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Welsh summit on economic crisis Welsh summit on economic crisis
(about 1 hour later)
Wales' leading public figures are set to meet to examine the impact of the credit crunch on the country's economy.Wales' leading public figures are set to meet to examine the impact of the credit crunch on the country's economy.
Welsh Assembly Government ministers have called business and union leaders to the All-Wales Economic Summit at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.Welsh Assembly Government ministers have called business and union leaders to the All-Wales Economic Summit at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.
First Minister Rhodri Morgan will chair the meeting which will focus on the impact of the global recent financial turmoil and how to protect Wales.First Minister Rhodri Morgan will chair the meeting which will focus on the impact of the global recent financial turmoil and how to protect Wales.
Plans to give people in Wales access to a credit union will also be announced.Plans to give people in Wales access to a credit union will also be announced.
The assembly government has repeatedly said it will use all economic levers under its control to protect businesses and jobs.The assembly government has repeatedly said it will use all economic levers under its control to protect businesses and jobs.
Deputy First Minister and Minister for Economic Development and Transport Ieuan Wyn Jones and Secretary of State for Wales Paul Murphy will attend the meeting.Deputy First Minister and Minister for Economic Development and Transport Ieuan Wyn Jones and Secretary of State for Wales Paul Murphy will attend the meeting.
The summit will also involve some of Wales' top business leaders, trade unionists and representatives from businesses from all the country's key economic sectors including construction, retail and financial services.The summit will also involve some of Wales' top business leaders, trade unionists and representatives from businesses from all the country's key economic sectors including construction, retail and financial services.
It will also look at safeguarding key business sectors and the wider economy.It will also look at safeguarding key business sectors and the wider economy.
'First hand' evidence'First hand' evidence
Talking about convening the summit, Mr Morgan said: "I want to hear at first hand from businesses on how the current financial crisis is having an impact on them.Talking about convening the summit, Mr Morgan said: "I want to hear at first hand from businesses on how the current financial crisis is having an impact on them.
"The aim is to discuss in detail the challenges that are facing us as a result of the credit crunch and to examine how we can respond further to its impact on Wales.""The aim is to discuss in detail the challenges that are facing us as a result of the credit crunch and to examine how we can respond further to its impact on Wales."
The assembly government has already started taking steps to protect the national economy and allocated more than £290m within its recent draft budget to fund the Flexible Support for Business programme which will ease access to its funding.The assembly government has already started taking steps to protect the national economy and allocated more than £290m within its recent draft budget to fund the Flexible Support for Business programme which will ease access to its funding.
It also recently introduced a £7m rate relief package to help smaller businesses.It also recently introduced a £7m rate relief package to help smaller businesses.
As the Credit Crunch bites shoppers have been lookign for bargains in charity shops
Earlier this month Mr Morgan and Mr Jones also attended a meeting of the British-Irish Council where they discussed ideas on how to deal with the current economic crisis with their Scottish and Northern Irish counterparts.Earlier this month Mr Morgan and Mr Jones also attended a meeting of the British-Irish Council where they discussed ideas on how to deal with the current economic crisis with their Scottish and Northern Irish counterparts.
The three devolved countries agreed to take a trilateral approach to their joint financial problems and will join together to try and come through their economic crises.The three devolved countries agreed to take a trilateral approach to their joint financial problems and will join together to try and come through their economic crises.
Common fund
At around 1500 BST on Thursday, Social Justice and Local Government Minister Dr Brian Gibbons will officially announce plans which will give people in all parts of Wales access to a credit union.At around 1500 BST on Thursday, Social Justice and Local Government Minister Dr Brian Gibbons will officially announce plans which will give people in all parts of Wales access to a credit union.
Credit unions operate by members saving into a common fund which is then used to make low-interest loans to other members.Credit unions operate by members saving into a common fund which is then used to make low-interest loans to other members.
Any surplus made from the granting of these loans is then reinvested in the credit union or re-distributed to the members in the form of a dividend.Any surplus made from the granting of these loans is then reinvested in the credit union or re-distributed to the members in the form of a dividend.
There are more than 40,000 adult credit union members across the country with accounts totalling £16m.There are more than 40,000 adult credit union members across the country with accounts totalling £16m.
Dr Gibbons said that achieving all-Wales credit union coverage is a major milestone and will outline how £1.75m will be invested by the government under its One Wales commitment.Dr Gibbons said that achieving all-Wales credit union coverage is a major milestone and will outline how £1.75m will be invested by the government under its One Wales commitment.
"Due to the way in which they operate, credit unions can and do help to combat financial exclusion and rebuild consumer confidence," he said."Due to the way in which they operate, credit unions can and do help to combat financial exclusion and rebuild consumer confidence," he said.
"This is why the assembly government continues to support the movement, helping credit unions to develop and grow, to realise their full potential as social enterprises and a focus in their communities.""This is why the assembly government continues to support the movement, helping credit unions to develop and grow, to realise their full potential as social enterprises and a focus in their communities."