After seven years, Labour still don't have the answer (Kirsty Williams AM )

Cymraeg
English

Kirsty Williams AM <info@kirstywilliams.org.uk>

After seven years, Labour still don't have the answer

November 17, 2006 1:43 PM

Welsh Liberal Democrat Enterprise, Innovation and Networks spokesperson, Kirsty Williams, has expressed her frustration at the Labour Assembly Government's inability to tackle Wales' economic problems, following the publication of the latest employment statistics.

The new figures show 77,000 people in Wales were unemployed between July and September this year, an increase of 19 per cent on the year before.

Ms Williams said: "The Welsh economy just isn't moving forward. VAT registration levels have remained pretty constant since the mid-1990's; our GVA per head is still the lowest of any UK region; we're haemorrhaging manufacturing jobs but there's no clear direction on what sectors might move in to take its place.

"I believe Wales is a can-do country, that we can be high-achievers, trend-setters, world-leaders. The Welsh Labour Government has had seven years to try and turn things around, and now they've run out of ideas. New markets emerge all the time, which pose challenges but also opportunities, and I'm worried that Wales is missing out."

Notes:

? The Assembly's Statistical Directorate published its monthly economic statistics bulletin today. Key figures include:

ILO unemployment was at 77,000 for July-September this year, an increase of 19 per cent on same period the year before.
There were 36 VAT registrations per 10,000 people of working age population in 2005 (compared to 48 per 10,000 for the UK as a whole). Registrations fluctuated between 34 and 37 between 1994 and 2002, and peaked at 40 in 2003 and 2004, before falling back.
GVA per head of population in Wales is 79.1% of the UK average, as percentage which has changed little since 1998 and is the lowest of any UK region.
The number of employee jobs in manufacturing in Wales fell by 8,000 (4.7%) between June 2005 and June 2006.