The project, which is being backed by £1.3m from the European Regional Development Fund, is part of a wider masterplan for mixed use regeneration of the Ty Du site and will look to develop units suitable for a range of business needs. The new units are expected to be completed by autumn 2020.

Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport, Lee Waters said:

“Today’s announcement is good news for Nelson and the region more widely.

Through genuine collaboration between Welsh and Local Government, this substantial site will be given the facilities needed to deliver on its economic potential and provide the infrastructure and services needed to attract businesses and jobs to the area.

Sought after business units of this kind form an important element of our Valleys Taskforce, which looks to keep, attract and nurture jobs and prosperity in the wider Valleys region. Alongside my focus in supporting and growing the foundational economy, keeping supply chains local, and facilitating better jobs closer to home – it’s an important part of a necessary multi-faceted approach to tackling the issues of the past and securing lasting economic change”.

Deputy Leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economy, Cllr Sean Morgan said:

“The Ty Du site in Nelson has been earmarked for industrial development for many years, so the news that this regeneration scheme is taking a significant step forward is very good news indeed for the area. The development will bring high quality business units and new homes to this key strategic site, which is well connected to local infrastructure.

This announcement is yet another vote of confidence in Caerphilly county borough as being a great place to do business”.

In the last decade, EU-funded projects have created 45,000 new jobs and 13,000 new businesses across Wales, while also helping more than 85,000 people into employment.

“Our food and drink industry is world renowned and a real Welsh success story.  We know people increasingly want to find out more about where their food is from and want to buy Welsh as seen in the figures published today.

“In only 29 days’ time, we face the prospect of a disorderly exit from the European Union.  With the current economic uncertainty created by the turmoil in Westminster it is more important than ever to build on the sector’s success and seize every opportunity available to showcase our quality Welsh food and drink at home and on a global stage.

“Already this year, we have been working with the industry to promote Welsh food and drink abroad at Gulfood in Dubai – the world’s largest annual food trade fair.  At the end of the month, the Celtic Manor will once again play host to our biannual TasteWales. Events such as these have helped support the spectacular growth in the sector and are invaluable especially at this challenging time.

“Working with the sector, we must promote the Welsh brand as much as possible and do all we can to ensure our food and drink producers are able to thrive post-Brexit.”

“It has become something of a tradition showcasing the very best of Welsh food and drink at London Paddington station on St David’s Day. This year commuters at Manchester Piccadilly will also be able to join the celebrations and sample a range of award winning products from Welsh Whisky, Black Bomber cheese, Bara Brith – and even take away some edible chocolate postcards. I look forward to visiting today and speaking to some of the producers to hear how events such as this are helping their businesses grow.”

“We’re delighted to be representing our home country in London this week, in celebration of St David’s Day. There is a thriving new wave of Welsh fare and this is a great opportunity for producers from the region to access a new audience and marketplace, which in turn may lead to even greater future possibilities for the sector. 

“Furthermore, with Brexit approaching, we need to continue being ambitious for Wales, creating a strong and vibrant economy, long-term. With Wales’ reputation and provenance, we have a strong platform for further growth that will benefit everyone.”

Julie James said: 

“A number of Care & Repair agencies are working with NHS Wales to deliver a winter pressures pilot, which will see a Care & Repair case worker joining hospital ward rounds to identify patients who could benefit from home adaptations and create rapid solutions. 

“This extra funding will enable Care & Repair agencies to support people to leave hospital and return to a safe home. Care & Repair agencies deliver a range of small adaptations to a person’s home which can help to reduce pressure on our hospital services.  

“These could include levelling concrete floors or repairing stairs, installing hand rails or telephone extensions – whatever might help prevent falls and maintain a person’s independence in their own home.

“The right housing can help people to maintain their independence and provide the right environment for people leaving hospital – reducing delays in discharging patients. This can relieve pressure on emergency departments, which is particularly important during the winter months to alleviate pressure on the NHS while also helping people to live for longer in their own homes.”

Chris Jones, Chief Executive of Care & Repair Cymru said:

“We are absolutely delighted with this additional funding from Welsh Government, which will help us carry out home improvements and adaptations which support older people to be discharged from hospital more quickly. Our Hospital to Home service enables us to speak to patients and hospital staff earlier about whether a patient’s home is safe, warm and accessible, and where improvements and adaptations are needed, to plan these quicker so that discharge from hospital isn’t delayed by an inappropriate home to return to.

“You could say that we are the property doctor for the NHS. Once a patient is medically fit to leave hospital, we make sure that the place they go home to is also fit for them to live in and provide additional support once they are at home which reduces the chances of them being re-admitted to hospital”.

The minister was speaking during the first day of her first overseas visit as Wales’ first ever International Relations Minister. 

It’s also the first time a Welsh Government minister has visited the World Bank in the USA’s capital city. 

During a keynote speech, the minister set out the way that the Welsh Government is ensuring that when making policy there is an understanding that most aspects of life interact with each other. There is no point in focusing just on what happens in the classroom if the child has not eaten or goes home to a cold home.

The unique Welsh law – the Well-being of Future Generations Act, is a pioneering legislative initiative designed to ensure that all parts of government and wider Welsh society also act in ways that promote the long term benefits of Welsh citizens.

The minister said:

“I strongly believe that Wales has a unique story to tell. 

“In 1999 Wales became one of the first nations in the world to put sustainable development at the heart of its constitution, and the World’s First Fair Trade Nation. 

“Through the introduction of the Well-being of Future Generations Act, we’ve introduced a law which is designed to ensure all parts of Wales act in ways that will ensure the promotion of the long term benefits for generations to come. This is, I believe, the most ambitious and far-reaching piece of legislation that the Welsh Government has ever delivered.

“As the world is calling out for ways to localize and strengthen progress at a more local level, I believe Wales can provide a blueprint for others to follow.”

This year’s plan focuses on developing our approach to taxation in Wales – exploring the scope for continued improvement to tax administration, while further strengthening the links between tax and policy areas, and ensuring taxes remain fair throughout this process.

Some of the highlights of the 2019 work plan are:

• Developing tax policy – we will develop our proposals to build the Welsh tax base, while continuing to make the case for devolution of air passenger duty to Wales, taking forward our consideration of land and property taxation, and continuing to work with the UK government on disposable taxes and other environmental taxes. We will also explore further the funding options for social care in the future, progress our plans to devolve powers for a vacant land tax to Wales, and develop our thinking on a tourism tax.
• Building a coordinated approach to tax policy – ensuring Welsh taxes are working effectively is a key priority in 2019. Following the successful introduction of land transaction tax and landfill disposals tax last year, and with Welsh rates of income tax going live on 6 April, we will continue to work closely with the Welsh Revenue Authority and HMRC. As part of our coordinated approach we will also consider options for developing information resources, including data sharing and analysis to strengthen the evidence base for tax policy decisions and improved tax administration in Wales.
• Engaging, communicating and capacity building – continuing to build on our open and transparent tax policy making process remains a key priority. We will develop a long-term plan to build capacity on tax policy and administration, and work with the UK and other devolved governments to share best practice and address common challenges. We want to help Welsh taxpayers understand our approach to taxation and be clear how their taxes are supporting public services in Wales.

Minister for Finance and Trefnydd said:

“Our annual tax policy work plan is an important part of the communication process, building on what we have achieved and learned so far and identifying areas we want to explore further.

“I am committed to ensuring our tax policy is developed in an open and transparent manner and this plan is an invitation to anyone who wishes to contribute to our thinking, and help shape Welsh tax policy.”

The Welsh Government’s tax policy is being developed in line with the principles set out in our Tax Policy Framework. A report summarising the main findings will be published alongside the draft Budget in the autumn.

Tax policy work plan 2019