New business aid map shows Labour has failed Wrexham

3.45.09pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 12th Jul 2006

North Wales AM Eleanor Burnham has slammed the government for failing to secure assistance for businesses in Wrexham for 2007-2013. New maps showing which part of Wales will be able to receive business support from the Assembly government confirm that Wales' largest town will miss out. The "assisted areas" maps are published by the DTI which decides which parts of the UK will qualify.

Mrs Burnham said: "This map shows that the Labour Assembly Government has failed to make a strong enough case for Wrexham to benefit. Just because the West Wales and the Valleys area qualifies automatically for higher levels of aid, Wales cannot afford to be complacent. Wrexham is set to miss out, despite being the main driver of the regional economy here in North Wales.

"WAG needed to battle with DTI for the areas to be included in the map, they have failed Wrexham and the surrounding areas. I welcome the support for Flintshire, but am bemused that Wrexham is excluded.

"Welsh Liberal Democrats will be asking the Assembly's Presiding Officer for an urgent question today on this matter. The Minister must be held to account for this failure before we break up for the summer recess."

Notes:

Today (Wednesday) is the last chance for AM's to question Ministers before the summer recess.

The DTI maps and related information can be seen at

http://www.dti.gov.uk/regional/assisted-areas/assisted-areas-review/page24618.html