Today, I can reveal the similar discrepancy that exists with regard to business support across Wales. According to a Freedom of Information request made to the Welsh Assembly Government, data has become available regarding the "offers of financial support" that have been offered/committed to businesses across Wales for the period 05/07/2010 - 02/02/2011.
Offers totalling £50.15 million in financial support has been made to 180 companies during this period. However, as with the Pro-Act Funding, nearly half of this has been concentrated in four counties.
Wrexham, once the manufacturing powerhouse of the Welsh economy, has received the lowest amount of financial support, with only two businesses helped by WAG. The Vale of Glamorgan has only been awarded 0.5 per cent of the funding on offer, which has gone to just three companies. More relevantly , businesses in some of the poorest counties - including Anglesey, Blaenau Gwent and Merthyr Tydfil - have received some of the lowest levels of support in Wales.
Is there a pattern emerging here where funding is focused on certain counties in Wales? Certainly, location seems to becoming a key factor if you want to receive any type of government support from the Welsh Assembly Government.
