To think wales is a huge problem that no one ever talks about?

[Cocklodger]

Right now Theresa May is cracking down on no win no fee solicitors
Mainly south Wales, in particular the valleys.
Back years ago when the mines were shut down rightfully there was nothing left to replace it. Nothing at all, it killed thousands of jobs, which was to be expected, but in exchange there was no new businesses, no back ups, nothing. And it's only gotten worse since, poverty is high, benefit claimants are quite common
Public transport is awful to say the least and if you can't commute to Cardiff by some means, you're screwed, most can't afford cars and if you're in a public transport black spot then you're severely limited to warehouse operative positions which have over 100 applicants in one to three days. Meanwhile house prices in Cardiff are rising, I think in 40 years we will have a new London.
In the valleys most looks grey, worn out and pretty dead to be honest. Where I live there are a few car dealerships and a train station, which is more like a bus stop with tracks next to it than an actual station and the nearest station with people actually manning the booths is pontypridd (45mins away by train) I spent years working as a volunteer for an agency that helps people with problems (poverty related) such as MH issues, finding work, food bank referrals and the like. I saw it every single day, people wanting to work but seldom getting anywhere.
There are articles and documentaries about it, but I never see them talked bout on here or elsewhere really, aibu to think that Wales is a big problem that no one really talks about?

I live in Merthyr, always have done. I think things are improving but very slowly. Yes you get the alcoholics and drug addicts hanging around in certain areas and the town centre. These are usually people who have been brought up to know no different.

It's so annoying seeing the same stereotypical views repeated over and over again, take he for example, who is just regurgitating daily mail fodder.

Merthyr is like anywhere else, you have those who want to get on in life and want to give their kids a decent education and prospects and you have those families that are deprived, live in poverty, have a lack of education and grow up knowing no different. In my personal view the latter is dying out now.

It's so annoying seeing the same stereotypical views repeated over and over again, take he for example, who is just regurgitating daily mail fodder.

I've never read the Daily Mail. I did however have to analyse ONS/HMRC/DWP data monthly for Welsh politicians for a living.

Oh ok I thought data analysts just analysed data, I didn't realise you get a bio on each person the data is relating to... Unless you were just looking at the stats and generalising, making lots of assumptions etc

I beg to disagree. I live in the vale of glam and my husband is an architectural technician and I run my own limited company. Wales is not the poverty addled hellhole it's being made out to be. Granted some places are but no more than the rest of the country.

Transport links aren't just about getting the bus/train from a village to a town. Transport links are about motorways and fast trains going right across the region.

I have holidayed in Wales many times and it's a fucking ballache to get just about anywhere. Cardiff is ok but Aberystwyth for example...yet as the crow flies isn't Aber a similar distance to Birmingham as London? (different direction obviously)

It's really hard for companies to invest in regions that are a hassle to get to. Everyone wants to be able to share training across offices for example and if that's impossible, admin costs rack up.

Wales needs more motorways/fast train services IMO.

he ex civil servant hey? - well I don't think much of your impartiality and objectivity then. Special advisor for the Welsh Conservatives were you?

Your "get a job 30 min away" is typical Tory/Daily Mail Norman Tebbit style dross.

I'm sure you know how poor (and expensive) links are between the valleys and Cardiff and how many jobs in retail and services in Cardiff are on ZHCc.

Your view about industrial illness is also disgusting - easy to snigger "miners have bad back lolz" when sitting in a warm office doing your analysis. Clearly the Government don't agree with you hence payments for industrial illness and injuries.

"Economic Portfolio" - well can't say I'm impressed with the Welsh Assembly's work on this, unless you count luxury assembly buildings and offices.

Mind you I will agree with you on one thing and that's transport it's a nightmare to get Anywhere
My local bus service ends At 1pm
Also I live in the biggest town in Wales and the only place to buy kids clothes is peacocks or asda

And we don't have a Cinema

Oh ok I thought data analysts just analysed data, I didn't realise you get a bio on each person the data is relating to... Unless you were just looking at the stats and generalising, making lots of assumptions etc

That's precisely what stats do, and that's exactly how politicians decide on policy! (Also by visiting the areas concerned and talking to people.)

Special advisor for the Welsh Conservatives were you?

Nope! I left when the Tories got in as I could never bear working for them!

"Economic Portfolio" - well can't say I'm impressed with the Welsh Assembly's work on this, unless you count luxury assembly buildings and offices.

Wasn't WAG. ;)

I live in one of the black spots that you talk about OP. It's number 4 on the poverty list that you posted. BUT I see the amount of jobless, alcoholic, drug users and it makes me strive even more to not be like that. I am 29, I bought my own home at the top of the valley in 2011 (my mortgage is peanuts but will be an investment in years to come) I work in Cardiff therefore I had to learn to drive. I got a job in the local co op the day after my 16th birthday and through determination and want to do better I got in to uni and worked through a degree to get me in to the position I am today as a SENCo at a school in Cardiff. I have recently had a baby and I will do my utmost to give her the best possible life I can.
You are right the valleys are depressing and there isn't much here but individuals can change that for themselves. Too many people are happy to claim benefits and live weekly hand to mouth. Sometimes it's too much effort for people to try and get a job when they can get their benefits so easily. But while it can be a depressing place to live it can also be one of the friendliest and kindest places to live. The community spirit is immense and the people within the community try to do things for the children. All places in the country have issues and they will forever. But I think your statement that Wales is a huge problem is too sweeping and damning. And Applejacs come t about people looking gormless is very uncalled for and ignorant.

Your view about industrial illness is also disgusting - easy to snigger "miners have bad back lolz" when sitting in a warm office doing your analysis. Clearly the Government don't agree with you hence payments for industrial illness and injuries.

I think you misunderstood me. Thatcher needed to reduce unemployment figures, so when she made thousands unemployed she created incapacity benefit which wouldn't count towards the unemployment figures. Ex-miners and factory workers ended up on IB and found it very hard to get off it again. Their children found it hard to find jobs in now very depressed (economically speaking) areas. They became trapped on IB too.

DH is from a family of miners. I'm well aware of industrial injury and illness, thanks.

That's precisely what stats do, and that's exactly how politicians decide on policy! (Also by visiting the areas concerned and talking to people.)

You have a very quaint view of politicians - were you really in the civil service or were you purely a research/stats wonk ? A large overriding consideration of ALL politicians is getting re-elected or their/parties progression. You know, when you put up a submission and the special advisors add their gloss before it is in the box

I wanted to attend a course in Aber a few weeks back. Course was 2 hours long. It would have taken me 3 hours each way to attend despite being less than 10 minutes from the M4 on the west side of Cardiff.

You have a very quaint view of politicians - were you really in the civil service or were you purely a research/stats wonk ? A large overriding consideration of ALL politicians is getting re-elected or their/parties progression. You know, when you put up a submission and the special advisors add their gloss before it is in the box

Yep. Real civil servant involved in drafting actual government policy (much of which became enacted in law).

(My stuff went to SPADs at same time as Ministers, not before.)

Do feel free to get back to the point of the thread though.

I know very well what stats do thanks, I'm also aware of what they don't tell us which is more than can be said about you.

Which is why they aren't taken on face value.

Unless you're an incredibly narrow minded person.

Who's making assumptions now?!

Considering you couldn't "bear" working for the Tories you sound like one with your groans about benefits and people not wanting to travel for work etc.

I heard about the terrible stabbing in Cardiff and I live in the SE.

Someone mentioned a local park covered in needles etc. Surely that's an issue to be taken up with the local council/community groups etc. Not exactly central govt, although I realise that the issues leading people to become drug users may be exacerbated by lack of jobs/investment etc.

There was a lot of coverage before and after Brexit about EU funding that went into Wales, but it left me wondering why such enormous sums of money aren't more effective - why aren't positive outcomes being seen from it all?

Also, massive divert but interested to hear views - and I apologies for lack of knowledge on the subject - Do you think that money invested in promoting the Welsh language in Wales could have been better used? I know I wouldn't ask the same question about English in England and I don't mean to be patronising/flippant about the cultural significance of a language but is it worth it? Especially now in such a global market.

It was an observation, not a groan. It's been shown in various academic and government studies that 20 years after the majority of the mines closed a very high proportion of the population in areas like Merthyr are on economically inactive benefits. Much higher than in other areas. With a generation in those areas being around 20 years (give or take a few years either side) then what I said wasn't inaccurate! It wasn't derogatory or on the side of the bastard Tories. It was an observation, born out of actual data considered by eminent professionals.

I do think the Welsh language is worth preserving, yes. My children attend Welsh-medium school and husband (originally from birth of England) is learning too.

I would however prefer it if public bodies etc asked which language I'd prefer things in to save twice the amount of printing/postage etc.