First Minister Welcomes Structural Funds Announcement

The First Minister has welcomed today’s structural funds announcement from the UK Government. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I welcome the Chancellor’s confirmation that the Treasury will provide a full lifetime guarantee for all structural and investment projects approved before the UK leaves the EU. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I have been calling for this guarantee since the referendum result in June. It is the only correct and logical decision, allowing continuity for Welsh communities, businesses and investors while arrangements are made for the longer term. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“EU funds are an important source of investment for Wales and we will continue to make the most of every penny we receive from Europe. We will also make a strong and positive case for Wales to get its fair share of funding after the UK exits the EU, as promised in the referendum campaign. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The Treasury has confirmed that, in keeping with the devolution settlement, it will be for the Welsh Government to continue to determine how EU funds are spent in Wales, in line with our priorities.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​