New Approach To Support Valleys Investment Announced
Creating jobs and improving people’s quality of life in the South Wales Valleys will be the focus of a new taskforce to be set up by the Welsh Government.
Minister for Lifelong Learning and Welsh Language Alun Davies outlined how the group will work across Government to meet the valleys’ future needs for education, health and economic development.
It will have representatives from the private and public sector to help the most disadvantaged areas of the valleys, and ensure every individual has the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
Alun Davies, who will chair the taskforce said:
“The South Wales Valleys have a strong and proud history. But the closure of the ironworks, steelworks and pits has had a long and lasting impact on our valleys communities. We want a new approach to investing in the future of our valleys, which will engage and empower local communities and restore a sense of hope and aspiration.
“Although we have made important progress in Wales to reduce unemployment and the number of people living in workless households, parts of the valleys continue to have high levels of economic inactivity and unemployment. This must change.
“We have already seen significant structural investment in the valleys and the taskforce will build on this foundation, working with people there, local businesses, local government, the third sector and civic organisations to promote the valleys as a region for investment and a place to live.”
The taskforce will work closely with both the Cardiff Capital City Region and Swansea Bay City Region programmes and will seek to harness potential of new initiatives such as the Metro and the valleys’ unique and diverse landscape as a tourism destination.
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