Speaking during the Debate on Zero Hour Contracts, I  challenged the Minister for Skills and Science over why Wales has the highest percentage of employees not on permanent contracts amongst the 12 UK nations and regions. After almost 18 years in Welsh Government, Labour has left Wales with the highest levels of under employment across the 12 UK nations and regions.

With numbers of working age people in Wales not in employment back up to 520,000 and Wales remaining at the bottom of the UK prosperity league table, their rhetoric about social justice is empty.

In contrast, the current Taylor Review on Modern Employment Practices, commissioned by the UK Government, should be welcomed. As the independent Chair, Matthew Taylor, states “the most important part of our process is getting out and about to talk to businesses and workers across Britain about their experiences of modern work. As well as making specific recommendations I hope the review will promote a national conversation and explore how we can all contribute to work that provides opportunity, fairness and dignity”.

The ‘Vision for North Wales’ published by the Welsh Government’s Economy Secretary is little more than a smokescreen. It again ignores the North Wales Economic Ambition Board’s call in the  ‘Growth Vision for the Economy of North Wales’ for the devolution of powers by the Welsh Government to North Wales , backed by local government, business, universitities and colleges in our region. North Wales has told the Welsh Government what action is required to boost our region’s economy, jobs and productivity, and the Welsh Government should be listening, not taking control.  

It was great to host the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, in North Wales,  and to listen to older people during our visits to both Age Connects North Wales Central Older People’s Forum in Ruthin and Cartrefi Conwy’s Extra Care Lite scheme in Llandudno. Discussions focussed on empowering people, not just doing things for them.

Other North Wales engagements included visits to the new Vision Support Sight Loss Centre in Prestatyn, and Theatr Clwyd’s excellent production ‘Skylight’.

Assembly engagements included  discussing the ‘North Wales Buy With Confidence’ Trading Standards’ Approved Trader Scheme with Lead Officers from Wrexham and Anglesey, and answering questions from visiting Bangor University Law students.

If you need my help, please email mark.isherwood@assembly.wales or ring 0300 200 7217.