Figures show Welsh construction sector is crumbling at its foundations - Randerson

12.00.00am GMT Thu 15th Jan 2009

Welsh Lib Dem Shadow Economy Minister, Jenny Randerson AM has called for urgent stimulation of Welsh Construction after Government figures showed huge falls compared to the rest of the UK.

Latest government figures show that in the third quarter of 2008, construction output fell by a staggering 8.4% compared to a UK fall of only 0.8%. This means that over the last four quarters, total Welsh output fell by a total of 3% compared to a healthy 2.3% rise across the UK.

Jenny Randerson said: "These figures demonstrate the huge human and economic impact of the recession in Wales and raise serious questions about why Wales seems to be suffering even more than the rest of the UK.

"Behind these figures there are thousands of families who rely on the construction sector. Thousands of people have been laid off, apprenticeships have been cancelled and people have been put on the dole.

"The Assembly Government needs to consider an urgent stimulus package for construction. They could start by spending some of the tens of millions of pounds they have stashed away for the next election year. By spending this money on capital projects, they would provide a much needed boost for construction as well as upgrading some of the terrible buildings that children are taught in and patients are treated in.

"These figures make a mockery of claims that Wales is weathering the storm well. For thousands of families, that is simply not the case."

Notes:

Source: Statswales/WAG statistical release

http://wales.gov.uk/docs/statistics/2009/090115sdr72009en.pdf?lang=en