How is the Minister ensuring that Welsh Government resources in his department reach rural communities in Wales?
I am committed to a focussed model of economic development - developing the distinctive strengths of our regions, supporting inclusive and sustainable economic growth and maximising opportunities to address regional and local inequalities. To that end, in December 2021 I published the Regional Economic Frameworks for each of the four regions of Wales.
Central to the effective delivery of the Frameworks’ priorities are our City and Growth deals, three-way investment agreements between the Welsh Government, the UK Government and local authorities designed to deliver lasting regional economic growth; all four regional deals are now underway. Last month (January 2022). I was pleased to take part in the signing of the Final Deal Agreement for Mid Wales alongside the UK Government and Ceredigion and Powys local authorities.
Elsewhere, my department works closely with rural local authorities and key stakeholders to ensure that funding opportunities such as the Economic Futures Fund, Economic Resilience Fund and Cultural Recovery Fund are promoted across rural communities. Business Wales and the Development Bank of Wales play an important role in this approach.