'Vast majority' of grant aid succeeds, Carwyn Jones says

Checks on businesses being given government grants are "never perfect", the first minister has said.

Carwyn Jones was responding to concerns about firms which had closed or left Wales after being given public funds.

He said the Welsh government "backs winners the vast majority of the time".

Mr Jones confirmed that work was "ongoing" to recover money from Griffin Place Communications, a financial services firm in Cwmbran which went bust in July with the loss of 140 jobs.

BBC Wales has also learnt that the Welsh government is seeking repayment of £700,000 given to Guardian Wealth Management in 2013, which closed its office in Caerphilly a year later.

Mr Jones said risks had to be taken, but claimed most investments proved successful.