The Welsh Assembly Government remains cautious about Wales’s economic recovery, despite latest labour market figures that show employment has risen by 24,000 over last year – with a greater percentage decrease in the claimant count than the UK as a whole.
Commenting on today’s labour market figures, Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said,
“It is true that these latest figures show two encouraging signs. The number of people in work in Wales has gone up over the year, while the claimant count, the most timely measure of how many people are seeking support, has dropped by 11.6 percent over the year, more than the UK.
“Despite this progress we remain cautious. The aftershocks of the recession are still being felt and the data suggests that the rate of improvement in the UK economy has slowed. All of us need to continue working together to make sure this slow recovery is properly established and here to stay.
“The Welsh Assembly Government is focussed on securing economic recovery – in spite of the tough financial settlement imposed by Westminster.
“We are determined to keep supporting the Welsh economy and invest in skills, research & development and infrastructure to make sure we compete with the rest of the world.”
