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Valleys and west Wales poorest in the UK and further behind European average Valleys and west Wales poorest in the UK and further behind European average
(40 minutes later)
New figures suggest the economic performance of West Wales and the south Wales valleys has fallen further behind the European average and the poorest regions in the UK. New figures suggest the economies of west Wales and the south Wales valleys has fallen further behind the European average and the poorest in the UK.
The figures have been condemned by opposition politicians, who say billions of pounds of European aid have failed to boost prosperity. The figures have been condemned by some politicians, who say billions of European aid have failed to work.
More than a decade ago, the arrival of European funding was hailed as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the fortunes of the poorest parts of Wales. In 1999, the funding was hailed as a once-in-a-generation chance for the poorest parts of Wales.
But economic performance per head has actually fallen since then. Latest results showing GDP at less than 70% of the European average in 2009. That figure stood at nearly 80% in 2005. But performance per head has fallen - GDP at 68.4 % of the European average in 2009, compared to 79% in 2005.
Meanwhile, Wales's overall GDP remains lower than any other part of the UK at just under 80% of the EU average.Meanwhile, Wales's overall GDP remains lower than any other part of the UK at just under 80% of the EU average.
The average for Northern Ireland is 83% and Scotland is 107.5% according to figures which were published on Monday.The average for Northern Ireland is 83% and Scotland is 107.5% according to figures which were published on Monday.
The overall figure for the UK is 110.7%.The overall figure for the UK is 110.7%.
A Welsh Government source said: "Since 2001, GDP per head in west Wales and the valleys has broadly kept pace with the UK as a whole. Today's GDP figures for West Wales and the Valleys are a significant blow to the Welsh Government's economic regeneration strategy over the past decade.
The financial crash and recession which followed undoubtedly hit these parts of Wales hard.
However the recession was on a global scale, and the figures provide a rolling comparison year on year for each region's performance across the EU.
It leaves little room for the government to ascribe the drop in figures to the impact of the economic downturn.
The boundaries of the West Wales and Valleys region were drawn up to ensure the poorest parts of the country qualified for the highest levels of EU aid.
It was a success at the time, but has made it difficult for successive administrations to explain why the GDP figure per head has refused to increase.
For example, Cardiff is outside the boundary but GDP per head among Valleys commuters who work in the city is not counted as an increase for the region itself.
To some extent the prosperity of Cardiff has reduced the statistical prosperity of the surrounding area.
But when European aid was first announced, it was hailed by politicians of all parties as a once in a generation chance to transform Wales' poorest areas.
Economic policy-makers a decade on are having a hard time in living up to those optimistic promises.
A Welsh government spokesperson said: "Since 2001, GDP per head in west Wales and the valleys has broadly kept pace with the UK as a whole.
"However, GDP is particularly misleading as it does not take account of the large flows of commuters outside of the area - a point fully recognised by the report."However, GDP is particularly misleading as it does not take account of the large flows of commuters outside of the area - a point fully recognised by the report.
"In order to get a clear picture of economic performance, it is necessary to look at a wide range of indicators, including employment rates and measures of income - where west Wales and the valleys has performed well.""In order to get a clear picture of economic performance, it is necessary to look at a wide range of indicators, including employment rates and measures of income - where west Wales and the valleys has performed well."
'Sliding backwards'
The Welsh Conservative spokesman on the economy, Nick Ramsey AM, said: "These are shocking figures laying bare the frailty of the Welsh economy.
"Welsh Ministers need to start working constructively with the UK government and the business community to create the conditions for economic growth, maximise Wales' appeal to potential investment and make Wales a more prosperous nation."
Plaid Cymru's economic spokesman Alun Ffred Jones AM commented: "While these figures are disappointing they are not surprising in light of the recession that hit Wales at that time.
"What these figures illustrate very clearly is how vulnerable the Welsh economy currently is at times of economic turmoil, particularly the west Wales and the Valleys region.
"Today's figures highlight just how important it is that government action is taken to address the systemic weaknesses in our economic structures."
The Liberal Democrat business spokeswoman Eluned Parrott AM said: "This is more evidence, if any were needed, that Labour have monumentally failed the people of Wales.The Liberal Democrat business spokeswoman Eluned Parrott AM said: "This is more evidence, if any were needed, that Labour have monumentally failed the people of Wales.
"Instead of learning lessons from previous rounds of European funding we appear to be sliding backwards."Instead of learning lessons from previous rounds of European funding we appear to be sliding backwards.
"Given the severe difficulties that Greece and other European economies have experienced in recent years, we might have expected to gain some ground against our neighbours, but sadly, yet again, Wales is propping up the bottom of the tables rather than leading the way. "Given the severe difficulties that Greece and other European economies have experienced in recent years, we might have expected to gain some ground against our neighbours, but sadly, yet again, Wales is propping up the bottom of the tables rather than leading the way."
"We must have a strong, pro-active vision for the future of west Wales and the valleys if those areas are to regain their place as the engine-room of the Welsh economy.
"There are some caveats to the statistics but this remains a strong indication of Labour's failure."