§ 12. Mr. CatonTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has held with the First Secretary in the National Assembly about the development of new employment opportunities in communities affected by the Corns job cuts in Wales. [531]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyThe Government and the National Assembly for Wales responded quickly to the needs of the steel community with measures of help for steelworkers and their communities affected by Corns decisions. Government-funded measures include on-site job shop centres, as well as access to job vacancies and a job transition scheme, providing intensive advice and help with job search as well as early access to training programmes.
Additionally, the National Assembly for Wales announced a £50 million package of regeneration and training from the Welsh block to help create jobs and regenerate the communities affected by Corns decisions and has set up an executive group of the Wales Steel Task 111W Force to implement schemes. This may also wish to take advantage of the wide-ranging package of measures and operating aids announced in the B fidget to encourage enterprise, tax incentives for urban regeneration and more spending on public services.