Ben Francis, FSB Wales Policy Chair, has congratulated the new First Minister Designate, Baroness Eluned Morgan MS, on her election as the Senedd’s nominee to become the new First Minister of Wales and Wales’ first female leader.
FSB have called on the First Minister Designate to seize this opportunity to re-set the Welsh Government’s relationship with Welsh businesses following a prolonged period of navigating difficult economic headwinds.
FSB has asserted that the Welsh Government can send a clear signal that they will work in partnership with businesses in re-growing the Welsh economy by establishing a New Deal for Business Group, building on the model adopted in Scotland.
The New Deal for Business Group would provide a vehicle for government and businesses to work together in the spirit of shared responsibility to secure sustainable economic growth, accelerate to Net Zero and better understand regulatory impacts on businesses.
Ben Francis has also welcomed the work that Baroness Eluned Morgan MS has previously undertaken on supporting small businesses in the rural economy and urged the First Minister Designate to build a constructive partnership between the Welsh and UK governments to ensure that Wales has a distinctive voice within the UK Government’s Growth Mission.
Ben Francis, FSB Wales Policy Chair, said:
“On behalf of FSB Wales, I congratulate Baroness Eluned Morgan MS on her election as the Senedd’s nominee to become the new First Minister of Wales and Wales’ first female leader.
“The First Minister Designate’s clear focus on prioritising the Welsh economy in order to spread prosperity is a positive signal that will be welcomed by businesses.
“At a time of slowly-improving economic conditions, the First Minister Designate has an opportunity to re-set the Welsh Government's relationship with businesses by establishing a New Deal for Business Group. This is an opportunity to win back confidence and to show a commitment to working in partnership on the mission of rebuilding the Welsh economy and aligning Welsh Government’s available levers to this goal.
“This will also require a new, and more effective partnership between the UK and Welsh governments. Challenging relationships alongside duplicated and disjointed decision making to-date has done nothing to build business and investor confidence. Growth should be a shared mission, recognising and utilising the strengths, of UK, Welsh and Local Government decision makers.
“Despite some improvement, Welsh businesses are still facing challenging economic conditions. That is why it is vital that we enable small businesses to thrive, because when they do, they create jobs, spread prosperity and keep our communities vibrant.”
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