“We need a change of government fast” – Labour votes against plan for growth

Since Sir Keir Starmer entered Number 10, unemployment in Wales has increased by nearly 50%.
The latest labour market statistics for Wales, published by the Office for National Statistics, were a damning indictment on the Welsh Labour Government.
In Labour-run Wales, unemployment has increased for the seventh consecutive month, and is the highest in the United Kingdom, our employment rate is the lowest in the United Kingdom, our economic inactivity rate is the highest in Great Britain, whilst Welsh workers receive the lowest wage packets in Great Britain.
In the Senedd today, the Welsh Conservatives brought forward a debate to highlight these dire economic statistics and offered a plan to fix the Welsh economy to boost growth in Wales and create jobs. Labour members, however, voted against the plan for growth.
Commenting after the vote, Welsh Conservative Shadow Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language, Samuel Kurtz MS, said:
“The latest ONS economy figures for Wales are a damning indictment of Labour failures at both ends of the M4.
“Since Sir Keir Starmer entered Number 10, unemployment in Wales has increased by nearly 50%. Yet Labour has rejected our plan to reduce the tax burden on Welsh businesses.
“We need a change of government fast, because Labour has broken the Welsh economy and only the Welsh Conservatives can fix it.”
The motion which was debated today read:
To propose that the Senedd:
Notes the Labour market overview published by the Office for National Statistics on 21st January 2025.
Regrets that under the Welsh Government:
Wales’ unemployment rate has increased for the seventh consecutive month to 5.6%, the highest rate in the United Kingdom;
Wales’ employment rate has decreased to 70%, the lowest rate in the United Kingdom;
Wales’ economic inactivity rate stands at 25.6%, the highest rate in Great Britain; and
Welsh wage packets are the lowest in Great Britain.
Calls on the Welsh Government to create more jobs in Wales and boost growth by:
reinstating business rates relief to 75% for the retail, hospitality and leisure sector to support business and protect jobs;
abolishing business rates for small businesses;
levelling-up the whole of Wales with adequate levels of investment for all parts of the country; and
working with the UK Government to cover the costs of their employer national insurance increase on private businesses.