Written Assembly Questions tabled on 25 October 2016 for answer on 1 November 2016
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Written Questions must be tabled at least five working days before they are to be answered. In practice, Ministers aim to answer within seven/eight days but are not bound to do so. Answers are published in the language in which they are provided, with a translation into English of responses provided in Welsh.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister provide an update on the progress of the Haven enterprise Zone including the number of jobs created? (WAQ71326)
Answer received on 1 November 2016
The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (Ken Skates): Since the Zone was created we have seen significant progress. For example, an SME Business Interaction Group has been established, setting out a programme of work to support businesses to increase their capacity and capability to win new contracts. 145 attendees benefitted from a programme of seven events and workshops last year. We are also taking forward transport improvements. For example, improvements to the A477, part of the Trans European Road Network, were completed in April 2014, significantly improving road access to and from the Zone, with positive benefits for the local population and business. Over 90% of premises within the Haven Waterway Enterprise Zone are now able to order Superfast Broadband and the roll out is continuing. Since its launch, 65 businesses in the Haven Waterway Enterprise Zone have benefitted from more than £2 million of financial support from the Enterprise Zone Business Rates Scheme.
In terms of jobs created, from inception to March 2014, 208 jobs were created either through direct financial support or through wider assistance from the Welsh Government, with a further 29 safeguarded. In 2014/15 a further 49.5 jobs were created either through direct financial support or through wider assistance from the Welsh Government, with a further 203.5 safeguarded. During the 2015/16 financial year, 123 jobs were created as a result of direct financial support or wider assistance with a further 276 safeguarded.