Welsh Labour: Gething leadership bid calls for more green jobs

Vaughan Gething will launch his Welsh Labour leadership campaign on Monday by calling for "a fairer future for Wales" through more green jobs.

The economy minister will set out his plan to lift people out of poverty by embracing the opportunities presented by clean energy industries.

Mr Gething said creating more well-paid jobs to help tackle climate change was his central mission.

"It's time for change," he said.

Speaking ahead of the launch in Newport, he added: "Across Wales, people are feeling the effects of 13 years of Tory chaos and austerity.

"When the Tories aren't attacking the rights of working people they're lining the pockets of their friends, all while communities across the country struggle with the cost of living."

Driving investment into green sectors like renewables will create local jobs, while a new fair work fund called Gwaith Teg will ensure workers are fairly paid, he said.

"This is a high stakes moment for Wales, but I'm hopeful for what's to come," Mr Gething said.

"I want Wales to be at the very forefront of the green revolution that will shape our future.

"In this century it is our party's job to create green prosperity that is felt by all, where power and wealth are shared amongst our communities and not concentrated in the hands of a privileged few.

"I want us to rise that challenge and work for a fairer future, built by all of us."

Before launching his campaign, Mr Gething said he would commit to keeping the Welsh NHS safe in public hands with per head spend on health and social care never lower than that of England.

Mr Gething was Wales' health minister during the Covid pandemic and has represented Cardiff South and Penarth as an MS since 2011.

He is one of two candidates to succeed Mark Drakeford as first minister. 

Last Saturday, Jeremy Miles launched his own campaign with a promise to increase the percentage of Welsh government budget spent on schools and tackle NHS waiting lists.

Mr Miles said he would build specialised orthopaedic centres for hip and knee replacements in order to tackle waiting lists.