Poll shows public support for Welsh Government-led economic strategy post-lockdown

The public would rather the Welsh Government develop its own economic strategy to get the country back on its feet after the coronavirus lockdown than follow an all-UK approach, according to the new poll.

The Survation poll for the Centre for Welsh Studies backed a Welsh Government created economic strategy over a UK-wide approach by 52% to 37%, with 11% answering ‘don’t know’.

The question asked: “Which of the following statements best reflects your view?”

The answers included “The Welsh Government should participate in a one nation, UK wide approach to get the country back on its feet post coronavirus lockdown” and “The Welsh Government should concentrate on its own economic strategy to get the country back on its feet post coronavirus lockdown.”

With ‘don’t knows’ removed, 59% backed the second option and 41% the first.

‘Concerns’

However, the poll also suggested that by 39% to 33%, with 28% unsure, people felt that the Welsh Government hadn’t done enough to develop a recovery strategy to reboot the Welsh economy after Covid-19.

74% believed coronavirus had had a negative impact on the Welsh economy, with 6% saying it had a positive impact, and 7% no impact. 13% did not know.

The full results can be found here.

Matthew MacKinnon, Director of the Centre for Welsh Studies said: “The results of our poll clearly state that the Welsh people want to see the Welsh Government taking a pro-business, market-led approach to reboot the Welsh economy and ensure the damage of lockdown is minimalised by taking such an approach.

“Currently, the Welsh Government have been very vocal about the public sector but have been slow to listen to the concerns of the private sector.

“With almost three-quarters of those polled believing that lockdown has had a negative impact on the Welsh economy, surely it is time for the Welsh Government to announce a comprehensive, nuanced plan to begin the reopening of the Welsh economy.”

The Survation poll had fieldwork dates of 22/05/20 – 31/05/20 and was conducted via online panel. The sample size was 1,051.