‘There’s no jobs’: struggle and regret in a Welsh town that backed Brexit
Summary
Ebbw Vale, a town in Wales that strongly supported Brexit, has struggled economically since its steelworks closed in 2002. Despite receiving significant EU funding for development, the area continues to face job shortages and slow growth, although recent efforts focus on attracting tech companies and improving infrastructure.Key Facts
- Ebbw Vale’s steelworks closed in 2002, ending many skilled manufacturing jobs.
- The town voted 62% in favor of leaving the EU in the 2016 Brexit referendum.
- Blaenau Gwent received the highest possible EU funding for regional development after the steelworks closure.
- Despite this funding, jobs and wages in the town declined before and after Brexit.
- Since Brexit, the UK government has not fully replaced the lost EU funds.
- The Welsh government launched a £100 million tech program to attract new industries to Ebbw Vale.
- Three tech companies have opened offices on the former steelworks site.
- Local business openings in the last 10 years have increased compared to the previous decade.
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