WALES’ unemployment rate is broadly in line with the UK average, according to the latest labour market figures.

The Welsh Government said figures from the Annual Population Survey showed unemployment among people aged 16 and over in Wales at 4.5%, compared with 4.4% across the UK.

Ministers said Wales’ employment rate was also “relatively close” to its all-time high, but acknowledged that official labour market data should be treated with caution because of continuing concerns over reliability.

The figures come as the newly elected Welsh Government seeks to put productivity at the centre of its economic agenda.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “As a newly elected Government we are committed to driving investment, innovation and higher productivity across Wales.

“We have announced a National Productivity Goal to close the gap with the rest of the UK and help unlock the full potential of the Welsh economy.

“By focusing on productivity, we will deliver more jobs, higher pay, stronger businesses and thriving communities.”

The Government says the new goal will help shape the work of its planned Welsh innovation and development agency, including how it supports businesses, develops skills and invests in the wider economy.

However, ministers also said Wales’ labour market appears to be following similar trends to the UK as a whole.

They pointed to ongoing work by the Office for National Statistics to improve the quality of Labour Force Survey data, saying the figures should be read alongside other labour market indicators to get a clearer picture.

The Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, Adam Price, is seeking a meeting with the ONS to discuss the reliability of labour market data for Wales.

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been jailed after admitting breaching a domestic violence protection order.

Ryan Carlmain, 33, of Plas Peregrine, Milford Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 17).

The court heard that Carlmain breached an order made by the same court on May 14 this year.

The breach took place in Milford Haven on June 10, when he attended an address at Marble Hall Road, contacted the woman concerned three times by telephone, and entered the property through a bathroom window after snapping a key off in the back door.

Carlmain admitted the breach.

Magistrates committed him to prison for two months, saying the offence was so serious because he had shown a “flagrant disregard for court orders”.

He was also ordered to pay £284 in costs, with payment due on his release.

TRAFFIC across Haverfordwest remains severely disrupted this morning (Jun 18) following the closure of Freemens Way due to an ongoing incident.

Motorists have reported lengthy delays throughout the town, with congestion stretching back towards Johnston and queues forming on key routes into the county town.

Several drivers have described the situation as “gridlock”, with some reporting journey times of more than an hour to travel relatively short distances.

One motorist said it had taken one hour and 20 minutes to travel from Johnston to the bottom of Dredge Hill, while others reported traffic problems across much of Haverfordwest since early this morning.

Police remain at the scene and drivers are being urged to avoid the area where possible and seek alternative routes.

The Herald understands traffic is being affected on multiple approaches to the town as vehicles attempt to divert around the closure.

There has been speculation on social media about the cause of the incident. However, no official details have yet been released by the emergency services.

The Pembrokeshire Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for an update and will provide further information as soon as it becomes available.

Motorists are advised to allow extra time for journeys and expect significant delays throughout the area.