Welsh government to announce £40m funding to help boost the Covid-hit economy

  • Video report by James Crichton-Smith

The Welsh Government will announce a £40m jobs and skills package to help the economy recover from the impact of coronavirus today.

It will reveal more support for apprenticeships, together with traineeships, redundancy assistance, retraining programmes and careers advice.

There will also be a pledge to help anyone over 16 in Wales to access advice and support to find work, pursue self-employment or find a place in education or training.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak was asked about the UK response to migrant crossings on Friday morning Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA

Last week, the UK Government said it will top up the direct funding it gives to the Welsh Government this year by £1bn to help it cope with the coronavirus crisis.

According to the Treasury, that would mean it will have given ministers in Cardiff a total of £4bn extra since the pandemic began, adding to the £17bn the Welsh Government had already planned to spend this financial year.

It comes as earlier this month, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that Wales is to get £500m following the summer statement.

The money will go towards VAT cuts for the hospitality sector and a jobs scheme to help young people find work.

The Welsh government's additional funding follows an announcement last week by Education Minister Kirsty Williams of a £50m investment in skills and learning for higher and further education.