Part of 1. 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:01 pm on 10 October 2017.
Last week, I asked for a statement on whether the Welsh Government had plans to review the terms and conditions on which grants in Wales were made to businesses, following the job losses at Newsquest and the threat to jobs at Essentra in Newport. Both companies have received grant aid from the Welsh Government. Since then, it has emerged that of the £320 million spent on business support since 2010, less than a quarter was classed as a repayable grant or a commercial loan. And, less than 2 per cent has been repaid. Does the First Minister agree that there is an urgent need to review his Government’s policy with regard to grant aid to businesses to ensure that their objectives are achieved and the maximum benefit to the taxpayer is obtained in the whole of Wales?