£41m to help 'stimulate economy'

Rail services are expected to benefit from a share of the cash

A £41m fund to provide an "economic stimulus" to help Wales deal with the recession, is being spent by the assembly government.

The money is allocated to different government departments and will be spent across Wales.

Details of the projects to benefit will be announced by ministers.

Education minister Jane Hutt has said £12.2m would be spent on education schemes, including £4.5m in Ebbw Vale and £1.8m in Anglesey.

Finance minister Andrew Davies said: "This capital allocation will help the assembly government deliver on our One Wales commitments as well as helping to lead Wales out of recession by helping to boost employment."

Money allocated includes £12m to the Department for Environment, Sustainability, and Housing which will be targeted at measures to improve energy efficiency and housing projects across Wales.

Other departments to benefit include the Department for Health and Social Services which gets £8.6m, and the Department for Economy and Transport, which is receiving £7.5m to be partly spent on road and rail services.

Ms Hutt said the £12.2m for education programmes would "kick-start many of our exciting initiatives which will be of great benefit to learners while offering a boost to the economy during challenging times".