Is Wales Working?

It probably wasn't the best scheduling with the Paralympics closing ceremony over on Channel 4 last night, but for those who watched BBC Wales Is Wales Working? it certainly brought a welcome focus to tackling the problems of the Welsh economy as our politicians and assorted advisors make their way back to work after the summer recess.

The programme was too heavily focused on South Wales and had a few tired clichés, but overall former BBC Wales presenter and now BBC’s Berlin correspondent Stephen Evans brought a sharper edge in his 50 minutes on the subject than other journalists have managed in a while.

He managed to get more out of his well known and respected interviewees about Welsh business and the economy than most, including Brian Morgan’s calls for a better regional policy from the UK Government to spread the wealth and Gerald Holtham calls for a specific focus on the needs of Wales and developing a Welsh economy will hopefully give food for thought in the Welsh Assembly and local councils.

Stephen’s conclusions that a lot of Wales’ problems can be over come from the people themselves and that we need more confidence in our ability, each other and the opportunities that are out there will annoy many and are a bit simplistic, but many more including those i talked to today found it refreshing that we are finally being told we Welsh are capable of turning things around and decline and poverty doesn't have to be Wales only economic story.

The programme is HERE 

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