POLITICIANS have expressed anger and disappointment after the Welsh Government announced it would not be proceeding with a job-creating ‘strategic hub’ in the Amman and Gwendraeth Valleys.

Since 2016 the Welsh Government’s Taskforce for the Valleys has worked to identify strategic locations across valley communities in order to create areas of focussed public sector investment which then unlocks private capital, leading to jobs, opportunities and wealth creation across the region.

Having announced 7 hubs in Caerphilly, Neath, Ebbw Vale, Merthyr Tydfil, Cwmbran, Bridgend and Pontypridd, local politicians Adam Price AM and Jonathan Edwards MP made the case for the inclusion of the Amman and Gwendraeth, stating that “valley communities do not stop at Neath”.

As part of Plaid Cymru’s formal budget negotiations with the Welsh Government, and following a series of questions to the Cabinet Secretary and one-to-one meetings, the former Cabinet Secretary Alun Davies AM, confirmed that an additional strategic hub would be located in the Amman/Gwendraeth area.

The election of Mark Drakeford as First Minister saw Lee Waters AM taking over the project.

Mr Waters confirmed there were “no plans” to extend the Valleys Taskforce boundary.

Mr Edwards blasted the u-turn, stating the government in Wales was “showing complete disregard for anywhere west of Swansea.”

Mr Price added: “We now have a situation where a formal budget agreement between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government was made; the rationale examined and the preparations done; but the policy has changed at the whim of a new Labour Minister.

“What makes the decision even more disappointing is that the Minister comes from the Amman Valley. I cannot understand why he is content to pull the rug from underneath the economy of his home town.

“I would urge him to reconsider, and give the Western Valleys the help it needs to help itself.”

In response to an Assembly Question, Mr Waters said: “The Ministerial Taskforce has explored the case and need for additional hubs as part of their work. There are no plans to extend the current Valleys Taskforce boundary or designate any additional hubs. However, we are encouraging organisations to use the strategic hub model as a template for more effective government in other areas across Wales.”

Mr Waters added: "I explained to Adam Price whilst we're not having more hubs I was reviewing the boundaries of the Valleys Taskforce to look at including Amman & Gwendraeth.

"We are going through the process and I am disappointed by the personal remark."