Labour ignores Swansea and Newport on Enterprise Zones: Eluned Parrott AM (Clwyd West Liberal Democrats)

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Clwyd West Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Labour ignores Swansea and Newport on Enterprise Zones: Eluned Parrott AM

January 31, 2012 3:03 PM
Originally published by Welsh Liberal Democrats

Only 2 new zones - Trawsfynydd in Gwynedd (Energy, Environment and ICT) and the Haven Waterway in Pembrokeshire (subject to confirmation with the UK Government) have been added to the previous list of enterprise zones in Anglesey, Ebbw Vale, Deeside, St Athan and Cardiff.

The Welsh Government will also pursue something short of an Enterprise Zone in Powys around Newtown, Llandrindod Wells and Brecon.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Enterprise and Business Minister Eluned Parrott AM said "it is truly astonishing that both Swansea and Newport have been rejected by Labour and left without enterprise zones.

"It is a slap in the face for Newport as the city needs protection from enterprise zones across the border in Hereford and Bristol, which are not bound by subject specific criteria. The Minister seems to think that Newport Council has done such a good job that they don't need any help.[1]

"Swansea has the potential to put Wales at the forefront of Science Research and Development and has been ignored by Labour's Gower based Assembly Member.

"It is an incredible move to ignore the needs of two of our major cities when people across Wales will soon decide on who is best to represent them locally.

South Wales West AM Peter Black said "Swansea has a strong pair of universities that could have been given an enormous boost by Labour but they have chosen not to build on advantages that Swansea Council and the Swansea universities have worked hard to achieve."

[1] 18^th January, 2012 http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-chamber-fourth-assembly-rop.htm?act=dis&id=229596&ds=1/2012

Edwina Hart: Newport is ideally located in many ways. When people look across the border for investment purposes, Newport has the necessary infrastructure in key areas. We very much welcome the decision by Admiral to bring jobs to Newport city centre, so Newport is doing quite well by itself. The challenge for Government is to ensure that prosperity reaches further west and north, and particularly to the north-west. That is also a consideration for me in decisions on enterprise zones and further initiatives.