"Daily Express Should Have Examined The Wider Picture"

12.00.00am GMT Mon 31st Jan 2005

"I was disappointed with the way the Daily Express article portrayed Merthyr people as somehow 'lazier' than the rest of the UK." This was Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Michael German's response to the Daily Express article entitled "Merthyr Tydfil: benefit Britain's sicknote capital," which was published on 31st January.

Michael German, AM for South Wales East, said; "20% of people in Merthyr are claiming Incapacity benefits, it's fact and no one is trying to deny it. However, it was irresponsible journalism to stereotype Merthyr people as lazy. How are people from Merthyr expected to have pride in themselves and in their town, when the nation's press seems insistent on putting them down?

Many of those who claim Incapacity benefit have genuine illnesses, brought on by the poor working conditions in the coal and steel industry and in factories, for example. However, the bigger problem facing Merthyr Tydfil is encouraging those people who are capable of work, to seek employment. In this respect, the Labour Assembly Government is failing the people of Merthyr - many of whom have voted Labour all their lives - by failing to provide the skills and opportunities their communities need to flourish."