Minister for Finance and Government Business Jane Hutt has outlined how the Wales Infrastructure Investment Plan has supported infrastructure priorities across Wales
The Minister, speaking at a Regeneration Skills Collective Wales seminar, set out how, since the publication of the WIIP in 2012, and through a mix of additional capital allocations and innovative finance initiatives, the Welsh Government has delivered around £3.6bn of new investment in the Welsh economy and public services, which has helped to contribute to the 6,800 construction jobs for 2015, forecast by the CITB last week.
She said: “We remain determined to maximise the opportunities and benefits that infrastructure investments provide – enabling sustained economic growth and creating new jobs. The OECD has been clear – investment in infrastructure, alongside skills is one of the most important factors in driving economic growth and helping people to access employment.”
“Against a backdrop of severe cuts to our capital budget, amounting in real terms to 30 per cent since 2009-10, we have sought to continue an ‘economic stimulus’ approach to infrastructure development. Through the Wales Infrastructure Investment Plan we are continuing to focus our limited resources on key strategic priorities and deliver the much needed stimulus through infrastructure investment."
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