Ed Miliband hails Welsh economy

Labour leader Ed Miliband has said Prime Minister David Cameron would do well to follow the Welsh Government's example in stimulating the economy.

Mr Miliband visited the Ford Engine plant in Bridgend, South Wales, today - taking part in a question-and-answer session with some of the factory's 2,000 workers.

He said that getting the UK's economy moving should not just be about finance, but supporting the manufacturing industry.

He praised the actions of the Welsh Government, pointing to funding to create 4,000 training opportunities for young people.

"We have got to get growth going because the prospects do not look good," he said.

"There are plenty of things which can and should be done, like giving incentives to firms to take on extra workers.

"There is one million young people out of work, and instead of sitting on his hands the Prime Minister should be taking action."

He said the Welsh Government was doing more to help young people back into work than their Conservative-Liberal Democrat counterparts in power in Westminster.

"The UK Government has stuck too rigidly to its plan and left no room for manoeuvre," he added. "It seems to me they are starting to believe their own propaganda."

However, Mr Miliband expressed concern that Carwyn Jones' administration was having its hands "tied" by Westminster.

"The First Minister is being held back," said Mr Miliband.

"His hands are tied by a government in Westminster that's making all kinds of decisions about our economy which I think are the wrong decisions."

He said Labour agreed the deficit needed to be brought down but progress would not be made until more jobs were created and workers given more support.

PA