Wayne David, Labour MP for Caerphilly, has told the House of Commons that the future for his constituents looks “bleak”.
Speaking in a debate on the future regeneration of the coalfields, Mr David said that it was now becoming clear just how bad for his constituency the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) was.
The Rhymney Valley is heavily dependent on the public sector for employment. Mr David said that job losses in the area could be “huge”.
He told the House of Commons: “In communities in the south Wales coalfield, including in my constituency, the CSR will have a truly devastating impact on the public sector.
“PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates, for example, that Wales as a whole will lose 52,000 jobs in the private and public sectors as a direct result. Services will be hit, the most vulnerable will suffer and benefit recipients will lose out hugely.”
Speaking after the debate, Mr David said: “Adding insult to injury are the cancellations of the Defence Training College at St Athan and the Severn Barrage. On top of this is the likelihood that the electrification of the South Wales to Paddington railway line will be postponed for the foreseeable future. These projects could have provided thousands of new jobs. Sadly, they will not see the light of day.
“All in all things look pretty bleak for Caerphilly. During the next few weeks I will be doing my utmost to show the folly of the Government’s ways. I hope they will listen, but, to be honest, I am not optimistic.”
In his response to the cuts last week, the leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council Lindsay Whittle said: “Although we won’t be fully clear on how the review affects the situation across Wales until next month, the Chancellor’s announcements give us a clear indication of the tough times we have ahead of us.”
“The Chancellor outlined a 7.1% cut in council budgets every year over the next four years which will undoubtedly place a strain on the provision of council services across the board.
“Despite these deep cuts in public spending, let us also remember that potentially for Wales and its citizens some positive news came out of the Comprehensive Spending Review.
“News such as an extra £2bn being pledged for social care by 2014/15, together with the news that cold weather payment increases have been made permanent and all benefits for pensioners have been maintained at current levels for three years.”