News from Welsh Labour

“New economic ethos should serve Wales in the future” – Wrexham AM

The Welsh Assembly Government should consider using its all-Wales Economic Summit format, to serve the Welsh economy long after the current downturn has ended, according to one Labour Assembly Member.

Wrexham’s AM, Lesley Griffiths, made her call in a Question to Welsh First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, in the National Assembly.

In her question to the First Minister, Lesley Griffiths AM said:

“Last week, we had an update in the Chamber following the fifth all-Wales economic summit, held on 7th April. The summit addressed contemporary problems with contemporary solutions, on a range of economic issues.

“Do you agree that the overriding reason for the summit series’ success since last October has been the Government’s ability to respond quickly to a rapidly changing economic situation, delivering uniquely Welsh solutions to Welsh problems? Do you also agree that the ethos that has driven this process over recent months should continue long after the Welsh economy is back on its feet?”

In his reply, Rhodri Morgan said:

“Yes. There is an important point there. What has happened, almost by accident, since the economic summits started in October last year, is that a new social partnership model has evolved, in which the leaders of trade unions, businesses, local government, the voluntary sector and other stakeholders have come together with us and the Westminster Government to find a new way of addressing the recession, building a better future for Wales. I believe that there is a lesson there for the future.”

Commenting after her Question, Lesley Griffiths said:

“By common consent, the all-Wales summit series has had a huge impact on cushioning some areas of the Welsh economy over recent months, from the economic ravages felt elsewhere in the UK.

“The new ethos of bringing all the main economic ‘players’ into one room, to thrash out a course of action, was innovative and necessary. I believe this model should be used after the current global economic downturn has ended. It has clearly worked – so let’s use it in the future.”

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