Secretary of State vows "I won't let Wales slip behind" as unemployment rises
New figures show a fall in employment across Wales after a summer of growth. Year on year, the overall picture for jobs is positive
The latest jobs figures show a fall in employment across Wales after a summer of strong growth.
Labour Market statistics published this morning reveal:
- Employment is down 6,000 on the quarter and the employment rate is down 0.6 percentage points to 70.9%.
- Unemployment is up 3,000 on the quarter while the unemployment rate is up 0.2 percentage points to 6.1%.
- Inactivity is up 7,000 on the quarter.
Year on year, the overall picture for the jobs market is positive with employment up by 44,000, unemployment down and inactivity down by 29,000.
Secretary of State for Wales, Stephen Crabb, said:
This is a disappointing set of figures for Wales, especially when the rest of the UK is moving in the right direction.
There will be fluctuations in figures from time to time and the long term trend is still a positive one. Wales has made some of the best economic progress in the UK in recent years and we have been closing the gap on the rest of the country.
But today’s figures show clearly the need to stick to the UK Government’s long term strategy and vision to keep the Welsh economy on track. I am determined that we will not slip behind.