3. How is the Welsh Government encouraging the recovery of rural towns in Mid and West Wales? OQ57126

Well, may I thank Cefin Campbell for that question, Llywydd? The Welsh Government takes a strength-based approach to the recovery of towns in mid and west Wales. Working with local authorities, third sector organisations and others, we look to shape a future based on the many assets that these communities already possess. 

Thank you very for that response, First Minister, and I'm sure you would agree that the impact of COVID-19 and Brexit has been very damaging for our rural towns. What we see is a picture of decline in our main market towns across the region: shops, banks, pubs and post offices all closing; our town centres being empty and the footfall falling; public services cut and a number of areas having difficulty in recruiting GPs and dentists. With the emphasis on us to use private vehicles less, the use of public transport in and out of these towns is more of a lottery than it is of a service. Our young people are leaving our rural areas, and a recent survey suggested that they were very pessimistic about finding jobs in their localities. So, traditionally, our rural towns have made an important contribution in job creation, the provision of services and being centres for business, shopping and so on and so forth. And the phosphates review is also a cause of great concern. So, what are the Government's plans in terms of regenerating our rural towns, and are you willing to give this priority during the next few years?

Well, Llywydd, we do give priority to supporting rural towns to overcome the impact of coronavirus and face the challenges that are to come. We use a number of the powers that we already have. There is funding available through the LEADER programme, and that invests in rural towns—Llanybydder is the latest one to use the funding available through the LEADER programme. And through the RDP, £10 million is being invested in the economy of rural areas. And also, there are a great number of possibilities coming from the Transforming Towns programme, for example. We are working with Carmarthenshire County Council, although I know the Member is very well aware of what's happening in Carmarthenshire with the 10 Towns initiative. And we have put money into programmes in Ceredigion and in Llandeilo, for example, to create new possibilities in the centre of those towns, to attract businesses in and to give people more shopping options and so on. And so, those are just a few examples of what we want to do in collaboration and in partnership with others who reside in the rural areas. On the whole, I am confident that there will be a successful future for the towns that are so important to those people who reside in those areas.