ANGLESEY AID PLAN - KIRSTY WILLIAMS COMMENT

1.20.35pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 19th Oct 2006

Welsh Liberal Democrat Enterprise, Innovation and Networks spokesperson, Kirsty Williams, has called for business leaders to be put at the helm of the Government's plans for the regeneration of Anglesey.

EIN Minister Andrew Davies has today announced the creation of a team of experts to develop an action plan for future economic development in the area, prompted by fears of mass job losses after the planned closure of Wylfa nuclear power station in 2010.

Ms Williams said: "While I welcome the fact that the Government is, for once, taking action before any job losses occur, I am anxious that any plan this new team produces is robust and fit-for-purpose. If the Government is serious in its commitment to attracting new businesses to the area, it must listen to what businesses have to say, not set up a talking shop for civil servants. We would also like to see a special economic zone declared, as was done in Ebbw Vale when they lost a major employer, to allow the possibility of tax breaks for businesses in the area.

"I look forward to hearing more details about the Minister's plans for future economic development for Anglesey. He has rightly identified energy supply as being a key issue, and I would expect decentralised and green energy to be a key part of any discussions on this matter - the huge potential of the Menai Strait for generating tidal electricity, for example, is a natural geographical advantage that cannot be ignored in the context of the emerging green economy."

Notes:

§ Wylfa nuclear power station is due to be decommissioned in 2010. 1,500 people are employed between the station itself and its biggest customer, Anglesey Aluminium.