Welsh Weekly Earnings Lowest in The UK

As average weekly earnings in Wales fall to the lowest of all the UK regions, Plaid Cymru has warned that it’s time for both the UK and Welsh Government to begin investing in people.

Plaid Cymru Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure Adam Price said that the figures show that austerity has failed Wales.

He said that now was the time to bring forward ambitious capital investment projects, such as upgrades to infrastructure, and for the Welsh Government to support Welsh businesses to grow and prosper.

Image: Plaid Cymru Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure Adam Price.  

Plaid Cymru Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure Adam Price said:

“Average weekly wages in Wales are now £52 below the UK average and are the lowest in the UK. It is a clear illustration of the Welsh and UK Governments’ failure in its duty to the people of Wales.

“The Tories’ arbitrary austerity agenda has failed, and it has failed Wales more than anywhere else.

Meanwhile the Labour government in Wales has failed to deliver the economic growth we need.

“It’s time to abandon the culture of cuts; it has led to nothing but economic decline. It’s time to invest in our people and our communities.

“Plaid Cymru has long called for capital investment to upgrade infrastructure across the whole of Wales. We have put forward innovative finance models to counter the austerity agenda, so that we can create jobs, boost the economy and put money in people’s pockets.

“We also need the Welsh Government to start prioritising investment in Welsh-based businesses through the Welsh Development Bank, and bring to an end its policy of providing free cash to large foreign owned companies that bring little or no long-term benefit to the Welsh economy.

 “People in Wales are often locked in to a low wage cycle. It’s time to break the cycle and unlock economic growth.”