Assembly committee welcomes EU structural funding proposals
16 February 2012
A National Assembly for Wales report is broadly welcoming the European Commission’s draft legislative proposals for EU Structural Funding, subject to some elements that require further clarification.
An inquiry by the Assembly’s Enterprise and Business Committee concludes the proposals provide a positive framework for economic investment in Wales for 2014-20.
The Committee supports the new emphasis on performance and outcomes, thematic concentration on a limited number of priorities, simplification and streamlining of eligibility rules, integrating activity across different funding streams, the strengthening of partnerships and the scope for community-led local development.
Wales currently receives around £1.9 billion in existing Structural Funds to revive deprived communities but these programmes are scheduled to end in 2013.
Evidence gathered by the Committee suggested that for the next programming round of Structural Funds, West Wales and the Valleys will continue to have Less Developed Region status and East Wales will qualify for support as a More Prosperous Region.
The higher education sector in Wales told the Committee that the next round of Structural Funding must be used to support transformational, long-term economic and social change in Wales towards a high value, knowledge-based economy.
“This Committee congratulates the European Commission on its draft proposals, and we recommend that the Welsh Government do all it can to support and defend the legislative proposals from substantial amendment during the ongoing negotiations at EU level,” said Nick Ramsay AM, Chair of the Enterprise and Business Committee.
“We are urging the Welsh Government to develop an innovation strategy for Wales, in partnership with the higher education and business sectors, which would prioritise investment in skills, research and technological development.”
“We are also calling for the Welsh Government to develop, with its partners, a specific Welsh chapter to the proposed UK Partnership Contract with the European Commission, which would set out the specific needs and priorities of Wales.
“Importantly, we are recommending that the Welsh Government should seek to maximise the potential and flexibility of future Structural Funding to benefit infrastructure projects in Wales.”