Skates welcomes funding boost for disadvantaged areas

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates has welcomed Welsh Government funding of more than £30m to help people in some of the country’s most disadvantaged areas.

The £31.7m boost was announced recently as part of the Communities First programme and will benefit areas close to Llangollen.

Labour Assembly Member Mr Skates, a member of the Welsh Government, said: “This investment will benefit 52 areas, known as ‘clusters’, and support some of the most vulnerable people in Wales by combating poverty and promoting education, health and economic prosperity.

“These areas will benefit from the funding between April 2015 and March 2016. The announcement includes £1.25m being split between two clusters in the Wrexham County Borough Council area.

“As well as the Caia Park/Hightown patch in my colleague Lesley Griffiths AM’s constituency, the Urban Villages Wrexham cluster in – which includes Pant, Penycae, Plas Madoc, Gwenfro and areas of Brymbo and Cefn Mawr – will also benefit from further Welsh Government support.

“The funding is another boost from the Welsh Government for its work to support Wales’ most vulnerable communities and narrow the economic, education and health gaps between our most deprived and affluent areas.”