Clwyd South AM Ken Skates welcomes new Welsh Labour Market figures

CLWYD South AM Ken Skates has welcomed new Labour Market Statistics which show that Wales is making obvious progress in creating and safeguarding jobs.

The figures, released earlier this week, revealed that employment levels in Wales are at an historic high and economic inactivity is at a record low.

Labour AM Mr Skates said: “Wales is outperforming the UK as a whole in crucial areas such as youth employment – unemployment amongst the 16- to 17-year-old and 18- to 24-year-old groups is falling faster here.

“While the damage caused by the Tory-led UK Government’s failure to respond to the economic downturn has not been fully repaired, these news employment statistics, together with our positive economic output indicators, show that Wales can face 2014 with an increased spirit of optimism and confidence.

“The Welsh Labour Government is continuing to provide direct support for businesses to help them grow and create opportunities through such initiatives as Business Wales one-stop shops, which have provided direct advice to 5,360 businesses across the country, creating and safeguarding more than 2,200 jobs in its first year.”