THE terms on which businesses are handed Welsh Government grants must be reviewed, South Wales East AM Mohammad Asghar has said.

The Conservative AM was speaking after packaging firm Essentra announced in July it was closing a facility in Newport, putting 150 jobs at risk.

In 2015 Essentra was given £400,000 by the Welsh Government.

Speaking in the Senedd on Tuesday, October 3, Mr Asghar said he was calling on economy and infrastructure secretary Ken Skates to review the terms on which grants are made “to ensure the objectives are achieved and the maximum benefit for the taxpayer is obtained.”

Responding, leader of the house Jane Hutt said: “(Mr Skates’) officials are closely engaged when businesses have difficulties, particularly those businesses where we have already supported them in terms of their development.”