Outward migration of young people ‘sapping life from Welsh communities’

The Plaid Cymru Assembly Group today led a debate on young people and communities citing new figures showing that thousands of young people between the ages of 15 and 29 have left their local authority areas during the last decade.

Mid and West AM, Simon Thomas who will open and close the debate for Plaid Cymru, said that the so-called “brain drain” was one of the greatest social, economic and cultural problems facing Wales.

He added that over the last decade, the four local authorities in the west – Ynys Mon, Gwynedd, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire – had seen 117,000 young people aged 15-29 leave either to other parts of Wales or the UK.

The Plaid Cymru AM noted that the trend was “sapping life from Welsh communities” and urged the Labour Welsh Government to use all the tools at its disposal to reverse it.

Speaking in the Senedd chamber Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Simon Thomas AM said:

“New figures published last week lay bare the problem of outward migration from Welsh communities.

“The Labour Government in Wales has presided over a decade of decline which has seen thousands of young people leave their communities – either to other parts of the country or elsewhere in the UK.

“This trend saps life from our communities as young people feel forced to move away to find adequate housing, education or employment.

“Since 2005, a staggering 117,000 young people between 15-29 years old have left their communities in the west – Ynys Mon, Gwynedd, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire.

“This age bracket represents 55% of all individuals who have left these local authorities. This problem is not isolated to the west with the same figure for Valleys communities standing at 42%.

“This all-Wales problem requires a all-Wales solution. That is why we’re urging the Labour Government to use all the tools at its disposal to reverse this worrying trend.

“These measures should include enhancing digital and transport infrastructure, locating and relocating existing and new national institutions in areas in Wales which require greater job opportunities, and to respond positively to the Diamond Review’s recommendations to incentivise students who study away to return to Wales after graduation.

“If our language, economy and communities are to enjoy a viable and prosperous future, this is a problem which must be addressed without delay.”

Mid and West AM, Mr Thomas added:

One successful solution that Plaid has put forward to keep young people in our rural areas is by securing £6m for a new grant scheme to help young farmers in Wales get on their feet.

“Currently the average age of farmers in Wales is over 60 – just three per cent are under 35.

“To secure the future of the industry in the teeth of the challenge of Brexit, more young entrants are needed.”

The grant will provide £40,000 to 150 farmers as part of a Young People into Agriculture Scheme.

Applicants must be under 40 years old on 1 April and must be looking to establish a new business or develop an existing one.