Will the Minister provide further information regarding the Welsh Government's backing local firms fund and how it will benefit town centres in the Rhondda, given the vital role local businesses will play as part of the post-COVID recovery?
We will build on our approach to the Foundational Economy via the Backing Local Firms Fund, to support local businesses in overcoming barriers to winning public contracts.
In Rhondda Cynon Taf, the Foundational Economy Challenge Fund has provided £99k and involved local businesses in projects such as that delivered by Practice Solutions, which provided expert support to assist micro and small businesses to engage in public procurement.
Our Economic Resilience Fund has also supported 754 businesses, safeguarding jobs 3,471 to date, not including the latest round of funding. Development of the Backing Local Firms Fund will enable this support to continue.