VALLEYS POORER THAN ROMANIA, POLAND, BULGARIA.....!!

I blame Thatcher...!!!!!!

====================================================
Large swathes of Wales are poorer than parts of Bulgaria, Romania and Poland and four-and-a-half times less prosperous than central London, according to latest official figures.

The European Union (EU) statistics also reveal the UK has Europe’s highest inequality of wealth in Europe.

The figures, issued by the EU’s statistical information body Eurostat, show Gross Domestic Product (GDP) throughout the EU for 2010 and the value of goods and services produced within each country per head of population.

Taking 100 as the EU average across all 27 member states, Wales as a whole had a GDP per head of 81. But while East Wales managed to hit the 100 average, West Wales and the Valleys languished at 70, the lowest figure in the UK. The highest, for Inner London, was 328.

At 70, West Wales and the Valleys was poorer than parts of Bulgaria, Romania and Poland, and than the whole of the Czech Republic (80), Slovenia (84) and Slovakia (84) – all countries that were part of the East European Communist bloc that collapsed more than 20 years ago.

The GDP figures have prompted a row between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Labour Government.

Plaid Treasury spokesman Jonathan Edwards said: “These shocking figures confirm that once again the British State is the most unequal in terms of wealth in the whole of Europe.

“My Carmarthen East and Dinefwr constituency in the West Wales and the Valleys region has a GDP figure which is 70% of the EU average while Inner London is a staggering 328%.

“West Wales and the Valleys is comparable to some regions in the former communist countries of Eastern Europe.

“It is important to remember that these figures are for 2010 – which was the end of the Labour Government.

“After 13 years in power they did nothing to tackle the massive regional inequality of wealth and clearly failed in their historic duty to redistribute wealth and tackle inequality.

“The ConDem Government is carrying on where Labour left off, and doing nothing to seriously redistribute wealth and economic opportunity away from London and the South East of England.

The Welsh economy and the other producing economies of the British State are being failed by the economic policies of the London parties that continue to fixate on high finance.”

Mr Edwards said that thanks to Ieuan Wyn Jones, Plaid’s economy minister during the Labour/ Plaid coalition that ran Wales from 2007 until 2011, Welsh economic performance showed a small increase in 2011 when figures were released by the Office for National Statistics at the end of last year. He added: “Unfortunately, it looks like his good work will be reversed or stagnated by the increased hardship suffered by many in Wales because of the destructive economic policies of the London parties.

“Due to the current Labour Government's indifference on the economy here in Wales, and the London parties' continued servitude to the cult of austerity, it is likely that we will soon see a sharp increase in the already highest levels of inequality of wealth in Europe.

“There is, however, hope for the Welsh economy and it includes the crucial need to devolve job-creating powers as recommended by the Government Commission on Devolution in Wales which had representation on it from all the main parties.

“Why are we still waiting for action? Plaid Cymru is the only party truly standing up for the Welsh economy with other necessary proposals such as a publicly-owned bank to lend to local industries and create jobs.

“I want to see the forthcoming Queen's Speech include a Wealth Equalisation Bill, tasked with converging wealth levels across the British State. For as long as Wales is part of the UK it must be made to work in our interests. These wealth figures are a damning indictment of the economic failures of unionism.

“Wales, its people and its economy, certainly cannot afford to wait.”

A Welsh Government source responded: “Whether in elections or opinion polls, the people of Wales overwhelmingly endorse Welsh Labour’s approach to the economy.

“The people know that, as a Government, we’re doing all we can to create more jobs and boost economic growth.

“Our Business Start-up programme has helped establish over 4,980 new enterprises and created more than 10,500 jobs, with 12,000 more jobs to be created by June 2015. Our Jobs Growth Wales programme helps business grow by supporting them to take on young people and recently we announced an extra £30m to help Welsh businesses grow.

“Contrast this to Plaid's lacklustre and disjointed economic policies and it’s easy to understand why voters don’t take Plaid Cymru seriously.”

Read more: Wales Online http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales ... z2PysOyck4

With this in mind, Why do valleys people raise their kids in the place? Get a transfer to Ely or something mun.

How can you blame Thatcher?

These wealth figures are a damning indictment of the economic failures of unionism.

Thatcher hated the unions. You haven't got a clue.

The WAG has had billions from Europe to help resolve this problem but hey-ho lets blame Thatcher!!!

How can you blame Thatcher?

These wealth figures are a damning indictment of the economic failures of unionism.

Thatcher hated the unions. You haven't got a clue.

It was topical......!

With this in mind, Why do valleys people raise their kids in the place? Get a transfer to Ely or something mun.

Has to be a downgrade.

The WAG has had billions from Europe to help resolve this problem but hey-ho lets blame Thatcher!!!

Thinking about it......I blame you!!!

You're a valley boy.....should be helping your bretheren more.

But if you want to be serious. How can the likes of UK Govt. Wales Govt, Chamber of Commerce, agencies come up with....
1. A plan
2. Funding

......for the Valleys when Cardiff takes up all service sector growth and manufacturing is less and less significant. Would metro links from RCT, Blaina Gwent help in that locals would continue living in the valley communities (taking their earnings with them to spend locallY) or are we resigned to people looking to move out which leaves a narrowing spiral?

Seems there is hopelessness in some areas in the valleys whilst other areas do pretty well. The whole area is so diverse and polarised. Do we do enough to advertise to UK PLC / Europe PLC what we have?? Fabulously talented and commited workforce. Low hard costs....sadly initially including wages relative to other regions. Improving infrasructure. Links to North and South. Sea ports. Airport opportunity which WILL improve.

It's so sad that we allow and see genuine povity in our locality.

Funding?

The UK gives 12 billion to the EU.

We get 9 back.

Maybe leave the EU?

Instead of blaming Thatcher and the United Kingdom how about we take responsibility for ourselves? I dread to think what some plaid cymru Herbert would have done in charge.

The day plaid cymru take control of the WAG is the day this country well and truly goes to the dogs. Do you think some backward hambone nationalist will care about English speaking Rhondda? Think again, the money will be ploughed into West and North Wales and they will flood South Wales with cheap migrant workers.

The problem with Wales is the people, not anyone else. We are self pitying and pathetic who blame everything on the English for crimes that took place long before we were born.

Some parts of Cardiff are no better than The Valleys. Some very successful business people living there. Yes some parts are are deprived but same goes for Cardiff??

Some parts of Cardiff are no better than The Valleys. Some very successful business people living there. Yes some parts are are deprived but same goes for Cardiff??

Here here. People are very quick to run the valleys down, often Valley people themselves. It's not as deprived as people say it is and too many use the excuse "I am from the Valleys thererfore I can't work because there isn't any jobs" which is nonsense. Its a great place and so many are put off living there because of the stigma.

Anyway I have a game of football to attend.

Instead of blaming Thatcher and the United Kingdom how about we take responsibility for ourselves? I dread to think what some plaid cymru Herbert would have done in charge.

The day plaid cymru take control of the WAG is the day this country well and truly goes to the dogs. Do you think some backward hambone nationalist will care about English speaking Rhondda? Think again, the money will be ploughed into West and North Wales and they will flood South Wales with cheap migrant workers.

The problem with Wales is the people, not anyone else. We are self pitying and pathetic who blame everything on the English for crimes that took place long before we were born.

Sorry, ol' timer. I don't see that. Maybe true of old. Maybe even 5 years ago. But whereas the people of South Wales generally, walked around with their chin in their chest, it HAS changed. Cardiffians are certainly more able to boast about what the city has. Actually, the Millennium Stadium play off and cup finals brought people to open heir eyes to what we had to offer. Newport, for all it's problems. is one of the UK's top locations for business start ups. Pockets of the valleys are vibrant, co-ordinated and going forward.

We are held back by steriotypical opinion such as yours.

I'm no Plaid supporter....even if a left leaner, I'm no Nationalist per se. Want to see my region and country do well. Big up though to the bird who heads Plaid. Says it like it is ....and I can't see her allowing an imbalnace of euros going north. Either way, valleys and north Wales are both in need of help.

Some parts of Cardiff are no better than The Valleys. Some very successful business people living there. Yes some parts are are deprived but same goes for Cardiff??

Here here. People are very quick to run the valleys down, often Valley people themselves. It's not as deprived as people say it is and too many use the excuse "I am from the Valleys thererfore I can't work because there isn't any jobs" which is nonsense. Its a great place and so many are put off living there because of the stigma.

Anyway I have a game of football to attend.

Valley folk can stick up for themselves. I'm not running them down. Generally, the valley folk are hardy, versatile, committed and NOT self pitying. Entitled to ask for help when they see monies going to other, less deserving regions.

The WAG has had billions from Europe to help resolve this problem but hey-ho lets blame Thatcher!!!

Hey-Ho?.......you sound like a mining dwarf.