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L'Oreal

Two weeks ago, I appeared on the BBC programme wales@work with Leighton Andrews, the Deputy Minister for Regeneration.

When asked what the government should be doing to support business, I responded by saying that it was vital to continue dialogue with large inward investing companies at a time when they may well be considering restructuring and closure.

Not surprisingly, the Minister was not happy at this comment, said I didn't know what I was talking about and that his officials knew exactly what was going on in the business sector in Wales.

Now, rumours reach me that the Assembly Government knew nothing about the L'Oreal closure until Friday morning, a few hours before the announcement was made by the company.

If that is the case, then serious questions need to asked about whether officials are telling the Minister about what is going on and the extent to which his officials are actually in contact with the 3,500 medium-sized and large firms that employ nearly 40 per cent of the workers in Wales.

More critically, how many more firms will close or shed jobs before the Assembly Government even knows that any of these companies are in trouble?

Comments

Anonymous said…
have you seen the Daily Post today?

"Economic development minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, who is currently leading an intensive inward investment mission in Japan, is being kept informed of developments".

What the hell is he doing over there when our economy is in meltdown? Did the Assembly know about this impending closure? They seem clueless to me.
October 28, 2008 8:44 am
Anonymous said…
Wasting public money as usual. I wonder if he will say when he comes back "what Crisis?"
October 28, 2008 1:49 pm
Anonymous said…
What does leighton andrews know, he is only interested in BT
October 29, 2008 12:44 am
Anonymous said…
the question should be , why don't firms have enough faith in DET and WAG to o to them when they are in trouble.
October 29, 2008 12:49 am
Anonymous said…
I love the photo, you clearly love your look man! Frankly, please get out of your Acadecmic ivory tower... Turku Business School!! ha ha ah
October 29, 2008 10:23 pm
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