Community Benefit Societies

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:44 pm on 7 December 2021.

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Photo of Jack Sargeant Jack Sargeant Labour 1:44, 7 December 2021

I remember the visit with the Prif Weinidog to Buckley in my constituency very fondly. It was an excellent visit some months ago. Last Saturday was Small Business Saturday, as we know, and it's those small businesses, like the butchers in Buckley high street, the hairdressers in Buckley high street and the many other businesses, that keep more money in our communities every single day of the year. And, like my colleague Alun Davies, I recently had a great conversation with the excellent Mark Hooper of Banc Cambria about the types of benefits a community bank can offer to small and medium-sized enterprises. So, I welcome the drive from the First Minister in driving this bold agenda to this stage, where we have secured cross-party support for the establishment of a community bank in Wales, and it will be delivered in Wales. But can I ask the First Minister how can we continue this type of bold agenda where community focus is right at the heart of our bold and radical programme for government?