Coronavirus diary, Thursday 2 July

Airbus: jobs grounded

The impending easing of lockdown in Wales has been overshadowed by grim economic news. This is the worst week so far for job losses.

The steady stream has become a torrent as businesses throughout he country are struggling to survive. Companies large and small are affected, with North Wales hardest hit.

Airbus is to jettison 1,700 jobs in the UK, most likely from the Broughton plant which makes wings for a whole range of aircraft. 

With airlines operating at a fraction of their previous level and most services not expected to revive for at least a year, the company is taking drastic measures.

The knock-on effect for the supply chain, from parts manufacturers to local local pubs and shops, will add thousands more to the jobless total.

Cardiff airport, like many smaller airports in Britain - almost at a standstill for months - is celebrating the take-off of two holiday flights this week, but even this has been a drama. The Welsh government asked Ryanair to postpone them but the company decided to go ahead.

What a sad story. In the 1970s Cardiff airport was really taking off, thanks to the initiative of the three Glamorgan counties who owned it.

In my 10 years as information and marketing officer it at last attracted the then magic one million passengers and made a profit for the patient ratepayers. 

The biggest threat to the Welsh economy is revealed in a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) forecasting the loss of 50,000  jobs in the service sector, mainly local government. 

Wales cannot afford this.

Public services account for one-quarter of the country's whole  workforce, compared with one-fifth in England, and it is vital for the recovery. 

The outlook is made more gloomy by the reduction in the government's so far successful furlough scheme, a lifeline. With employers soon having to pay part of their wage bill, many say they cannot afford afford to. 

Hundreds of businesses, especially those in hospitality and tourism are on the brink.

The opening of hotels, caravan and camping sites and other holiday services is welcome but with the restrictions - only pubs with gardens for example will be opening - many are already giving up.

Appreciating the gravity of the situation throughout the UK, the Prime Minister this week pledged to spend billions of pounds on infrastructure projects - hospitals, schools, roads - to get the country on its feet and people back to work.

His new  battle cry - build, build, build!

It should be - jobs, jobs, jobs!