Economy Minister sets out top priorities for a stronger Welsh economy ‘built by all of us’

Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething has set out the Welsh Government's key priorities that will shape the Economy of Wales for the remainder of this term of Government:

- A just transition and green prosperity: realising the enormous net zero economic opportunities and engaging with businesses and people to move towards a just transition
- A platform for young people, fair work, skills and success: backing young people to achieve the ambitious futures in Wales. Prioritising their skills and creativity.
- Stronger partnerships for stronger regions and our everyday economy: working with regions to agree a smaller set of priorities for growth, local jobs and major investment. New joint working to boost the case for UK investment in projects that crowd in investment and support fair, unionised jobs in areas including nuclear, offshore wind and tech.
- Investing for growth: we will work in partnership to focus on our recognised strengths to boost investment and growth that prizes fair work and long-termism. Our new mission-based innovation strategy will target new investment in a post EU landscape, supporting commercialisation, research and development and entrepreneurship.
Speaking at a Welsh Government press conference (30/11/23) the Minister argued that the ‘trickle down is bust’ and set out the case for positioning Wales alongside the wave of economies turning active industrial policy into new skills for long term prosperity.  

However, whilst no one can disagree with the broad general statements above as ever 'the Devil' is in the detail.

Little mention of tourism given its importance and many in the industry will find the comments about setting priorities for growth of local jobs a hollow shout after the introduction of the 182 day threshold, which fundamentally threatens many micro and small businesses in our local, particularly rural counties.

The mention of boosting 'Unionised jobs' is also interesting given that over 90% of our rural tourism businesses are micro and run by owner managers. Unions have in recent years been recording a large loss of members as a consequence of a world that is radically changing with the loss of large employers, the rise of the gig economy and as the world moves on-line to more flexible, life style working. 

Full announcement can be found here: https://www.gov.wales/economy-minister-sets-out-top-priorities-stronger-welsh-economy-built-all-us
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