17 March 2009

MP and AM encouraged by success of local summit

Torfaen representatives, Lynne Neagle AM and Paul Murphy MP, today stressed the importance of today's Torfaen Economic Summit in Cwmbran.

Paul Murphy MP said,
"I am very grateful to Council leader Bob Wellington and Torfaen Council for taking the initiative to host this economic summit. I was delighted to attend and speak to a packed hall in Cwmbran today. I believe local summits are a vital tool in tackling this recession. It is tremendously important for local people and businesses to get access to the information they need to build up and nourish their skills and be equipped for when the upturn comes."

"People and businesses in Torfaen today had the opportunity to hear about vital schemes available to them from the UK Government, Welsh Assembly Government and Torfaen Council."

"The summit today enabled us to listen to the needs of local people and businesses and learn from one another. I spoke to many positive businesses, from local firms to global leaders, who were optimistic that there are still many opportunities, skills and training options available. We had healthy conversations and discussions, sharing great ideas and incisive suggestions. For local action is essential in addressing these global challenges."

"For anyone who was unable to attend please do get in touch with the one of our offices and we can pass on the invaluable information outlined today."

In her speech, Ms Neagle AM, said that Government needed to balance immediate concerns about job losses, with the need to develop a sustainable economy in the future,

“Although fighting against closures and job losses has to be the immediate priority, I think it is fundamentally important that we are also looking to the medium and long-term, and my personal view is that we need to listen more to the warnings from trade unions and business about the money available to improve education and skills.”

Lynne Neagle, outlined a series of practical measures where the Assembly could help businesses weather the recession – she said times were too serious for platitudes and rhetoric and people wanted facts not flattery.
Speaking after the event, she said,

“In times like these, people want hard facts, not empty rhetoric and I hope we all learned something today about the challenges businesses are facing – but also about the support that might be available from Government. Today’s event was an excellent initiative and I would urge businesses and individuals alike to get in touch with myself, Paul Murphy or the council if they are in doubt about support that might be available.”

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