NATIONALIST Mr ANDREW Nutt criticises successive Welsh Labour governments for the failure to address the state of the Welsh economy (Argus letters, 4 November). Mr Nutt may not have grasped that the economy is not a devolved function – it’s the responsibility of the UK government.

Unfortunately the Tory-led Westminster government’s mix of incompetence and austerity has meant that people in Wales are still suffering from a cost-of-living crisis, with wage levels falling behind prices. But fortunately, our LabourWelsh Government is responsible for economic development in Wales – and has a strong record of achievement.

This includes creating more than 16,000 job opportunities for unemployed young people with the Jobs Growth Wales scheme, 18 months ahead of target. And over 800 of those places were created in Islwyn and across Caerphilly county borough. Labour delivers for people in Wales. And after the General Election next May, Labour can deliver for people across the UK, with a Labour government turning the economy around and making Britain a fairer country again.

Cllr Gez Kirby, Pontllanfraith