Wednesday saw Wales’ unemployment figures climb to an eye watering 137,000 or 9.3% of the workforce, more than at the height of the last recession in 2009 but still less than the highs of the 1980’s, the outlook is grim indeed.
The UK Government is unlikely to do anything significant in his Autumn statement to help, so the poor souls are relying on the Welsh Government and Business for answers, so Edwina Hart our Business Minister announced a loan scheme and grants support totaling £55million to coincide with the release of the UK and Welsh unemployment figures.
The threadbare Welsh Business press duly reported the scheme and business leaders were quoted as being pleased with new money and return to grants, however it took until today for both to mention that the cash wont be available until 2012 in the Western Mail
‘David Russ, managing director at the of South Wales Chamber of Commerce, said the funding announcement was “fantastic” but the money was needed now.
He said: “The announcement that funds of £55m, in addition to the previously planned £75m Jobs Growth Wales fund, will be made available for businesses in Wales is fantastic news. We’re confident that financial support such as this will encourage growth, which will have a knock-on effect on employment.
“However, it’s regrettable that these measures won’t be brought in until 2012 at the earliest, as SMEs and the unemployed population need this help now. With this promised support still a while away, we hope that consumer confidence will be bolstered by the inflation drop.”
Phil Cooper, chief executive of business support agency Venture Wales, described the unemployment figures as “truly shocking” and called for investment in start-up businesses.
He said: “Start-ups and the micro firm sector have in the last eight years created more jobs than any other sector of the industrial landscape yet do not receive the support or funding that other higher profile areas receive.
“Even though the economy is flat there are many things which our Government could be doing to help create jobs by investing more in start up activities and helping smaller firms to grow which as a collective could tackle these worrying unemployment figures.”
And according to Valleys Mam we know that Edwina’s Business department already has a £50 million under spend for 2011 when the Welsh economy is in major crisis, welsh unemployment is rising and is already 17% higher than last year – is it too much for the press and opposition parties to ask questions and expose the sham in the Business Department over its ‘help’ for business.
Edwina Hart comments about regretting capitalism may have made people smile last week, but it seems her state focused approach and legendary control freakery is also denying money for investment and business growth, Wales can’t afford anymore regret so Carwyn and Edwina need to start delivering because sheltering Wales from the worst excesses of a Tory Government was after all was the main reason voters many backed devolution.Any source
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