News from Welsh Labour

ProAct scheme – “Imitation the best form of flattery” says Wrexham AM

Moves by other parts of the UK to replicate the Welsh Government’s hugely successful ProAct scheme have been welcomed by a Labour Member of the Welsh Assembly.

Wrexham’s AM, Lesley Griffiths, made her remarks in a Question to Welsh First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, in the National Assembly, in which she raised the recent joint-statement by the Federation of Small Business in Scotland and the Scottish Trades Union Congress, which urged the Scottish Government to copy the actions taken by its Welsh counterpart in introducing the ProAct scheme to save Welsh jobs.

ProAct was established by the Welsh Government to help companies avert redundancies during the economic downturn by helping businesses use “quiet time” to develop staff skills ready for the upturn.

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

“Last Sunday, the Federation of Small Business in Scotland and the Scottish Trades Union Congress issued a joint statement calling on the Scottish Government to emulate the best practice demonstrated by the Welsh Assembly Government over the introduction of the ProAct scheme.

“This call follows the UK-wide call by the FSB and the TUC, which held up Wales’s rapid reaction ethos in the current economic situation as a beacon of excellence in Europe. Do you agree with the old adage that imitation is the best form of flattery?”

In his reply, Rhodri Morgan said:

“I do. That is a classic example from the other perspective, where Scotland may well be thinking of borrowing something from us. The ProAct scheme is widely admired, though not yet copied. Northern Ireland, Scotland and England have looked at the scheme as an example of an agile response to the recession, although some will say that they do not have the same access as us to European money.

“On the other hand, what they should do is look at the speed with which it was brought in. It is not only available in areas that receive European funding – it is available across Wales – and it was set up in the space of some two months. Yes, we will borrow from other parts of the UK, and I am sure that they will want to borrow from us.”

Commenting after her Question, Lesley Griffiths said:

“Ever since the Welsh Government launched the ProAct scheme, other parts of the UK have looked closely at its success in saving jobs.

“As recent statements by respected organisations outside of Wales demonstrate, the scheme is now being held up as best practice within Europe, as a way of providing assistance to vulnerable companies and helping them through the current difficulties. In this respect, Wales is leading the way.”

Other news from Welsh Labour

• AM: Time to celebrate a People's History of Wales - 26 February 2010
• AM welcomes safer rail travel in North Wales - 23 February 2010
• Wales Boiler Scrappage Scheme announced - 11 February 2010