The latest labour market statistics for Wales, covering July 2025, revealed that Wales’ employment rate remains the lowest in Britain, at 71.8%.
Economic inactivity in Wales remains the highest in Britain, at 24.8%.
Welsh Conservatives lay blame at the UK and Welsh Labour Governments at both ends of the M4, who have made life difficult for businesses who have had to cut staffing numbers to deal with the rise in employer National Insurance contributions.
Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Energy, Samuel Kurtz MS said:
“Under Labour, enabled by Plaid Cymru, the Welsh economy is broken. It’s clear that only the Welsh Conservatives can be trusted to fix Wales.
“Keir Starmer’s Jobs Tax has hit businesses, forcing many to freeze hiring or reduce staffing numbers. This has been particularly devastating for younger people, who are disproportionately affected by these political decisions.
“Welsh Conservatives want to see a Wales open for business. We would scrap business rates for small businesses, with rate cuts in town centres and Labour and Plaid’s toxic Tourism Tax axed before it comes into force.”
