Shadow Minister for North Wales – Mark Isherwood MS – has welcomed the signing today (December 17) of the North Wales Growth Deal, which has been given the go-ahead by the Welsh and UK Governments.
The signing means that work can now begin on the five programmes and 14 projects to unlock North Wales’ potential that include the £35 million Morlais renewable energy scheme off the coast of Anglesey, Holyhead Port, and the Llysfasi Carbon Neutral Centre.
The deal with create up to 4,200 new jobs by 2036, support an uplift of £2 billion to 2.4bn for the economy over that same period, and deliver total investment of up to £1.1bn. Both the UK and Welsh Governments have committed £120m apiece to help bring the deal about.
Mr Isherwood said:
“After what has been an undeniably tough year, it’s good to have some really positive news of collaborative working to end it on.
“The North Wales Growth Deal will bring exciting and transformative economic benefits to the region including thousands of well-paid and skilled jobs, and will help unleash the full potential of North Wales.”
ENDS
Notes for editors
Led by North Wales Economic Ambition Board, a collaboration of the region’s six councils, two universities, two colleges and private sector representatives, the programmes will be managed by the Portfolio Office, based at Conwy Business Centre in Llandudno Junction.
Their main objectives are to create up to 4,200 new jobs by 2036, support an uplift of £2bn-2.4bn for the economy over that same period, and deliver total investment of up to £1.1bn.
Among the first projects to get underway are the £35m Morlais renewable energy scheme off the coast of Anglesey, Holyhead Port, and the Llysfasi Carbon Neutral Centre.
Meanwhile, there has been significant North Wales-wide investment in digital connectivity, with key sites – including GP surgeries, hospitals and libraries – benefiting from ultrafast broadband as a result of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Local Full Fibre Network (LFFN) Programme, in partnership with the Ambition Board and Portfolio Office.