Finance Minister highlights progress of investment plans for new EU funds

Finance Minister for the Welsh Government Jane Hutt reinforced on October 2013 the importance of EU funds and outlined progress being made in preparing for a further £2bn to boost the economy and labour market in Wales.

Wales’ EU investment priorities for the 2014-2020 European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programmes are: Research and Innovation; SME Competitiveness; Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency; and Strategic Infrastructure. European Social Fund (ESF) priorities are Skills for Growth; and Youth Employment. Tackling Poverty will also be introduced as a priority and addressed by supporting people into sustainable employment across Wales.

The detailed operational programmes for the Structural Funds are expected to be submitted to the European Commission in the autumn of 2013 so the new programmes can begin in early 2014.

• Primary Source

WEFO: Programmes: Development of European programmes 2014-2020 http://wefo.wales.gov.uk/programmes/post2013/?lang=en

Welsh Government: Consultations: Closed: Wales and the EU: Partnership for Jobs and Growth - European Structural Funds 2014-2020 http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/businessandeconomy/130114walesandtheeu/?skip=1&lang=en

Welsh Government: Press Release, 26.06.13: Wales’ regional EU funding deal announced http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/international/2013/7567133/?lang=en

Welsh Government: Press Release, 13.06.13: EU funds vital to the Welsh economy says Finance Minister http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/international/2013/130613brussels/?lang=en

Welsh Government: Press Release, 14.05.13: Finance Minister says future EU funds will deliver long-term economic impact http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/international/2013/130514eu/?lang=en

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