JANE Hutt, Finance and Government Business Minister, has announced an £11 million investment to support the growth of social businesses across Wales.

The Social Business Wales project, backed by more than £6 million of EU funds and almost £5 million from the Welsh Government, will be delivered by the Wales Co-operative Centre and will provide specialist support for some 500 social businesses, including co-operatives, employee-owned companies and social enterprises. Around 500 new jobs are expected to be created over the next five years.