Labour to blame for widening unemployment gap, says Eluned Parrott AM
The Welsh Liberal Democrats have blamed Labour’s lack of a coherent economic strategy for a rise in Welsh unemployment over the last quarter, while UK average unemployment is falling.
Statistics released today by the Office of National Statistics show that in the 3 months to September this year, the Welsh unemployment rate rose by 0.2 percentage points compared to the previous quarter to 6.1%.
Over the same period, the UK unemployment rate fell by 0.3 percentage points to 5.3%.
Eluned Parrott AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Economy Minister, said:
“There’s a growing trend emerging in that the Welsh economy is consistently underperforming compared to the UK average. The clear differentiating factor here is Labour’s Government in Cardiff Bay.
“Time and time again we’re told by Labour Ministers that they’re delivering for Wales and the Welsh economy is getting back on its feet. But when you look at the figures, it’s plain for anyone to see that their argument simply doesn’t wash.
“With some enterprise zones creating only a handful of jobs, an empty shops rate higher in Wales than anywhere else in the UK, and little to no focus on developing the skills of our workforce, it’s no wonder that Labour is failing Wales time after time.
“People want a vibrant Welsh economy with real job opportunities so they can get on in life. Welsh Liberal Democrats will create the conditions for business to thrive in Wales, tearing down the barriers that stop businesses from expanding.”
