Jobless rise shows Labour plan failing, say Tories

The unemployment figures have fluctuated sharply in Wales over the past six months

The Senedd Conservative group leader has accused the first minister of refusing to "accept any responsibility" for Wales' economic performance following a rise in the Welsh unemployment rate.

Figures published on Tuesday estimated the rate of unemployment in Wales was 5.7% in the three months to September, higher than the UK rate of 5%.

Tory group leader Darren Millar told Eluned Morgan: "It is very clear to me that your plan isn't working."

But the first minister highlighted concerns, expressed by the ONS itself, about the quality of its data and pointed to a different set of statistics which gave a lower unemployment rate for Wales.

The figure of 5.7% is a substantial increase from 4.3%, in the previous three month period, from April to June.

However, the ONS has said its figures should be treated with caution and that it is taking additional steps to address concerns around the quality of the data.

During First Minister's Questions on Tuesday afternoon, Millar said the figures showed there was a "jobs crisis" in Wales.

He said this was down to decisions taken by the UK Labour government but also Labour ministers in Cardiff.

"You've slowed our economy down with 20 mile an hour speed limits, you've allowed excessive council tax increases to be imposed upon our citizens - and they've gone unchecked - and you've legislated and paved the way for yet more Welsh taxes on motorists and tourists.

"It is very clear to me that your plan isn't working," he said.

Morgan said Brexit and tariffs imposed by the United States were contributory factors.

"We have a higher manufacturing base in Wales, so that affects our exports more than it does those of the south east [of England]," she said.

She added that the ONS' figures were "not reliable data when it comes to Wales" and pointed out that according to the annual population survey, the unemployment rate for Wales in the year to June was 4.1% compared to the UK rate of 4%.

Millar responded: "This is a 10 year high rate of unemployment that's been published today so you can't park the blame on Brexit or blame the president of the United States for the woes that Wales is facing on your watch, and as a result of 26 years of a failing Labour government which has been absolutely disastrous for the Welsh economy.

"You blamed it on everything and everyone else but yourselves, and you refuse, as always, to accept any responsibility for what's going wrong."

In a statement, Plaid Cymru business and trade spokesperson Llinos Medi MP called the figures "deeply worrying".

"This is the inevitable result of policies made in Westminster that penalise small businesses," she said.

"Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our economy, making up over 99% of enterprises in Wales.

"Yet instead of supporting them, Westminster has chosen to increase costs, undermine confidence, and stifle job creation," Medi said.

She added that the upcoming budget was an "opportunity to change course".

A Reform spokesman said: "Whether it's the tourism tax, or the decision not to build the M4 relief road, the Cardiff Bay establishment has made it clear that Wales is closed for business.

"We want Wales to be open for business, because we know that businesses bring jobs and provide pay-packets for families right across Wales."

Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster spokesperson David Chadwick called on the UK government to reverse its National Insurance hike for employers.

"Everyone except [Chancellor] Rachel Reeves seems to have woken up to the fact that forcing small businesses to pay more in tax for giving people jobs would damage job opportunities.

"Now the proof is staring her in the face."