Part of 2. 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure – in the Senedd at 1:38 pm on 25 January 2017.
Thank you for that, because, as you will recognise, developing and growing a business in today’s climate is harder than ever and there are a number of issues that business owners cite as barriers to growth for their businesses—lack of structured borrowing and capital from the banking sector is one. However, many talk about the barriers from local authorities and other public sector organisations, ranging from Natural Resources Wales to transport infrastructure. Planning is key, and I recognise that both you and the Cabinet Secretary for finance don’t have responsibility for that. But what I’m really trying to elucidate is a sense that there is a coherent strategy around the Cabinet table that encourages and empowers businesses to thrive. The economy is our lifeblood. What else do you think, Cabinet Secretary, could be done to ensure that untimely delays, a lack of vision and disjointed thinking in public services doesn’t impede the growth of our economic health?