Issue date
Martin Mansfield, General Secretary of the Wales TUC, has commented on the First Minister's decision not to proceed with the M4 relief road around Newport.

Martin Mansfield, said:

“Wales has massive infrastructure development needs – both north and south - in transport, in housing and in energy.

"It's a bit rich for Westminster’s Secretary of State in Wales to criticise this decision when it is his government which has cut every significant infrastructure project in Wales from tidal lagoons to rail electrification – and his government which has bled Wales’ finances dry through a decade of austerity.

“The M4 debate has concentrated on road congestion and environmental impact so far, but the social impacts need to be considered too. We need to take account of all the challenges facing our economy and services in Wales – we need to plan what investments can be financed and prioritise those which provide the greatest impact on disadvantage throughout Wales. All public investment must result in good quality employment and maximise long term value for our communities.

“We want to see Wales move to a greener, fairer economy where we share prosperity and protect people’s health and well-being; but that can only happen as part of a co-ordinated plan – not a series of one-off decisions.

“The Welsh government should now move quickly to implement its commitment to make Wales a fair work nation through social partnership – using the pooled knowledge of employers, unions and government to achieve the better future for Wales we all aspire to.”

Editors note

About the Wales TUC

The Wales Trades Union Congress is the voice of Wales at work, our aim is to make Wales a fair work nation. As the largest democratic membership based civic body in Wales, we speak for the 350,000 union members of our 49 affiliated unions.

Proudly part of the TUC and the wider international union movement, the Wales TUC is the devolved authority for unions in Wales.

Our biennial Welsh Congress of unions decides on Welsh policy and elects the Wales TUC General Council to oversee delivery through the Wales TUC General Secretary and his staff.

For further information, please contact:

Nisreen Mansour

Policy Officer

Wales TUC

02920347010 / 07917413705

1 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9SD