Employment and the Economy

Back To My Plan

Decent Jobs, Fair Pay, and a Local Economy That Works

The people of Rhondda and Ogmore are no strangers to hard work. Work is at the heart of our community. It shapes our daily lives, provides for our families, and determines the prosperity of towns and villages up and down the Valleys.

At first glance, the figures seem promising – 94% of working-age residents are in some form of employment. But look closer, and the cracks appear. Rhondda and Ogmore ranks as the worst constituency in Wales for income deprivation, with 23% of people struggling to afford the basics.

That’s because the problem isn’t just unemployment – it’s underemployment. Jobs exist, but too many don’t pay enough to live on. Rhondda ranks 594th in the UK for gross weekly pay.

At the same time, one in four people claims out-of-work benefits, and another one in four lives with long-term sickness. As of September 2024, nearly 14,000 people were claiming Universal Credit. That’s 22.7% of the working-age population, far above the Welsh and UK averages.

Too Few Jobs, Too Few Businesses

One of the biggest challenges facing Rhondda and Ogmore is the sheer lack of businesses and job opportunities within the Valley. The Rhondda has the fewest number of businesses of any constituency in the UK and the second lowest job density – with only 46 jobs available for every 100 working-age residents.

The nature of work in Rhondda and Ogmore has changed dramatically over the years too. Gone are the days when the coal mines provided steady, but dangerous and unhealthy, employment. Today, the local economy is marked by a shortage of well-paid, secure jobs.

Across the UK, traditional high streets are struggling, and the rise of Amazon and online shopping has changed where people spend their money. While other towns have a retail hub drawing in shoppers, Rhondda and Ogmore lack a central shopping area that can compete. That means more money – and jobs – flowing outside the constituency. Treorchy and Tonypandy can provide the basics, but they can’t compete with cities like Cardiff or Swansea.

How Geography Shapes Our Economy

The geography of Rhondda and Ogmore plays a huge role in shaping economic opportunity. Our communities are spread across steep terrain, making it harder to develop strong local economic hubs as in other towns and cities.

Life gets tougher the further up the valley you go. In places like Ferndale and Pontycymer, nearly 20% of working-age residents claiming Universal Credit are unemployed. In Tonyrefail, that figure is closer to 10%. Distance from key employment centres – like Porth, Pontypridd, Bridgend and Cardiff – along with poor public transport, makes commuting difficult and expensive. That narrows opportunity and limits progression.

The Challenge Ahead

The challenges facing Rhondda and Ogmore are not new, but they are increasingly urgent. The area needs more businesses, better wages, and stronger local investment, because no one in our community should have to choose between working in low-paid, insecure jobs and making their home here or having to leave to live the life they want for themselves and their family.

A stronger local economy means ensuring investment reaches our towns and that businesses get the support they need to grow. It means tackling long-term sickness and making sure work pays a fair wage.

The people of Rhondda and Ogmore have always been resilient. But now, more than ever, we need a local plan for better jobs, stronger businesses, and a fairer future – because everyone deserves the dignity of decent work and a secure income.

What Needs to Change

We need more businesses, better wages, and local investment that creates good work close to home. That means:

  • Supporting start-ups, small businesses and social enterprises
  • Making it easier for local businesses to grow
  • Tackling long-term sickness and barriers to employment
  • Raising wages so work pays properly
  • Improving our transport and digital connectivity.
  • Celebrating and championing successful and well-run businesses.

My Targets for Our Local Economy

  • Reduce income deprivation to below 20%
  • Increase the number of businesses in the constituency by 2030.
  • Increase the number of jobs per resident by 2030.
  • Reduce the percentage of working-age UC claimants by 5% by 2030.
  • Close the gap in employment between the top and bottom of the valleys.
  • Cut the number of empty commercial properties.

Action from the Labour Government

  • £1.5 million investment over the next two years alone to encourage local economic growth
  • Raise the minimum wage and the biggest upgrade to workers rights for working people in a generation
  • Fix welfare so those who can work, do work, while protecting dignity and independence of those who can’t
  • Invest in green infrastructure and publicly owned energy
  • Reform the British Business Bank to support SMEs in Wales
  • End the injustice of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme
  • Double the number of youth centres and a guaranteed job for any young person out of work or education for 18 months.
  • Over half a billion pounds investment in Wales to boost our economic prospects

My Local Action Plan

  • Support and champion local business investment, including 10 major local projects
  • Deliver a business mentoring programme to grow small and medium businesses.
  • Work with local councils and Business Wales to host constituency workshops on business planning, finance, HR and growth.
  • Launch a benefits take up campaign to boost income support.
  • Deliver annual Job Fairs & CV support to help workers find well-paid jobs.
  • Support local efforts to encourage investment in Rhondda and Ogmore and encourage business creation.