Government should back Euro-funding plans - Mark Williams (Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen Liberal Democrats)

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Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen Liberal Democrats <Brian.Thomas@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk>

Government should back Euro-funding plans - Mark Williams

December 1, 2008 12:00 AM
Originally published by Welsh Liberal Democrats

Ceredigion's Welsh Liberal Democrat MP Mark Williams has today called on the Government to support European Commission President José Manuel Barroso's EU-wide Recovery Plan, which would allow Convergence funding to be brought forward.

The proposals would allow the West Wales and the Valleys Convergence region to receive part of the aid budget, worth an estimated £1.4 billion, earlier than planned to allow work on projects to start earlier to boost the economy. The plans may also allow for match funding requirements, which have delayed some projects, to be relaxed, as long as the principle of co-financing is upheld. The Government have already announced that they are planning to bring £3 billion worth of capital investment in an attempt to stimulate the economy, and have encouraged the Assembly Government to do the same with £140 million that can be brought forward in their budget. Commenting, Mark Williams said: "The Government have brought forward some of their own spending plans in an attempt to boost the economy, so I would hope they would be supportive of attempts by the EU to do the same thing. "West Wales is already suffering from the effects of the recession, but by bringing forward some Convergence Funding projects we could receive a timely boost. This of course does not mean extra money, but it does mean spending the money we have at a time when its effect will be greater. "We need to look at every possible measure to help the Welsh economy through these tough times, and I hope that the Government will support these efforts. "I have written to the Westminster Government asking them to back this plan, and I have also written to the Assembly Government asking that they give their backing and that they use their influence with the Government in London to ensure that this offer is taken up." ENDS