‘You don’t have to get out to get on’: Economy minister to tackle Wales’ brain drain in speech

Wales’ economy minister will tell the young people of Wales that they don’t have to “get out to get on” in a promise to prioritise their economic futures and tackle the country’s brain drain today.

Vaughan Gething will start a conversation about the “long term demographic challenge facing the Welsh economy”.

The proportion of the population aged 16 to 64 years old in Wales has been decreasing year-on-year since mid-2008 – and could be just 58% of the population by 2043, he will say.

In response, Vaughan Gething will say that his approach will be geared towards creating an economy where more young people feel confident about planning their future in Wales, thus supporting job creation and more dynamic local economies.

“My ambition is to make Wales a place where more young people feel confident in planning their future here,” he will say.

“You don’t have to get out to get on, make your future here in Wales.”

‘Optimism’

The Economy Minister will also say that the Welsh Government will pursue a “progressive” economic policy that focusses on better jobs, narrowing the skills divide and tackling poverty.

They will work with unions and business to develop it’s ‘something for something’ approach so that Welsh public money is wedded to action on fair work, decarbonisation and skills, he will say.

“The Welsh Government is taking bold action to build a stronger, fairer, greener Welsh economy,” Vaughan Gething said. “It has taken a Team Wales effort to keep Wales safe and we will deliver a Team Wales Recovery, built by all of us.

“A strong Welsh recovery will be based on the principles of fair work and sustainability as we invest in the industries and services of the future.

“As we face the headwinds of Brexit, I am determined that our credible plans will offer as much certainty as possible to help businesses plan ahead.

“A new era of partnership for stronger regions, a young person’s guarantee, a plan to back our everyday economy and collaboration with world-leading, advanced manufacturing. This is the cause for optimism for the future we are building in Wales.”