'I am proud to have the chance to lead a debate to remember and recognise the contribution of all those who have served'

MS for Delyn

This week thoughts turn to Remembrance Day on Thursday and many places will be holding wreath-laying services on Remembrance Sunday, on November 14th, too.

In my role as Deputy Minister for Social Partnership, I am the Welsh Government’s policy lead in relation to the Armed Forces in Wales and Veterans so this is a particularly important time of year for me.

I’m keen to take the time to meet veterans and to honour and remember our service personnel both locally and nationally.

This year in addition to our debt of gratitude for their service in armed conflicts around the world, we also owe serving members of the Armed Forces our gratitude for the important role they have played right throughout the pandemic.

Here in the constituency I will be attending a service at Northop Hall War Memorial on Thursday which is Remembrance Day itself.

On Remembrance Sunday I am going to be at two services – one in Holywell in the morning and the other in Flint in the afternoon. I’ve also asked for a representative to lay a wreath on my behalf at the Mold ceremony this year.

On behalf of the Welsh Government I’m really pleased that I will be able to attend an event in Cardiff city centre to raise awareness of the Royal British Legion’s annual poppy appeal. It’s a busy shopping time of year so I hope we will be able to get lots of donations.

And this week I am proud to have the chance to lead a debate to remember and recognise the contribution of all those who have served, and continue to serve, in our Armed Forces, particularly those who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice.

I will also pay tribute to the support that third sector organisations provide to our Armed Forces community in Wales, especially the Royal British Legion, which is in its 100th anniversary year.

This week is Global Entrepreneurship Week and Wales is thriving when it comes to entrepreneurial spirit, new figures show. More people in Wales are starting a new business venture and seizing the economic and lifestyle changes that have been driven by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since March 2020, the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service has provided advice and guidance to 3,020 individuals thinking of starting a business, which supported the creation of 1,556 new businesses in Wales.

This included 324 entrepreneurs, who were previously unemployed, who started a business with financial support through the Start-Up barriers grant.

The Welsh Government is also committed to encouraging a culture of entrepreneurship among young people in particular - and to develop their interest in business start-ups.

This is part of the Welsh Government’s commitment to deliver the ‘Young Person’s Guarantee’ – with the option for young people to access support to create their own business.

Big Ideas Wales - part of Business Wales - provides dedicated support for young people, where a network of more than 400 Welsh business owners aim to inspire the next generation as role models.

If you’re a budding young entrepreneur you can find out more on the Business Wales website: www.businesswales.gov.wales/bigideas.

And if you’ve started a new business since lockdown I’d love you to tell me all about it – just drop me a line by emailing Hannah.blythyn@senedd.wales or using the contact form on my website: www.hannahblythyn.cymru/contact.