Industrial Strategy lacks vision

Industrial Strategy lacks vision

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have criticised the UK Government’s industrial strategy white paper for failing to provide the ambitious vision the Welsh economy needs.

With productivity 19% lower than the UK average, poverty at 23% and economic growth stagnating, the industrial strategy was a golden opportunity to set out a plan to transform the Welsh economy. Instead we have a plan that merely papers over the cracks and fails to take the bold steps needed to ensure prosperity across Wales.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats would give the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon the go ahead, develop tailored growth deals for North and Mid Wales, support Wales’ growing digital economy and fintech sectors and call for Wales to be given more economic tools to decide its own destiny.

Commenting, Welsh Lib Dem Leader Jane Dodds said;

“This strategy was the UK Government’s chance to take real action to improve the Welsh economy, unfortunately it’s all talk and no substance. The Government talk about clean growth whilst continuing to refuse to give the go-ahead to the Swansea Tidal Lagoon and discuss investing in all areas of the UK whilst cancelling crucial investment in Welsh railways. People across Wales will rightly be asking the Government what this strategy will actually do for their communities.”

“Unlike the Government the Welsh Liberal Democrats have an ambitious vision for the Welsh economy. We’d make the UK a world leader in green energy by giving the green light to the Swansea Tidal Lagoon, develop comprehensive growth deals for North and Mid Wales, fight poverty in every corner of Wales and call for Wales to be given the powers it needs to transform its economy. Only the Welsh Liberal Democrats have the ideas needed to secure opportunity for Wales.”

“If the Government are serious about developing Wales’ industry and supporting cutting-edge businesses they don’t need a 255-page document, they need an exit from Brexit. Brexit will limit access to vital European markets for firms like Airbus and Tata, end Wales’ participation in European research and innovation programmes and restrict Wales’ ability to attract the workforce and investment needed to compete in the global economy. The people must be given the final say on the Brexit deal.”