The number of people unemployed in Wales has fallen by 7,000 to 118,000 in the last three months, according to figures published by Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The unemployment figure has also dropped by 14,000 since this time last year and the number of people in employment in Wales has increased by 1,000 over the last quarter.
Secretary of State for Wales, David Jones said: “To echo the words of the Chancellor in his speech earlier this week, this steady improvement in employment figures show that the economy is turning a corner and that our economic plan is working.
“The numbers of people in work in Wales continues to rise with a further 1,000 in employment over the last quarter. Across the United Kingdom as a whole, there have never been more people in employment.
“Whilst the figures for economic activity in Wales are disappointing, we have seen a significant – and very welcome – drop in unemployment.
“It is clear that we have already achieved a great deal. Exports are up, as is business confidence. I was delighted to see the companies in attendance at the Wales Office’s north Wales business reception last week so full of optimism for the future.
“While there is still some way to go, we are building a balanced, sustainable and broad-based recovery that works for people in Wales and ensures Britain can compete in the global race.”
I sincerely hope that we are indeed "turning the corner" and jobs will be come plentiful; unfortunately I have my doubts. Employment used to mean being able to support yourself, and perhaps a family, with the fruits of your labour. My father brought up a family on his own income and when I turned 16 years of age I was able to get full time employment too.
Today a job is considered to be working as little as 15 hours a week. Many people I know have two, or even three, such 'jobs' in an effort to support themselves. I wonder if the suppliers of these encouraging figures can tell us how many of the additional 1,000 now in employment enjoy an income that matches that of the 'Living Wage' as defined by the Laour Party?
Sadly, Richard, we have out priced our goods which are now being manufactured in parts of the world where labour costs are much cheaper, Health & Safety issues are ignored and where pensions are non-existent.
It is not a political issue.
Clive, as somebody with 30 years experience in the manufacturing sector, both in technical and managerial roles, I can safely say that there is more to manufacturing a product that hits the market at a price people are willing to pay than labour costs. Wages in Germany are much higher than in the UK but there has, since the second world war, been a political willingness to promote engineering, science and skilled management.
This issue is all about politics, I have seen the deleterious effect of our home grown politicians deliberately allowing the sale or even ordering the destruction of our manufacturing base. Our rules regarding safety are very tough but firms can manage this and adapt. As a manager a lot of my time was taken up with safety and environmental issues but we coped. As for pensions, well we usually don't have them in manufacturing anymore. Pensions, especially final salary, are a luxury enjoyed mainly by the public sector.
Richard, Wages in Germany have remained no higher than the inflation rate for decades; German workers actually work fewer hours than those in the UK – they don't waste time, they do the job properly and are proud to be part of a successful and profit making concern.
Sadly that is seldom the case in south Wales where creating wealth and becoming rich are not factored in to political mindsets.
As an addendum, I have worked in industry, first of all as an apprentice, then as junior manager and then as senior manager in engineering for a total of 50+ years and have seen how the workforce in this area flaunt the rules and shortcut good work practice to the detriment of the product.
Fortunately there is a few exceptional companies, mainly foreign controlled or privately run, who do us proud. Lets hope that we get more of them.
I forgot to add Richard that British Leyland and many other Companies in the UK were destroyed by the political dogma of the Unions. You are unlikely to remember the likes of 'Red Robbo' but you will remember Arthur Scargill who decimated the once great coal industry by his attempt to usurp democracy and replace it with militants.
Clive, I remember Red Robbo as well as Arthur Scargill and as a keen historian know about Will Painter, 'Mabon' and so on. I can't comment on your experience, obviously that is unique to you. I worked for American and Finnish companies since 1990 and perhaps these number amongst the exceptional companies you mention. These were, amongst others, Nokia, Jamont and Koch. The latter is, or certainly was, the largest private company in the world.
I stand by my comment that political will has been key to German industrial success. Arthur Scargill did not destroy the coal industry, he was manouevered into a strike situation by government. This is backed up by the memoirs of Ian Macreggor and my own intimate knowledge of the coal industry.
With regard to the Welsh workforce companies such as Ford, Sony, Rockwool and Panasonic seemed to find them satisfactory. In the same vein Nissan and Honda make good products with an English workforce.
My point was, and remains, that for industry to thrive we need the political will to foster engineering, science and trained management. Without this we can make nothing worthwhile and to blame trade unions for all our ills is lazy thinking.