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Wales lags behind rest of the UK Wales lags behind rest of the UK
(40 minutes later)
Wales' working population is lagging further behind the rest of the UK, according to official figures.Wales' working population is lagging further behind the rest of the UK, according to official figures.
One in four of working age in Wales are defined as neither employed nor seeking work, more than in Scotland and England but lower than Northern Ireland.One in four of working age in Wales are defined as neither employed nor seeking work, more than in Scotland and England but lower than Northern Ireland.
The Welsh employment level has also fallen by 1.1% to 71.1% in a year, when the UK average has risen 0.3% to 74%.The Welsh employment level has also fallen by 1.1% to 71.1% in a year, when the UK average has risen 0.3% to 74%.
But the number of people registered as unemployed in Wales is down to 4.9%, 0.3% below the UK average.But the number of people registered as unemployed in Wales is down to 4.9%, 0.3% below the UK average.
The overall gloomy economic picture of Wales is painted by the latest Labour market statistics compiled by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).The overall gloomy economic picture of Wales is painted by the latest Labour market statistics compiled by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
Economic inactivity levels are regarded by some analysts as a key indicator of the overall health of an economy.Economic inactivity levels are regarded by some analysts as a key indicator of the overall health of an economy.
In Wales 448,000 people, 25.1% of the potential working population, are recorded as economically inactive, near the bottom of the league table.In Wales 448,000 people, 25.1% of the potential working population, are recorded as economically inactive, near the bottom of the league table.
The UK average is 21%.The UK average is 21%.
Despite a 0.2% fall in the number of economically inactive across the UK during November, December and January, Wales has seen a rise of 0.8%.Despite a 0.2% fall in the number of economically inactive across the UK during November, December and January, Wales has seen a rise of 0.8%.
Grim snapshotGrim snapshot
The employment figures also appear to present a grim snapshot of the Welsh economy.The employment figures also appear to present a grim snapshot of the Welsh economy.
Despite an increase of 0.3% in employment rates across the UK to 74.8%, the position in Wales has deteriorated, with a fall of 1.1% taking the rate down to 71.1%.Despite an increase of 0.3% in employment rates across the UK to 74.8%, the position in Wales has deteriorated, with a fall of 1.1% taking the rate down to 71.1%.
This represents a fall in employment in Wales of 0.6% for the quarter, and 1.1% for the previous year.This represents a fall in employment in Wales of 0.6% for the quarter, and 1.1% for the previous year.
The job statistics for the UK as a whole are much more positive than in Wales - with a UK increase of 0.3% for the quarter, and 0.4% for the year.The job statistics for the UK as a whole are much more positive than in Wales - with a UK increase of 0.3% for the quarter, and 0.4% for the year.
There is better news for Wales in the unemployed in Wales figures, however, which are more consistent with those of the UK as a whole.There is better news for Wales in the unemployed in Wales figures, however, which are more consistent with those of the UK as a whole.
4.9% are registered unemployed in Wales, compared to 5.2% for the UK.4.9% are registered unemployed in Wales, compared to 5.2% for the UK.
This means around 3,000 people in Wales came off the unemployment register - bringing the total down to 69,000.This means around 3,000 people in Wales came off the unemployment register - bringing the total down to 69,000.
Across the UK as a whole, there has been a reduction of 0.1% compared to the previous quarter, and a fall of 0.3% over the last year.Across the UK as a whole, there has been a reduction of 0.1% compared to the previous quarter, and a fall of 0.3% over the last year.
'Kick-start''Kick-start'
The Welsh Conservatives said the data was "further worrying and real evidence of the failure of Labour's economic policies over recent years".The Welsh Conservatives said the data was "further worrying and real evidence of the failure of Labour's economic policies over recent years".
Party enterprise spokesman David Melding said: "We need radical solutions to kick-start the Welsh economy, to get more people into work, to develop skills, and to encourage business growth.Party enterprise spokesman David Melding said: "We need radical solutions to kick-start the Welsh economy, to get more people into work, to develop skills, and to encourage business growth.
Welsh Liberal Democrat economic spokesperson Kirsty Williams described the Labour market figures as "a gloomy illustration of the weakening Welsh economy".Welsh Liberal Democrat economic spokesperson Kirsty Williams described the Labour market figures as "a gloomy illustration of the weakening Welsh economy".
"The Plaid-Labour (Welsh assembly) government must commit to increasing the skills of the workforce and ensuring that Wales is a place to do business - they must do this now to get the Welsh economy back on its feet," she said."The Plaid-Labour (Welsh assembly) government must commit to increasing the skills of the workforce and ensuring that Wales is a place to do business - they must do this now to get the Welsh economy back on its feet," she said.
The Welsh Assembly Government has yet to respond to the figures. The Welsh Assembly Government said in a statement that unemployment in Wales was below the UK average and employment "well above its historical average".
It continued: "These latest figures demonstrate that there are problems to overcome and the Welsh Assembly Government is not only committed to creating more jobs but also creating better skilled, better quality and better paid jobs."
An internal reorganisation to make the administration respond better to business needs, £200m single investment fund for firms and a more strategic use of European funds are amongst measures Welsh ministers hope will turn the tide.