Half The Population Of Wales Seems To Work For The Assembly Or In Local Government

[The Masked Tulip]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/06/09/lack-of-top-earners-holding-wales-back-91466-26615874/

THE Welsh economy is lagging behind other parts of the UK because of a dearth of high-earning entrepreneurial talent, it was claimed last night.

Almost 90% of households in Wales get by on a combined net income of between £400 and £500 a week, according to data from the Office for National Statistics, with only a “negligible” number of households earning above £650.

Although the figures mean levels of inequality here are not as acute as in places like London and the south-east of England, critics say they reveal a near total absence of wealth creators in the Welsh economy.

Director of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) in Wales David Rosser said all economies need their share of “stars” to prosper, but Wales desperately needs more figures like the nation’s first billionaire Sir Terry Matthews and JoJo Maman Bébé founder Laura Tenison.

Mr Rosser added: “Generally it’s a good thing to have a lower level of inequality in incomes, but actually we need the outliers at the top end.

“By growing successful businesses they are creating serious wealth for themselves, but at the same time creating employment opportunities and wealth for others.

“Equality’s a good thing, but we need the stars too.”

Ms Tenison last night argued that the public sector is far too large in Wales – and warned of a worrying lack of entrepreneurship in the nation’s psyche.

She said: “The fact that more than half the population of Wales seems to work for the Assembly or in local government doesn’t help either.

“We have a higher rate of people employed in public service than in other countries in the UK.”

The findings, which provide a snapshot of contemporary Wales, also revealed the nation is home to one of the UK’s highest proportions of over-50s in the population – which is likely to place extra burden on public services in future.

And more children in Wales live in households where nobody works than the other UK regions, according to the data.

[Deckard]

What's keeping you in Wales TMT - if you don't mind my asking?

[Mal Volio]

Edit, having read it again

Non-story. Someone exaggerating for effect

Edited June 9, 2010 by Mal Volio

[SarahBell]

During the election the said 40% of jobs in wales are govt and 30% in rest of england are

[The Masked Tulip]

Edit, having read it again

Non-story. Someone exaggerating for effect

I am sorry - I thought the bold would add effect!

[righttoleech]

Look on the bright side. It must be easier psychologically to be without a job in Wales. Here in London the streets are paved with gold and everyone is rich.......except me.

[The Masked Tulip]

What's keeping you in Wales TMT - if you don't mind my asking?

That is a good question and one I have been asking myself a lot in recent years.

I love the countryside around where I live but, in terms of work and indeed relationships, it is not really me. I think a big part of it is that my Father came here after WW2, met my Mum and settled - part of me looks to my Welsh roots, part of me does not wish to go elsewhere and be rootless, part of me.

If you do not fit into the stereotypical 'Welsh role' a sizeable section of Wales remind you of it constantly. I am proud of being Welsh but to many I am not Welsh - and, boy, don't they let you know it.

I am lucky though - went through a really rotten last few years and a small group of really good people/friends helped me through it... and that is priceless.

But your question is a good one and one that is constantly on my mind.

[Deckard]

That is a good question and one I have been asking myself a lot in recent years.

I love the countryside around where I live but, in terms of work and indeed relationships, it is not really me. I think a big part of it is that my Father came here after WW2, met my Mum and settled - part of me looks to my Welsh roots, part of me does not wish to go elsewhere and be rootless, part of me.

If you do not fit into the stereotypical 'Welsh role' a sizeable section of Wales remind you of it constantly. I am proud of being Welsh but to many I am not Welsh - and, boy, don't they let you know it.

I am lucky though - went through a really rotten last few years and a small group of really good people/friends helped me through it... and that is priceless.

But your question is a good one and one that is constantly on my mind.

My advice is: don't be afraid of change.

Consider your priorities at this particular stage in your life, then research locations where those priorities might be better served than Wales.

Select the best location accordingly and take a leap of faith - you only live once, remember.

If it doesn't work out, you can always return to Wales - with a lot more experience and a few stories to tell.

At some point you have to draw the line, stop whingeing and vote with your feet

[The Masked Tulip]

My advice is: don't be afraid of change.

Consider your priorities at this particular stage in your life, then research locations where those priorities might be better served than Wales.

Select the best location accordingly and take a leap of faith - you only live once, remember.

If it doesn't work out, you can always return to Wales - with a lot more experience and a few stories to tell.

At some point you have to draw the line, stop whingeing and vote with your feet

Yes, very good advice and, as I say, something that has been on my mind a great deal of late.

[Dave Spart]

I was about to write say Wales lacks a culture of enterprise then I read the bold comments in the OP.

Beat me to it!

[TheCountOfNowhere]

Is the other 50% unemployed ?

[evictee]

Edit, having read it again

Non-story. Someone exaggerating for effect

I doesn't seem like an exaggeration to me. I look around my friends and family in South Wales and about three quarters of them are employed directly by the public sector, and most of the remainder have mainly public sector organisations as clients (not to mention public sector employee customers). It's shocking. No wonder Cardiff house prices are now only 6% off their August 2007 peak. Apart from some auction bargains for a few lucky developers the crash may as well not have happened here. Thoroughly depressing.

[The Masked Tulip]

The luvvies are cheesed off this morning - The Govt has stopped a big fat cheque going to ITV Wales that Labour promised for the ITV Wales News.

Virtually no one watches it but the politicians love being interviewed as the make-up, lights and cameras make them feel important.... so when ITV made it known that they were going to pull out of a station virtually no one watches Labour jumped in with a huge cheque of your taxes... but the Govt announced yesterday they are not handing over the dosh and would prefer to encourage new companies to be set up which are viable...

Minister pulls the plug on independent TV news plan

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/06/09/minister-pulls-the-plug-on-independent-tv-news-plan-91466-26615639/

Hopefully it will be the start of cutting back on the Taffia control of Wales which, someday, may lead to a more entrepreneurial culture.

[blankster]

During the election the said 40% of jobs in wales are govt and 30% in rest of england are

Was that a deliberate slip or Freudian? England is not part of Wales and hasn't been for over 1000 years!

[The Masked Tulip]

I doesn't seem like an exaggeration to me. I look around my friends and family in South Wales and about three quarters of them are employed directly by the public sector, and most of the remainder have mainly public sector organisations as clients (not to mention public sector employee customers). It's shocking. No wonder Cardiff house prices are now only 6% off their August 2007 peak. Apart from some auction bargains for a few lucky developers the crash may as well not have happened here. Thoroughly depressing.

+1

And this is true right across Wales hence why there has been no drop in Welsh house prices - the vast majority of people in Wales are seemingly oblivious to the recession as most are in 'safe' PS jobs.

[TheCountOfNowhere]

count,technically,they're on incapacity.so,no.

Good Point. Thank God for Labour otherwise we'd have so many unemployed people.

[Caius]

In Wales, public spending per capita is 112% of the UK average. In London, it's 115%. Maybe that's why house prices in London are so stubbornly high.

Oh yes.....glad to see that Masked Tulip is considering ******* off as I advised her to a couple of weeks ago since she has such a downer on the country which is not incidentally a part of England.

Edited June 9, 2010 by Caius

[Deckard]

Oh yes.....glad to see that Masked Tulip is considering ******* off as I advised her to a couple of weeks ago since she has such a downer on the country which is not incidentally a part of England.

Newbies... tsk tsk

[Mal Volio]

I doesn't seem like an exaggeration to me.

sorry, but it does to me

I'd like to see some actual numbers on this. All else is supposition

[Guest_James Toney_*]

+1

And this is true right across Wales hence why there has been no drop in Welsh house prices - the vast majority of people in Wales are seemingly oblivious to the recession as most are in 'safe' PS jobs.

well soon there may not be any sake PS jobs, lets hope so MT

[Caius]

well soon there may not be any sake PS jobs, lets hope so MT

Yes I agree. I know this guy whose just bought a 1 bed shoe-box in Clapham for £265 k. I think I'll be able to pick up something similar for under 50% in the not too distant future.....if I wanted to live in that shit hole of course.

[Oliver Sutton]

I know someone who recently went to Patagonia and see the Welsh Community there.

They were amazed in that he was the first Welsh person they'd ever met who didn't work for the government.

[lets get it right]

I think I'll be able to pick up something similar for under 50% in the not too distant future.....

Suddenly I hear the Everly Brothers singing .... "Dree ... eee..eee.ee aams, dreams, dreams dreams, Dree ... eee..eee.ee aams ..."

[ken_ichikawa]

My advice is: don't be afraid of change.

Consider your priorities at this particular stage in your life, then research locations where those priorities might be better served than Wales.

Select the best location accordingly and take a leap of faith - you only live once, remember.

If it doesn't work out, you can always return to Wales - with a lot more experience and a few stories to tell.

At some point you have to draw the line, stop whingeing and vote with your feet

Lazarus Long in Time enough for Love was like this in that he was never afraid to just pack up and leave at the drop of a hat. Although he is a fictional character I found he is a good example of how we're all going to have to be in the future.

[Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz]

Only 50%? I thought 70% of the economy, or more, was public spending dependent.