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Snowdon Summit Cafe is one the Objective One schemes

European funding known as 'Objective One' has often been heralded as the key to regenerating Wales' poorest communities.

Over the past seven years �1.2bn has been allocated to projects across Mid and West Wales.

But how much of a difference has that money made?

The Politics Show Wales speaks to the author of a new report commissioned by the Assembly Government shows which shows that two of the Government's three main targets for Objective One could be missed by quite some margin.

It is undoubtedly true that many communities across West Wales and the Valleys have benefited from Objective One funds and the Welsh Assembly Government has made good progress towards making full use of the money available.

But it had been hoped that the money would lead directly to at least 43,500 new jobs.

A report by the Economic Development consultant Gareth Williams, published this week shows that the total number of new jobs delivered could be as many as 17,500 fewer than the target.

It had also hoped the Euro funds would raise the measure of Wales' wealth, it's GDP, to 78% of the UK average. But Mr Williams's report suggests that despite the extra millions we'll still be far off that figure. "It does appear there's a significant gap, yes. I mean, you can always ask whether the target that was set was the right one," said Mr. Williams.

"I know that the Assembly has said that they wanted to set ambitious targets but I think that obviously there is still a gap there and continued assistance is probably needed to put that right."

We speak to the Economic Development Minister, Andrew Davies about the progress of the Objective One programme.

Ieuan Wyn Jones

Also on the Politics Show

Brian Meechan will report on class war in the Assembly as the Arts Council is accused of pandering to the Middle Classes.

And as Plaid Cymru prepare to spend the next six months speaking to the Welsh public to find out what they want, we ask the Party's leader in the Assembly Ieuan Wyn Jones whether the initiative will be enough to turn around their poor performance in recent elections.

The Politics Show

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