Following a constituency wide survey and correspondence with the First Minister, Janet Finch-Saunders, Assembly Member for Aberconwy, and Chair of the Cross-Party Group on Small Shops, has spoken in frustration at the Welsh Government’s refusal to reform Business Wales.

During the financial year of 2017/18 the Member sent a survey to Small and Medium Enterprises across Aberconwy.  The aim of this was to give entrepreneurs an opportunity to express their opinions, and enable the Member to see how the Welsh Government could do more to help them.

The result of the survey can be seen in the attached letter the Member sent to Carwyn Jones AM, First Minister, dated 9 August 2018.

Janet said:

“Having analysed all the survey responses I discovered a number of striking stats, including the fact that only 23% of respondents had received support from Business Wales.

“As I explained to the First Minister in my letter, it is unacceptable that so few businesses have been helped by a body set up with the aim of supporting entrepreneurs.

“With the intention of Business Wales having a more positive impact, I asked for a review of its work. Astonishingly, the First Minister has refused to do this, advising that 853 individuals and businesses have been supported since April 2015.

“It is unbelievable that the First Minister is satisfied with Business Wales having only helped 23% of respondents to my survey, and what turns out to be around 0.3% (853 of 253,600) of businesses in Wales over a 3 year period.

“This really isn’t good enough, and symbolises to me the need not only for a shakeup of Business Wales, but a change of Welsh Government”.

ENDS

Documents:

Letter from the Member to the First Minister (9/08/2018)

Letter from the First Minister to the Member (3/09/2018)

Notes:

There were an estimated 253,600 enterprises active in Wales in 2017