Unemployment falls in Wales

Liam Byrne, Shadow Secretary of State for work and pensions says today's unemployment figures are "a chink of light in an otherwise bleak economic outlook".

The Shadow secretary also praises the Welsh Government for it's schemes to get more people and especially the youth in Wales into employment.

• UK
• Liam Byrne
• Unemployment

"Today's figures continue the positive trend of recent months and show employment in Wales at a record high.

Year-on-year, Wales has seen the joint largest increase in employment rate within the UK.

However, whilst this is welcome news for Wales, today's figures also show a continued weakness in the Welsh labour market, including a small increase in the claimant count.

They add to the strong case for action from the UK Government to better promote growth as its economic policy based on spending cuts is not working.

• UK
• Edwina Hart AM
• Unemployment

Despite Wales seeing the biggest increase in employment in the UK this quarter, the UK Government's Minister of State for Work and Pensions, Mark Hoban, says there are still "challenges to tackle" here.

• UK
• Unemployment

Secretary of State for Wales, David Jones, has welcomed today’s publication of the latest Labour Market Statistics which show that Wales has seen the largest increase in the employment rate across the UK over the last three months.

Today’s figures demonstrate that the private sector is beginning to strengthen, and that businesses in Wales are making great strides on the road to recovery.

“Business leaders are telling me that they have renewed confidence and, although the situation remains tricky, are on the whole encouraged by the positive signs in the economy.

“However, we cannot rest on our laurels. The fall in youth claimant count is encouraging, but youth unemployment remains stubbornly high.

• UK
• David Jones MP
• Unemployment