South Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Angela Burns has launched a campaign aimed at helping local businesses survive the recession.
Mrs. Burns, who was in business for 25 years before going into politics, wants to help small and medium sized businesses access as much help as possible to survive the credit crunch.
"Business is in my blood, I worked my way up from being a Saturday shop girl to a director of an international company before I became an Assembly Member and I am passionate about helping local businesses through this difficult time," said Mrs. Burns, who is also Shadow Welsh Regeneration Minister.
"The Welsh Assembly Government says that there are plenty of schemes and grants out there to help businesses survive and I want to help them to access that help.
"Finance Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones has given me a personal assurance that any businesses having trouble accessing help such as the Flexible Support Scheme can go to him, via me, for direct help.
"I want to hear from any business that thinks it may be entitled to help or which is having problems accessing funding to contact my office."
Mrs. Burns has also lobbied the Welsh Assembly Government to pressure banks into being more supportive at this time.
"A businessman who has been trading successfully in Pembrokeshire for 20 years came to see me after he asked his bank if he could keep his £75,000 overdraft facility.
"He had been informed by letter that the bank would now charge him five per cent per annum over the bank's base rate and 29 per cent per annum excess interest rate to keep the facility. Those are usurious rates."
If you are a business struggling to access help, then contact Angela's office on (01834) 862943 or email [email protected]">[email protected]