WELSH Labour held a high-level meeting today on the future of the West Wales economy. 

Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said that Welsh Labour’s economic plan for the region would lock in a better off future for people. He was joined by Labour West Wales MPs Nick Ainger and Nia Griffith, and Assembly Regeneration Minister Leighton Andrews.

West Wales will be a crucial election battleground in the general election and local elections, with Labour seeking to cement its position as the party that can be trusted to create jobs and quality public services in the region.

Labour’s economic plan for west Wales includes:

"Welsh Labour is serious about securing a prosperous economic future for West Wales.

"We know in Welsh Labour that we have to earn our right to be the natural party of people in the region. We have to prove to people that we are still the party that can be trusted to create quality jobs and public services.

"With Labour, West Wales has an exciting future ahead, with better jobs and stronger communities delivering an even better quality of life for people.

"The partnership between Gordon Brown’s government in Westminster and Rhodri Morgan’s government in the Assembly will continue to deliver quality jobs and a real future. We will lock in a better off future for West Wales. The alternative is a lightweight Tory party that cannot be trusted with the economy."

"West Wales has prospered since Labour came to power and has been the success story of the Welsh economy. Record investment from our Assembly Government and vital, Labour-won European funding have delivered real gains.

"Our challenge is to continue to build prosperity from the ground up, creating better off communities, supporting people to get to work and creating the kind of quality, skilled jobs that people deserve."

Labour Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP NICK AINGER said:

"My constituency's economy has been transformed with Labour.

Under the Tories we were one of the country's worst job blackspots. Now, thanks to major investment and record growth of new small businesses, we have some of the lowest unemployment in the UK.

"New investment, backed by Assembly and European funds, has brought over 400 new call centre jobs, new aerospace jobs, a green energy technium, 2 LNG terminals and major road upgrades.

The new confidence in the local economy has seen a big expansion in small businesses and the retail sector.

"Bluestone, a £110m tourism project, has 300 construction workers on site and after it opens in June 2008, will employ 600 permanent staff. It will create a year-round tourist trade. Many local businesses will benefit, including farmers supplying biofuel for energy in the project.

"With more investment on the way, we have now created a stable economy in West Wales with high employment bringing real opportunities to our talented young people to stay and prosper in their local communities."

Labour Llanelli MP NIA GRIFFITH said:

"Labour has delivered for the Llanelli economy. We have recently welcomed some of the best news the constituency has experienced for many years.

"The Connaught car plant will create over 200 quality jobs, that will give local youngsters something to aim for. The new performance engineering technium in Dafen will supply quality innovation to support the car and aerospace industries, and attract in other employers.

"The Cross Hands food park is promoting and securing local produce and helping local farmers and we now have the infrastructure ready to develop the Burry Port industrial park, again bringing jobs closer to where people live."

Welsh Labour has delivered record low unemployment for West Wales, with 10 years of stability and prosperity. Young people now have the opportunity to pursue their careers in West Wales. And Labour investment in Transport and infrastructure now means it is easier than ever before for people to get to work.

Welsh Labour has:

Welsh Labour is proud of its record. But there is more left to do. We will continue investing in our economy, ensuring more jobs and a strong future for all in West Wales.

In Llanelli, local people have benefited from the creation of amazon.co.uk jobs, which is becoming a major employer for the region. Labour will build on the success of attracting the 200+ job Connaught car factory, by developing performance engineering expertise through the new Dafen Technium. The Labour / independent County Council is committed to the development the site of the Old Castle Work site. Labour will continue to support the Cross Hands food park, supporting the creation of new restaurants and development.

In Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Labour will build on the job creation of the LNG development, which nears completion. Labour supports the proposed new 2,000 mega-watt gas-fired power station in Pembroke as a vital resource for the West Wales economy. Labour will also deliver the new alternative energy technium in Pembroke Dock. We support the development of Bluestone, which will create 600 jobs locally. Labour believes the development will provide an opportunity for small businesses to flourish. We are proud that Pembrokeshire has the highest rate of business start-ups per capita in the UK. The redevelopment of Carmarthen town offers an exciting opportunity for local regeneration, with new retail development attracting more investment into the town and creating more prosperity. Labour will continue to support local agriculture, working with farmers to both support local produce and promoting the production of produce aimed at market demand. We believe the new rag worm farm Dragon Baits, offers an exciting new prospect for the local agricultural economy.

In addition, Labour will: