity and developing new job opportunities would be of huge benefit both to the area and to the country as a whole.
“We also want to see the benefits of these deals reach the most disadvantaged in their areas.
“It is heartening to see that leaders of the deals are mindful of these issues, but it is not clear whether that will be enough to ensure that deals can avoid the creation of winners and losers.”
The committee makes 11 recommendations in its report – one of them is a growth deal for mid Wales. The report calls on the Welsh Government and the Growing Mid Wales Partnership to engage with a wide cross section of communities between the Valleys and the A55 corridor, and along Wales’ west coast, to decide what practical measures should be included.
They also say the Welsh Government should put a duty on regional bodies to promote economic development/inclusive growth, with discretion to spend a substantial amount of funding whether from Welsh Government, or raised within the region.
Commenting on the report, Janet Jones, FSB Wales policy chair, said: “FSB Wales supports the EIS Committee’s view that there should be a growth deal for mid Wales. A growth deal for mid Wales is something that FSB Wales has been trying to work towards for some time.
“Mid Wales is home to a dynamic SME community – as a business owner in Talgarth this is something that I am proud to be a part of.
“Recent FSB research shows that mid Wales has the highest proportion of the workforce in self-employment of anywhere in Wales. We have been very clear as the Cardiff, Swansea and north Wales deals are negotiated, SMEs (which make up 99.3% of Welsh businesses) should be given as much access as possible the benefits accruing from any deal.
“Our members in mid Wales tell us that any growth deal would have to include establishing and improving upon the building blocks of a growing economy. Transport infrastructure and digital connectivity are just two of the issues raised by our members time and time again.
“We welcome the call for a mid Wales growth deal and look forward to engaging with stakeholders to work towards this becoming a reality for business in mid Wales.”
The report will be sent to the Welsh Government for consideration.