Today (August 27), Prime Minister Andy Burnham is in Wales on the next leg of the summer tour, meeting local communities outside Westminster ahead of Parliament's return next week.
He will spend the morning speaking to Welsh workers and apprentices about issues including reindustrialisation, jobs, and the cost of living.
This comes as the Prime Minister announces that he will convene the First Ministers of Wales and Scotland, and the First and deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland in October, to discuss how we will drive good growth in every postcode across the UK.
The National Economic Council will meet with the aim of strengthening collaboration between the UK Government and the Devolved Governments to drive opportunity and prosperity in every part of the UK.
The Council was revived by the Prime Minister during his first week in office to bring together leaders from across the UK to strengthen economic growth.
The UK Government says that Wales is already seeing the benefit of action taken this summer to provide breathing space to households.
Measures announced in recent weeks include cutting VAT on household electricity bills to help ease cost-of-living pressures, and action to tackle everyday frustrations and unfair practices like subscription traps.
The Government says that it has also worked closely with partners in Wales to ensure military assistance is available during emergencies where required, including during this summer's wildfires, helping protect communities and support local resilience.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: "I am in Wales today because the answers to the UK's challenges will not come from an echo chamber. They will come from the places that know their own strengths, and from a government willing to listen and then act.
"Good jobs in every community, in every part of the UK. That is what I want every leader in this country signed up to."
The Prime Minister has spent the summer in listening mode, holding conversations in workplaces, on high streets, in community centres and on farms.
He has spoken with families facing cost-of-living pressures, small business owners, shopkeepers, police officers, community leaders, farmers, apprentices and workers, hearing directly about the challenges and opportunities facing communities across the UK.
Work to tackle rogue operators causing misery to millions of people across the country struggling with rip-off prices will also be set out as part of the Prime Minister's commitment to end everyday hassles.
Responding to the Prime Minister’s anticipated visit to Wales, Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson David Chadwick MP said: “Andy Burnham says he is coming to Wales to listen to people struggling with the cost of living, but Labour ran Wales for 26 years until May.
“In that time, wages remained the lowest of the UK nations, child poverty was the highest, and Labour utterly failed to build the prosperous Welsh economy it repeatedly promised.
“If Andy Burnham is serious about easing the burden on Welsh families, his government must deliver: fixing our broken energy market, standing up for our farmers, properly funding rural services and giving Wales its fair share of infrastructure investment.
“Wales doesn’t need another Labour listening exercise. Wales needs action.”
Welsh Government’s Deputy First Minister, Sioned Williams, of Plaid Cymru stated: “I’m pleased to meet the Prime Minister today. It is a positive example of governments working together to improve people's lives.
“Co-operation on energy and industrial strategy is essential if Wales is to seize the opportunities of the green transition and create well-paid jobs for the future.
“With the energy price cap set to rise by a further 4% ahead of winter, households are coming under renewed pressure. That is why the Welsh Government is calling on the UK Government to introduce an energy social tariff to support those facing fuel poverty and struggling with high energy bills.
“Households in Wales face some of the highest energy standing charges in the UK, adding to the burden on families already under pressure. We are calling on the UK Government to address this longstanding unfairness.
“Consideration must also be given to supporting the many households in rural Wales that rely on costly heating oil because they are not connected to the mains gas grid.
“Wales is an energy-rich nation. People should see that reflected in good jobs, stronger communities and lower bills.”
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