Calls have been made for the effectiveness of Business Wales to be reviewed. This follows the finding by Janet Finch-Saunders, Assembly Member for Aberconwy, and Chairman of the Cross-Party Group on Small Shops, that Business Wales have only assisted with the creation of 77 new enterprises in Aberconwy in 57 months.
Commenting on her finding, Janet said:
“When considering that Business Wales is the Welsh Government’s arm dedicated to supporting businesses, it should be achieving much more.
“Whilst I welcome the fact that 77 new enterprises have been supported in Aberconwy in just over 4 years, for a constituency with around 45,000 registered voters, the Welsh Government should be nurturing even more.
“Disappointingly, this is not the first time I have had to speak out about the need for Business Wales to be more effective in Aberconwy.
“Only last year I found that the First Minister was satisfied with Business Wales having only helped 23% of respondents to my survey, and what turns out to be around 0.3% (853 of 253,600) of businesses in Wales over a 3 year period.
“Business is the back bone of our country.
“The jobs and money created help fund the public services we so heavily rely on, so I am pleased to continue challenging the Minister for Economy and Transport on actions that can be taken to boost business here”.
ENDS
Written Assembly Question by Janet Finch-Saunders AM:
Further to plenary on 4 December 2019, will the Minister state how many of the 740 new enterprises created with assistance from Business Wales are based in Aberconwy?
Response from Ken Skates AM:
In its current phase of delivery, since April 2015, Business Wales has assisted in creating 77 new enterprises in Aberconwy.
Response from Janet Finch-Saunders AM:
Further to WAQ79237 and the fact that Business Wales has only assisted in creating 77 new enterprises in 57 months, will the Minister review the work of Business Wales so to establish how the team could support the founding of even more businesses in Aberconwy?
Notes:
