Wales faces historic worklessness crisis threatening Labour dominance

Wales is facing a significant worklessness crisis, with 25.6% of the population neither employed nor seeking work, and this rate climbs to 34.1% among those aged 50 to 64. The economic inactivity is largely attributed to the deindustrialisation of Wales, especially in former coal mining and steelmaking regions, leading to long-term sickness and poor health outcomes that reduce employment rates. This economic downturn is causing a major political shift, with Labour predicted to lose a substantial number of seats in the 2026 Senedd election, while Reform UK and Plaid Cymru gain ground. Meanwhile, in the broader UK political landscape, Mel Stride, a Conservative MP, has criticized both Labour and Nigel Farage's Reform UK party as threats to the nation's economic security, warning that their policies could lead to unfunded commitments and economic instability. Stride emphasized that only the Conservatives can be trusted to manage the economy effectively and reaffirmed their commitment to the pensions Triple Lock. Reform UK responded by accusing the Conservatives of economic mismanagement during their past governance.