Census stats reveal Welshpool woes

Release/Rhyddhau: Thursday, 09th June 2005

Contact/Cyswllt: Ceirion Rees:
029 2089 8342/ 07733280105/ ceirion.rees@wales.gov.uk 

“Statistics from the last UK Census tell us a great deal about the problems that need to be addressed in Welshpool”, says Mick Bates, Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Montgomeryshire.

National Statistics Office figures show that of the 6,269 Welshpool residents, 7.2% were permanently sick or disabled (1.7% above the Welsh average).  38.3% had no qualifications, (compared to 31.4% thought Powys).  54.9% were home owners (compared to 69.2% across Powys).  22.97% of people felt they had health problems (compared to 18.2% across Wales).
Unemployment was also slightly higher in the town at 3%, with the Powys average being 2.7%.

Mr Bates said:  “These figures do not make for pleasant reading.  Welshpool is a great town, with a great culture and great people.  There are clearly some problems there that need to be addressed. 

“The fact that there are health problems means that we need to see better health care.  The fact that a relatively small amount of people own homes means we need to create more affordable housing.  The fact that unemployment is slightly higher than the rest of Powys means we need to attract more jobs to the area.

Mr Bates, who has recently taken up the position of Welsh Liberal Democrat Social Justice and Regeneration spokesperson, also made a pledge to challenge the Labour Assembly Government to take action on the figures.

“The Assembly Government must stop pretending that all is well in rural Wales.  Communities like Welshpool have problems similar to those found in urban communities.  Those problems need to be addressed and resolved.

Notes:

Figures from National Statistics show:

• 6,269 people were resident in Welshpool in October 2001.

• 47.87% of Welshpool people were married or re-married compared to 55.1% across Powys.

• 60%  of people were in employment in Welshpool, close to the Powys average of 62%.

• 3%  of people were of unemployed.  The Powys average was 2.7%.

• 64% of people described their health as good in the preceding 12 months to the 2001 census compared to 66.85% in Powys and 68.65% across Wales.

• 22.97% of people who felt they had a health problem that limited their daily activities, compared to 18.2% across Wales.

• 7.2% of people who were permanently sick or disabled, compared to the Wales average of 5.5%

• 38.3%  of had no qualifications, compared to 31.4% in Powys.

• 30.53% of people had no car or van, compared to 17.5% across Powys.

• 54.9% of people were owner-occupied properties in Welshpool compared to 69.2% across Powys.