---

Welsh Regional Investment

My Right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Wales (Alun Cairns) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement:

On 6 December 2018 I announced to the House that the UK and Welsh Governments had commissioned a joint independent review of the Swansea Bay City Region City Deal. That review has now concluded and I am today publishing the report and a Joint Government response.

I welcome the report which provides Governments, local partners and the private sector with the confidence to invest in the region and bring about economic growth and transformational change. The report recognises the continuing commitment of all partners to the deal, as well as the positive impact a successful City Deal would have across the region. Both governments accept the review recommendations.

Over the coming weeks the UK Government will work alongside the Welsh Government and local partners to implement the recommendations and to seek to move the deal into the next phase of delivery. I am determined that the City Deal will deliver for communities in south-west Wales building on the foundation which this review provided.