Edwina Hart’s Enterprise Department has left Welsh business in limbo, it was claimed today, as a series of major decisions have been kicked into the long grass.
Welsh Conservatives have cited the Welsh Labour Government’s rudderless Business, Enterprise, Technology & Science Department and the Minister’s unique management style as reasons for the inertia.
The Minister has complained that her department is beset by ‘internal issues’, which will be a priority for the new head of department, who has still not been appointed.
The Welsh Labour Government is sending out mixed messages on Enterprise Zones, confusion reigns over grants or loans for business support, Techniums are under review, while major decisions on the future of business rates, broadband and the Welsh capital Infrastructure Fund are all pending.
Nick Ramsay AM (pictured), Shadow Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology & Science, said, “The Minister’s in-tray must be overflowing, given the number of decisions, statements and updates she’s kicked into the long grass.
“At a time of economic uncertainty, the last thing the business community needs is a sluggish Economy Department intent on treading water rather than providing swift and efficient responses to the needs of Welsh businesses.
“This is the same Department, which we had been promised was producing a strategy for the manufacturing industry, but four years later it was announced that no such document existed.
“The Minister has yet to decide whether to follow the lead of the UK Government by introducing Enterprise Zones to stimulate the economy and whether to use its Barnett consequential to invest in broadband.
“The Welsh Labour Government’s lethargic approach is leaving Welsh businesses in limbo, creating an insecure climate where it is difficult for businesses to make reliable financial projections.
“The Minister has said she won’t be delegating any decisions to her officials, but she mustn’t let her management style negatively impact on the fragility of the Welsh economic recovery.
“The Minister has been in post for almost three months, but progress on these key issues has been tortuously slow.
“We risk falling further behind because Wales’ global economic competitors will not be hanging around for months waiting for our Minister to act – they’ll be taking the decisions to stimulate economic growth in their countries.”
