Since 2013, the Welsh Government has provided local authorities with £25 million a year to support local bus and community transport services across Wales. Towards the end of 2017-18, we provided an additional £3 million to support the bus network, in addition to other specific grants allocated to support public transport services.

We are moving forward with our ambitious vision to reshape public transport infrastructure and services across Wales, including local bus services, rail services, active travel and the various metro projects that will act as a blueprint for integrated transport across the whole of Wales.

The success of the growth deal will be measured in terms of its transformation of the region’s economy, its ability to leverage private sector investment and its contribution to improving opportunity for people across the region, in line with the well-being of future generations Act and the economic action plan.

Retail is a foundation sector in our economic action plan. We are working across Government to develop an enabling plan for the sector, as the foundation economy is crucial to communities in Wales. In 2018, there were 9,125 enterprises active in the retail sector in Wales, up 8 per cent since 2011.

We are working closely with local authorities in the south-west region to improve the public transport in the area and to plan a modern and integrated transport system through the metro project.