MS, Cabinet Secretary for
Economy, Energy and Planning: I am pleased to publish the
Report on the Evaluation
of Welsh Government's Foundational Economy Projects today,
demonstrating the success of the Foundational Economy (FoEc)
projects delivered by the Welsh Government between
2023-2025.
The projects focused on key FoEc sectors in Wales, such as Food,
and Housing and Construction with funding of just over £2m being
allocated.
These are crucial sectors in Wales. There are 18,190 businesses
in the food sector, generating £21,721bn of turnover. Housing and
Construction combined comprise 31,160 businesses, generating
turnover of nearly £24bn.
The more we can nurture these sectors, re-localising supply
chains and building skills, the more money and talent we keep
within Wales and the stronger and more resilient we are. The
projects have demonstrated the effectiveness of targeted economic
and supply chain interventions combined with climate change goals
and show just how much can be achieved, with relatively little
funding, through innovative approaches and collaboration.
The projects helped support the objectives set out in the FoEc
Mission Statement I launched in April of this year. Opportunities
to boost employment and build skills are key aims, and I am
pleased that 1,251 jobs were reported as being created/retained
through the projects. Capability was boosted across all projects
to build resilience and future-proof the sectors, benefitting
communities, public sector organisations and our indigenous
businesses.
Suppliers in the Housing and Construction sectors increased their
retrofit accreditations and electrical and plumbing skills, with
24 SMEs supported to gain PAS2030 certification through NetRet
and 120 young people receiving net zero plumbing and electrical
skills with Cyfle, with 80% having secured apprenticeship or
employment.
Social housing innovation has seen standardised home designs
being agreed, the Tai ar Y Cyd (TAYC) Net Zero housing pattern
launched, and hundreds of new Welsh suppliers uncovered and
upskilled, ensuring Welsh firms can bid for Welsh contracts.
The Food projects have resulted in new, innovative partnerships
between growers, local authorities, health boards and
wholesalers, enabling increased supply of Welsh, sustainable and
seasonal produce, wide-reaching food education and a shift in
food procurement patterns.
The Welsh Veg in Schools project has delivered over 200,000
organic Welsh vegetable portions to schools in seven local
authorities. The Larder Cymru school menu re-designs have seen
Caerphilly Council nearly doubling their spend on Welsh food.
Welsh wholesalers, Castell Howell and Harlech, are reporting
substantial increases in spend on Welsh food.
These are tangible outcomes, making a real difference to the
people, communities and businesses of Wales and I am delighted to
see many of them already scaling up. I hope the experiences
shared in this report and the lessons learned, will help shape
future projects and inspire others to replicate these approaches.
