Hundreds of jobs are set to be created in Neath Port Talbot, the UK Government has announced. Two former coalfield areas in the county will receive a share of millions of pounds of funding to construct new industrial developments for business.
The UK Government said this will create "hundreds" of new jobs, as well as supporting hundreds more. It's hoped the money will help entrepreneurs who want to start their own company or expand in their hometown, rather than feeling forced to a bigger town or city with a stronger local economy.
Seven Sisters and Resolven in Neath Port Talbot are two of the six places set to receive a share of the £13.5m in funding which has been announced by the Government. Half will come from the Government's £240 million growth fund announced last year while the other half will come from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, a charity seeking to create jobs in former mining communities.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: "These areas have been overlooked for decades, haemorrhaging talent with ingrained decline. Our investment in new industrial developments is one way we're making it a stronger business destination where jobs and opportunity are created, not wasted."
Subject to approval of the final business cases, the two areas in Wales set to receive funding are:
- Vale of Neath business park in Resolven, where a 30,000 square foot development is proposed once the site is purchased, also expected later this summer, subject to planning permission.
- Nant y Cafn business park in Seven Sisters, where a 45,000 square foot development is proposed once the site is purchased, also expected later this summer, and once planning permission secured.
Welsh Labour MP for Neath and Swansea East, Carolyn Harris, said: "Today's investment will provide support to businesses and workers in our coalfield communities across Wales, that over a decade of Tory austerity and inactivity in these areas long denied them. This is another example of the UK Labour Government delivering jobs and economic growth across Wales, ensuring people can access good quality jobs where they are, rather than having to look further afield."
Welsh secretary Jo Stevens added: "As a result of this investment, people and businesses in former south Wales coalfield communities will receive greater access to the jobs and opportunities they deserve. For too long, these communities have been left behind - with many people having been forced to leave their local areas to seek employment elsewhere. The UK Government is acting to stop this cycle, by delivering jobs, prosperity, and growth right across Wales. We are backing our coalfield communities with the support they need, helping local businesses thrive, and ensuring our coalfield communities reap the benefit of a strengthened and fairer UK economy."
The investment follows further spending from the previous Welsh Labour Government on former coalfield areas. Over the previous Senedd term, £100m in funding was confirmed to secure the safety of more than 130 coal tip sites across Wales.
