---

Work Programme (Wales)

I am grateful for that question because I can nail it once and for all. It could not have happened before then because local government reorganisation had not taken place. It was local government reorganisation under the Conservative party that allowed the new area—west Wales and the valleys—to be formed which made us eligible for this European aid. That is why there was none before that time. It took the local government reorganisation to create the NUTS 2 area that effectively led to forming the region that could qualify. To finish on a positive note, a cultural change is needed. This Government are creating that through the Work programme, the changes in the benefit system and business-friendly policies. Much red tape is being removed to encourage employers to employ more people and be less frightened about the risks of tribunals. The Ministry of Justice is helping reduce the risks of challenges and vexatious claims by employees. That is all positive, and more needs to be done. My hon. Friend the Member for Brecon and Radnorshire discussed the skills gap. I highlight the figures published earlier today. Investment in higher education in Wales is welcome, but the approach is completely wrong. We will end up with second-class universities as a result of an unsustainable policy that funds students rather than universities. A shift is needed in entrepreneurship. The policies that this Government will introduce, if the Welsh Assembly Government step up to the plate, will make that positive difference. Significant investment is being made in broadband. Wales has been one of the first parts of the UK to receive that announcement. Again, the Welsh Government have not stepped up to the plate and taken the positive step of forming agreements with BT Openreach and other mobile providers in order to close the gap. Much is going on and there is more to do. I look forward to the ongoing steps in the Wales Office and other Whitehall Departments to ensure that Wales is not left behind, as it was by the last Administration.