The Federation for Small Businesses (FSB) report urging an immediate review into Welsh Government support for self-employed professionals has gained the support of local AM, Russell George.
This week (Tuesday 24th October) Mr George, who is Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, attended the launch event of the report, entitled “Going Solo: Understanding Self-Employment in Wales.”
Mr George also had the opportunity to question the First Minister on the Welsh Government’s support for young professionals in Mid Wales to become self-employed during weekly First Minister’s Questions.
The ‘Going Solo’ study found that almost one-in-five (18.4%) employed professionals in rural Wales are self-employed and this rises to 23 per cent in Powys.
Speaking outside the Senedd after questioning the First Minister, Mr George said:
“The FSB report finds that the patterns of self-employment in Mid Wales are skewed towards older workers so the Welsh Government must do more to ensure that the barriers which are preventing young people from becoming self-employed are removed.
“A Mid Wales Growth Deal could be one way of ensuring that local solutions are developed to meet the future demands of self-employment in Mid Wales rather than a one-size-fits-all approach which fails to take into account the unique makeup of the Mid Wales economy.
“I was pleased that the First Minister recognised the benefits of a regional approach and that he will urge Business Wales and the Development Bank for Wales to ensure that young people have access to the necessary finance to take the necessary steps to setting up their own business and promoting self-employment.”
Janet Jones, policy chair, FSB in Wales, added:
“The needs of a self-employed person in Newport would clearly differ from those of someone in Mold, and our policy-making needs to reflect this in order to be most effective.
“The FSB called on the Welsh Government to take “decisive action” to address the disparities and varying levels of support required for the self-employed throughout Wales.”