Oral Answers to Questions

Owen Smith Excerpts

Wednesday 12th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jones]

As my hon. Friend points out, the issue of economic development is firmly in the hands of the Welsh Assembly Government, as indeed is training. That is entirely a matter for them, but I am bound to say that, given the current economic backdrop, I was surprised that the economic development budget was cut last week.

[Owen Smith (Pontypridd) (Lab)]

One of the flagship Government policies that was meant to help the private sector to grow in Wales was the national insurance holiday. That was meant to improve the prospects of 45,000 companies in Wales, but it has actually supported just 300—less than 0.7% of them. Will the Minister tell the Chancellor that it is not working in Wales and that he really needs to pull his finger out and help the 16,000 people who have found themselves on the dole as a result of this Government?

[Mr Jones]

The hon. Gentleman will find that the increase in unemployment is directly referable to the incompetent management of the economy by the Government whom he supported. Of course my right hon. Friend the Chancellor keeps such matters under constant review.