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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Rate of unemployment in Wales falls again | Rate of unemployment in Wales falls again |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The unemployment rate in Wales has fallen again from 6.7% to 6.5%. | The unemployment rate in Wales has fallen again from 6.7% to 6.5%. |
| A total of 94,000 people were unemployed in Wales between June and August this year, down by 3,000 compared to the previous three months. | A total of 94,000 people were unemployed in Wales between June and August this year, down by 3,000 compared to the previous three months. |
| However, there were still 32,000 fewer people in work in Wales compared to the same period in 2013. | However, there were still 32,000 fewer people in work in Wales compared to the same period in 2013. |
| Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones said the drop showed the government's polices were "making a difference, creating and safeguarding jobs". | Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones said the drop showed the government's polices were "making a difference, creating and safeguarding jobs". |
| "The fall in youth unemployment, which is faster in Wales than elsewhere in the UK, is particularly encouraging." | "The fall in youth unemployment, which is faster in Wales than elsewhere in the UK, is particularly encouraging." |
| Falling rate welcomed | Falling rate welcomed |
| Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb welcomed the drop in numbers, saying he was also pleased there had been a fall in youth unemployment. | Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb welcomed the drop in numbers, saying he was also pleased there had been a fall in youth unemployment. |
| "It's so important that we get young people across Wales their first step on the job ladder," he said. | "It's so important that we get young people across Wales their first step on the job ladder," he said. |
| Analysis by economics correspondent Sarah Dickins | |
| Although the drop in unemployment is good news, not all the figures should be interpreted that way. | |
| Compared to this time last year, the number of people working in the Welsh economy has reduced - down by 32,000. | |
| Therefore we can't say that because there's been a fall in unemployment there are more people working. That's not the case. | |
| Add to that there were some 47,000 more people in Wales counted as "economically inactive". | |
| They could have given up work to care for children, they might be students or young entrants into the labour market, or they might be sick. | |
| But for whatever reason, that's fewer wage packets coming into Wales, fewer wage packets being spent, and so our economy has worsened as a result. | |
| Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Business, William Graham AM, also welcomed the figures but was less enthusiastic than Mr Crabb. | Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Business, William Graham AM, also welcomed the figures but was less enthusiastic than Mr Crabb. |
| He said: "There are encouraging signs within these figures, but it is clear that the economic recovery in Wales remains fragile. | He said: "There are encouraging signs within these figures, but it is clear that the economic recovery in Wales remains fragile. |
| "More action can be taken to support businesses and help create the conditions for economic growth in Wales." | "More action can be taken to support businesses and help create the conditions for economic growth in Wales." |
| Slower rate criticised | Slower rate criticised |
| Eluned Parrott AM, the Welsh Liberal Democrat economy spokeswoman, was critical of the speed at which unemployment was falling. | Eluned Parrott AM, the Welsh Liberal Democrat economy spokeswoman, was critical of the speed at which unemployment was falling. |
| She said: "While unemployment in Wales has fallen yet again, it is continuing to fall at a much slower rate than the UK as a whole. | She said: "While unemployment in Wales has fallen yet again, it is continuing to fall at a much slower rate than the UK as a whole. |
| "We must ask why 6.5% of our workforce is out of work and why other parts of the UK are continuing to recover faster." | "We must ask why 6.5% of our workforce is out of work and why other parts of the UK are continuing to recover faster." |
| Unemployment for the UK as a whole has fallen by 154,000 in the same period, falling from a rate of 6.2% to 6%. | Unemployment for the UK as a whole has fallen by 154,000 in the same period, falling from a rate of 6.2% to 6%. |
| Plaid Cymru's economy spokesman Rhun ap Iorwerth said: "Unemployment in Wales continues to fall, and this is to be welcomed. But employment is still lower in Wales than before the recession and this is a matter of concern. | |
| "Despite unemployment falling, rates of economic inactivity remain stubbornly high - the highest levels in the UK. Many of these are people who want to be in work and want to contribute to the economy." |