Mid Wales Growth Deal takes step forward

The Montgomeryshire Assembly Member was pleased to chair a meeting at NPTC in Newtown at which local business leaders and representatives were invited to meet with the Parliamentary Under Secretary for Wales, Lord Nick Bourne, to discuss ideas on how a potential Mid Wales Growth Deal could work in practice, providing important local input into ongoing discussions.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr George said: “I was pleased that Lord Bourne took the time to meet with local business leaders and representatives to allow them to feed in to ongoing discussions on a Mid Wales Growth Deal which has the opportunity to transform the Mid Wales economy.

“It’s important that any Growth Deal works for local business, so consultation meetings like this provide invaluable input to ensure that we get it absolutely right.

"It is still essential for the region to make a strong case for a Growth Deal to both the UK and Welsh Governments to persuade them of the benefits which a regional deal could have for Mid Wales. I am therefore looking forward to hosting a Growing Mid Wales Trade Delegation at the Senedd at the end of January to continue to make the case for Mid Wales.

"New regional deals in Cardiff, Swansea and North Wales will deliver billions of pounds worth of investment and will see better transport links, better broadband connectivity and other programmes to boost innovation, create employment and raise living standards.

"I firmly believe that Mid Wales deserves the same kind of investment to transform our economic fortunes and integrate Mid Wales into the wider Midlands economic engine.”

UK Government Minister, Lord Bourne added: “Now more than ever it is imperative that we shift powers away from London and Cardiff to local leaders who are best placed to take decisions that affect their communities. That is why I am committed to working closely with the companies and groups who are devoted to developing a vision for the region’s economic future.

“With the launch of the modern Industrial Strategy, the UK Government is working to create the right conditions for regional prosperity, but it is the private sector that must take the necessary risks to drive this vision for economic growth in mid-Wales forward.

"I was pleased to meet business leaders in Newtown, and I would like to thank Russell George for hosting this event."