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Benefit claim town 'needs funds' Benefit claim town 'needs funds'
(about 22 hours later)
The area with the highest ratio of long-term benefit claimants in the UK is being failed by the Welsh Assembly Government, it is claimed.The area with the highest ratio of long-term benefit claimants in the UK is being failed by the Welsh Assembly Government, it is claimed.
Merthyr Council's Jeff Edwards said low population meant funding was small, but its money should be based on need.Merthyr Council's Jeff Edwards said low population meant funding was small, but its money should be based on need.
The assembly government said it made deprivation provision in extra grants.The assembly government said it made deprivation provision in extra grants.
Merthyr is one of five south Wales areas in a top 10 of councils with the highest percentage of people on benefits for more than five years.Merthyr is one of five south Wales areas in a top 10 of councils with the highest percentage of people on benefits for more than five years.
The other south Wales regions are Blaenau Gwent, Neath Port Talbot, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Caerphilly.The other south Wales regions are Blaenau Gwent, Neath Port Talbot, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Caerphilly.
Mr Edwards, who is Merthyr Council's board member for economic development and regeneration, said the figures reflected the fact that big industries like iron and coal had died off in the region.Mr Edwards, who is Merthyr Council's board member for economic development and regeneration, said the figures reflected the fact that big industries like iron and coal had died off in the region.
If we did not get Objective One funding from Europe, our problem would be even more serious Jeff Edwards, Merthyr Tydfil councilIf we did not get Objective One funding from Europe, our problem would be even more serious Jeff Edwards, Merthyr Tydfil council
He denied that the authority was resigned to long-term benefit claimants, and said the authority had worked hard to attract new service industries to the region like T-Mobile, as well as Cyfartha Retail Park and the Welsh Assembly Government building. He denied that the authority was resigned to long-term benefit claimants, and said the authority had worked hard to attract new service industries to the region like T-Mobile, as well as Cyfarthfa Retail Park and the Welsh Assembly Government building.
But these mostly attracted younger employees rather than the core group of long-term benefit claimants, he said.But these mostly attracted younger employees rather than the core group of long-term benefit claimants, he said.
"I think this figure consists largely of a core group of people, who are older and who used to work in the mining industry but because of sickness or a lack of transport, or even a loss in confidence, are unable to take on new work," said Mr Edwards."I think this figure consists largely of a core group of people, who are older and who used to work in the mining industry but because of sickness or a lack of transport, or even a loss in confidence, are unable to take on new work," said Mr Edwards.
"We have got a number of schemes and European initiatives to look at re-skilling people who have been on benefits for a long time."We have got a number of schemes and European initiatives to look at re-skilling people who have been on benefits for a long time.
LONG-TERM BENEFIT CLAIMANTS Merthyr Tydfil 16.8%Easington, Co Durham 16%Blaenau Gwent 15.2%Knowsley, Merseyside 14.5%Neath Port Talbot 14.3%Rhondda Cynon Taf 13.5%Liverpool 13.3%Glasgow City 13.2%Caerphilly 13.1%Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria 11.7% Source: Press AssociationLONG-TERM BENEFIT CLAIMANTS Merthyr Tydfil 16.8%Easington, Co Durham 16%Blaenau Gwent 15.2%Knowsley, Merseyside 14.5%Neath Port Talbot 14.3%Rhondda Cynon Taf 13.5%Liverpool 13.3%Glasgow City 13.2%Caerphilly 13.1%Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria 11.7% Source: Press Association
"These schemes also try to help them with their self-esteem and their confidence to help them back into the employment market.""These schemes also try to help them with their self-esteem and their confidence to help them back into the employment market."
He cited the Wheels To Work scheme as one which had benefited "thousands" of unemployed people in Merthyr.He cited the Wheels To Work scheme as one which had benefited "thousands" of unemployed people in Merthyr.
But he said the authority needed more investment and support from the assembly government into regeneration projects, infrastructure and specialist schemes to help them bring claimants off benefits.But he said the authority needed more investment and support from the assembly government into regeneration projects, infrastructure and specialist schemes to help them bring claimants off benefits.
"The challenges we have got are great," he said."The challenges we have got are great," he said.
"The need is far greater in the valleys and the money from the Welsh Assembly Government should reflect this. The council has been arguing this for a long time."The need is far greater in the valleys and the money from the Welsh Assembly Government should reflect this. The council has been arguing this for a long time.
"If we did not get Objective One funding from Europe, our problem would be even more serious.""If we did not get Objective One funding from Europe, our problem would be even more serious."
A spokesman for the Welsh Assembly Government said provision for deprivation was made in the formula for distributing grants to all 22 local authorities in Wales.A spokesman for the Welsh Assembly Government said provision for deprivation was made in the formula for distributing grants to all 22 local authorities in Wales.
"In addition, Merthyr Tydfil benefits from a separate grant paid to local authorities in Wales," he said."In addition, Merthyr Tydfil benefits from a separate grant paid to local authorities in Wales," he said.
"Merthyr Tydfil benefits from Communities First funding aimed at the most deprived communities in Wales and is set to benefit from investment in the transport infrastructure through the Heads of Valleys scheme.""Merthyr Tydfil benefits from Communities First funding aimed at the most deprived communities in Wales and is set to benefit from investment in the transport infrastructure through the Heads of Valleys scheme."