NEWPORT STILL ATTRACTIVE TO BUSINESS - FIRST MINISTER

Newport West AM Rosemary Butler was given assurances by First Minister Carwyn Jones today that Newport is still a place where investment is taking place, despite a report from a firm of leading economic analysts which suggested that Newport is one of the worst affected cities in the UK during the current recession. The Centre for Cities think tank said recently that Newport was near the bottom of the league table when it came to new business start ups and lost private sector jobs. Mrs Butler raised the findings of the report during questions to the First Minister Carwyn Jones.

Rosemary Butler, Newport West: Will the First Minister comment on yesterday's report from the independent think tank "Centre for Cities" which suggests that Newport is one of the UK's biggest victims in the current recession. It's clear that more new businesses and more private sector jobs are needed, as well as a higher level of skills for the local workforce. Will the Welsh Assembly Government make a special effort to make sure that Newport doesn't get left behind once the recession ends?

First Minister: Newport is in quite a favourable position in terms of its geography - its proximity to the M4 and of course the main railway line. Even when we have gone through difficult times, there have been significant investment projects that have been secured in Newport - Admiral Insurance for example, the HSBC insurance services sector, the new power station, the new railway station, the new university campus of course, the city centre and of course Bettws School. So roughly 2,000 jobs have been created across the city between April 2008 and September 2009.It shows that Newport is still very much a place where investment is taking place and very much a place which is attractive for business.

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