Plaid Cymru have launched a new economic plan titled ‘Making Wales Work’. The plan was launched at an event at Coaltown Coffee in Ammanford by Luke Fletcher MS, Plaid Cymru spokesperson on the economy and energy. The plan outlines the party’s vision for building a resilient and fairer economy before the Senedd elections in May 2026.
The plan states that the priorities of Plaid Cymru are ensuring that the children of Wales do not suffer poverty, that work, education and training opportunities are available to all young people and to ensure that wealth is created and kept in Welsh communities.
The proposals that the plan presents are split in to 5 key areas: businesses, energy, skills, innovation, and communities. Here is an overview of the main policies:
Businesses
- Create a new National Development Agency for Wales to help Welsh businesses grow and stay Welsh-owned, by providing a one-stop-shop for expert advice and business support.
- Reform the Development Bank of Wales – making it easier for Welsh businesses to access the finance they need to develop and plan for the future.
- Promote ‘Brand Wales’ – attracting inward investment that benefits our economy and our communities.
- Ensure that our public bodies buy more of the products and services that they need from Welsh businesses.
- Reform business rates, to support the Welsh-owned businesses that are the heart of our high streets and the backbone of local economies.
Energy
- Devolve the Crown Estate, on the same terms as Scotland, so that its profits stay in Wales
- Reform community benefit funds to ensure that more of the profits from renewable energy developments stay and are reinvested in Welsh communities.
- Facilitate more shared and community ownership of renewable energy projects, so that communities, households and businesses feel the benefits in their energy bills.
Skills
- Launch a National Skills Audit to ensure that education and training opportunities are aligned with the real needs of Welsh employers and industries, and reflect future opportunities in the Welsh economy.
- Ensure that the different parts of the skills system work together, so that everyone is fully supported to achieve their ambitions and fulfil their potential.
Innovation
- Review student finance to ensure more of the money Welsh Government spends on Higher Education stays here in Wales – benefiting our universities and our students.
- Create a new Innovation Agency to support research, development, and innovation.
Communities
- Give communities a ‘right to buy’ – the first chance to buy key assets like businesses, buildings and land when these come up for sale, so they can be brought into collective ownership for the benefit of local economies.
- Support social, community-owned and co-operative business models, scaling these up with dedicated finance through the Development Bank.
In a statement on Plaid Cymru’s website, Rhodri Evans, owner of Ffloc in Canton, Cardiff said:
“Reforming business rates for SMEs located on our high streets is essential to boost the Welsh economy. This is the only way small businesses on the high street can compete against online-only businesses. Right now those online businesses don’t pay any business rates. The current system is broken – it’s high time policies like this were updated.”
Sarah Drummond, from Drop Bear Beer Co. in Llansamlet, Swansea said:
“Drop Bear is proud to support Plaid Cymru. As a small business with lots of ambition to grow, we are excited to support Plaid’s economic vision for Wales, which will ensure a more prosperous, sustainable and equitable future for everyone in Wales. We believe it is time for a change, and we’re backing Plaid to bring that change!”
To read the document in full follow this link to Plaid Cymru’s website.
