Welsh Employment Rate Remains The Lowest in Britain

The employment rate in Wales remains the lowest in Britain, at 72.2%. The latest labour market statistics for Wales, covering May 2025, revealed that Economic inactivity remains the highest in Britain, at 24.2%. These are shocking figures for Wales.

Welsh Conservatives lay blame at the UK and Welsh Labour Governments at both ends of the M4, who have made life difficult for entrepreneurs and businesses across Wales.

Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Energy, Samuel Kurtz MS said:

“Under Labour, our economy is broken, both here in Wales and across the United Kingdom. They are demonstrating that you cannot tax your way to prosperity.

“The UK and Welsh Labour governments, operating from both ends of the M4, have worked hand in glove to make life harder for employers and employees alike. From increasing regulatory burdens to the jobs tax and the family farm tax, their policies have stifled growth and enterprise.

“Welsh Conservatives believe in a Wales that is open for business. We would remove the regulatory stranglehold on our economy by overhauling the current business rates system, abolishing rates for small businesses to revitalise our town centres, and axing the damaging Tourism Tax once and for all.”

What dreadful figures that Wales’ employment rate remains the lowest in Britain at 72.2% with a population of between 3 – 3.3 million. I think this does show that under Labour’s rule for the last 26 years that Wales is in fact broken. Welsh employers will be more than well aware that hikes in NI contributions and the Living Wage have had a devastating effect on employment. Living and working here in Wales I really don’t get the feeling that Wales is open for business in fact I struggle to think when it was. This situation cannot and mustn’t continue but what Labour in Wales and in the UK will do to address this problem remains to be seen.