New Assembly Group to Focus on Industrial Community Challenges

Vikki Howells AM has been elected as the Chair of a new Assembly Cross-Party Group set up to focus on the challenges and opportunities facing communities in industrial Wales.

The Cross-Party Group on Industrial Communities will consider solutions that improve economic and social well-being in industrial and former industrial parts of Wales, by influencing the Welsh Government and sharing research and best practice with similar groups in other parts of the UK.

At the meeting, which heard from David Parry, Senior Policy Officer at the Industrial Communities Alliance on why the UK needs a new industrial strategy to promote a more prosperous country, the Cynon Valley AM was elected as Chair of the new body.

Vikki Howells AM said:-

“I am delighted to have been elected to Chair this important new Cross-Party Group, which will discuss the challenges faced by constituencies such as Cynon Valley, which formerly relied on heavy industry.

“Importantly, the Group will also provide a forum for the answers to these questions.

“We have already heard how we need to rebalance the UK economy and improve our industrial base, and I am confident we will have a real input into policy making in the future.”

In picture: back left to right Cllr Graham Thomas (RCT Council), Alex Bevan (Wales TUC), Steffan Lewis AM, Suzy Davies AM, Peter Slater (Industrial Communities Alliance), front left to right David Parry (Industrial Communities Alliance), Vikki Howells AM, Cllr Jane Ward (RCT Council/Industrial Communities Alliance).