WELSH business minister Edwina Hart visited an organisation in Newport today that is planning to create 130 new jobs in the city.

UK Shared Business Services is planning to expand its operations with demand growing.

The limited company, which has offices in the city's Concept House, has an ongoing apprenticeship programme and is working with St Julian's Secondary School to offer pupils work experience and mentoring.

The company is also working with University of South Wales providing work placements for degree students.

Ms Hart, who opened two new wings at the site, said: "It’s great news to hear that UK SBS plans to expand its operations as demand for its services grow and that support services for the Green Investment Bank will also be based in Newport.

“The expansion will create a significant number of new job opportunities and I am pleased to note the company is already supporting young people’s entry into the employment market through work placements as well as apprenticeships.

“As part of our rapidly growing financial and professional services sector, UK SBS joins a growing cluster of public sector organisations based around Newport which includes the Intellectual Property Office, Office for National Statistics and the Ministry of Justice, which are making a significant contribution to the regional economy.”

Dr Clive Grace, chairman of UK SBS, said: “Wales is a great place for us to do business, especially because of the talented staff we have been able to recruit here.

"I am particularly pleased that with new customers coming on board and others in the pipeline, the potential for expanded employment opportunities here in Newport is significant.

"Alongside delivering excellent services for customers and helping them deliver quality and value for the taxpayer; we’re delighted to have created employment opportunities for our first team of local apprentices.

"We’ve also recruited a specialist team in Wales that will be delivering services across the UK, helping to make the UK public sector more efficient and effective.”

UK SBS provides a number of shared services such as human resources, finance, grants management and property services, to public sector organisations.