Wales elections 2021: Youth unemployment debated by parties

The Welsh Parliament election will take place on 6 May

Plaid Cymru's promise of "absolutely zero" youth unemployment if the party is in government gives young people "false hope", Labour has said.

Welsh Labour's economy minister Ken Skates and Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price clashed on BBC's Wales Live.

On 6 May, the Welsh Parliament election will see people vote to elect 60 Members of the Senedd (MSs).

Welsh Labour is pledging to offer all under-25s work, education, training, or self-employment.

But Mr Price described Labour's plan as "a youth job guarantee that doesn't guarantee a job at all."

Adam Price says many European governments have successfully implemented a youth job guarantee scheme

When Mr Price was asked how he could guarantee all 16-24 year olds a job, he said: "In the same way that many, many governments across Europe have been implementing youth job guarantee schemes very, very successfully.

WALES ALERTS: Get extra updates on BBC election coverage

"By providing job subsidies but also by job creation as well.

"So in the short term it is by working with businesses to identify the opportunities that are there."

Sally Stephenson said the Welsh Liberal Democrats would focus on small businesses

He said the policy would be implemented in the first year of taking office.

In response, Mr Skates said it was "really important false hope isn't given to young people".

Russell George says the Welsh Conservatives would build an M4 relief road

"In many instances where those programmes have operated they've just led to longer term youth unemployment when the schemes end," he said.

"Instead, what Welsh Labour is promising is deliverable, it works."

For the Welsh Conservatives, Russell George said building an M4 relief road would help his party meet its promise to create 65,000 jobs.

Ken Skates said Welsh Labour's plan to offer all under-25s work, education, training, or self-employment was "deliverable"

He said work on it would start with "absolute urgency", but not necessarily next month.

Asked if building the road was green, he said: "You need to have roads.

WALES ELECTION: THE BASICS

What's happening? On 6 May, people will vote to elect 60 Members of the Senedd (MSs). The party that can command the support of a majority of MSs will form the Welsh government. Find out more here.

What powers does the Senedd have? MSs pass laws on aspects of life in Wales such as health, education and transport - and have some tax powers.

"At the moment there's huge congestion on the M4 relief road, that's not acceptable.

"And we're moving to an age of electric cars, which are green, so let's not forget that as well."

Sally Stephenson, for the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said her party did not have a target figure for job creation but would focus on small businesses.

"Small businesses will be the engine that drives economic growth as we come out of the pandemic," she said.

Leaders debate: If you would like to be part of the virtual audience for the BBC Wales Election 2021 Leaders Debate on 29 April, please email us your details to [e-mail].

• BASICS: Simple guide to the Senedd election

• POLICY GUIDE: Who should I vote for?

• FIRST TIME: Will 16-year-olds vote?