The IWA welcomes the Senedd Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee’s report on post-EU regional development funding released today.
Earlier in the year the IWA submitted written evidence to the Committee (which you can read here) and our Policy and External Affairs Manager, Joe Rossiter, was invited to give oral evidence in the Senedd.
We are glad to see a number of our recommendations taken forward and our evidence quoted in the report.
Fundamentally outcomes matter more than process. But we create processes which have the best chance of producing the outcomes we all want to see delivered a successful, resilient and fair economy.
We are particularly glad to see the below key recommendations taken by the Committee. The need for:
- The establishment of a Wales-wide body to support regional coordination in delivering the Shared Prosperity Fund
- Welsh and UK govts to agree a common position on quantum of funding
- A review of which level of funding is delivered by which layer of govt
- Longer term funding periods
- Greater role for Welsh govt
- Move away from competitive bidding process
- Greater integration with existing funding pots
Taken in quantum the report’s recommendations represent a robust intervention into the policy space on post-EU funding in Wales, presenting key steps to take forward for both UK and Welsh Government’s. Crucially the report highlights the need for a need to strengthen the relationship between both governments to ensure that every penny spent in Wales makes a difference to people’s lives.
Fundamentally outcomes matter more than process. But we create processes which have the best chance of producing the outcomes we all want to see delivered a successful, resilient and fair economy.
We look forward to scrutinising how UK and Welsh Government respond to this thorough report.
The IWA will continue to provide evidence-informed interventions into how post-EU funding works for people in Wales. This funding has a crucial role to play in enabling Wales’ economy to face a number of challenges, from tackling regional inequality to delivering vital services on the ground in communities across Wales.
You can read a breakdown of our thoughts in an article published in the welsh agenda online.
Gofod i drafod, dadlau, ac ymchwilio.
Cefnogwch brif felin drafod annibynnol Cymru.