Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Job Creation

Wednesday 22 April 2026 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Creating high quality jobs across Wales is a priority for the Government
  • Wales attracted 65 new foreign direct investment projects creating nearly 2500 jobs in 2024-25
  • Unemployment and youth unemployment in Wales are lower than the UK average

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Feryal Clark Lab Enfield North
Employment Wales
Context

The MP highlighted concerns about job creation efforts, particularly emphasizing Labour's stance on creating new jobs in key sectors.

Question

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help create new jobs in Wales?

Answer from Jo Stevens

Creating high-quality jobs across Wales is a priority for this Government. Wales is now punching above its weight in attracting investment, with 65 new foreign direct investment projects creating nearly 2,500 jobs in 2024-25. That includes more than 500 jobs in north Wales from Eren Holding, Knauf Insulation and Kellogg's, alongside hundreds more in south Wales driven by Vishay's £250 million semiconductor cluster investment.

Answered
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Q2 Feryal Clark Lab Enfield North
Economy Employment Wales
Context

The MP emphasized Labour's focus on creating jobs in tech, defence, green industries, and other sectors.

Question

Can the Secretary of State update the House on the new jobs being created in Wales and the opportunities that will provide for every family?

Answer from Jo Stevens

I thank my hon. Friend for recognising the scale of the opportunities and new jobs that this Government are creating in Wales and across the UK. Whether it is 3,000 jobs in new nuclear, 5,000 jobs in floating offshore wind, 8,000 jobs in our two AI growth zones, 12,0 12,000 jobs with our historic £14 billion commitment for Welsh rail, or 25, 25,000 jobs in our freeports and investment zones, we are delivering generational change for people in Wales.

Answered
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Q3 Rebecca Smith Con South West Devon
Economy Employment
Context

The MP highlighted the issue of young people not in education, employment or training and criticised Labour's policies as detrimental to job creation.

Question

In Wales, the south-west and across the UK, nearly 1 million young people are not in education, employment or training. Labour's jobs tax, failed welfare reforms and damaging energy policies will worsen that crisis. Does the Minister recognise that when the Labour Government's first response to any crisis is to tax business, businesses stop hiring, and it is young people in Wales who suffer most?

Answer from Jo Stevens

The hon. Lady might like to know that unemployment in Wales is lower than the UK average and has fallen since this time last year. Youth unemployment is also lower than the UK average, which shows that our plan to boost the Welsh economy is working. We are creating jobs and helping people into them right across Wales.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The negative impact of Labour's policies on youth unemployment

How: Youth Unemployment Is Lower Than The Uk Average

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Q4 Mims Davies Con East Grinstead and Uckfield
Defence Wales
Context

The MP discussed the importance of NATO membership for defence jobs in Wales, criticising opposition parties' stances.

Question

The bedrock of our country's defence rests on our crucial membership of NATO. The defence industry in Wales employs more than 15,000 people in well-paid and important roles. Yet the separatist Plaid, along with the Greens, opposes full membership of this deterrent, while Reform bizarrely claims all sorts of things like blaming NATO for provoking the war in Ukraine. Will the Secretary of State stand up for NATO, for more Welsh defence jobs and for the thousands in Welsh communities who rely on growing employment in this crucial sector?

Answer from Jo Stevens

That is exactly what we are doing. I refer the hon. Lady to the earlier answers to defence questions.

Not addressed: Commitment to standing up for NATO and supporting Welsh defence jobs

How: Referencing Earlier Answers

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