§ Huw Irranca-DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with colleagues in the National Assembly of Wales on new business start-ups. [81009]
§ Peter HainI regularly meet with colleagues in the National Assembly for Wales and discuss a range of issues including new business start-ups.
Figures from the Welsh Development Agency show that initiatives launched by the National Assembly for Wales are already producing increases in business start ups in Wales. In the first half of the year more than 2,000 new businesses have been created in Wales with WDA assistance, an increase of over 60 per cent, compared with the same period last year. The new lending body "Finance Wales" has already injected £17.8 million into 72 new or expanding companies, and 2002–03 is a record year for RSA offers in Wales. It should bring in £623 million investment from 270 projects and create or safeguard 13,100 jobs.