大象传媒

How would Labour apply its new UK jobs policy in Wales?

It's a question I haven't been asked for days: "David, does this apply in Wales?"

"This" is what is billed as Labour's first manifesto policy pledge, its extended "jobs guarantee scheme". Under the plan, 18 to 24-year-olds out of work for a year will be offered a taxpayer-funded job for six months. It will be paid for - you've guessed it - by a bankers' bonus tax, and a cut in pension tax relief for top rate taxpayers. The Conservatives say Labour's sums don't add up - and some employers are sceptical.

It sounds rather like the Welsh government's scheme - and indeed it is. Jobs growth Wales is one devolved policy area that Labour politicians are happy to highlight - rather more than they are health and education - and the policy has even (which has changed its earlier reference to Wales as a principality).

Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Rachel Reeves said: "What Welsh Labour are doing with jobs growth Wales is exactly the sort of opportunity that we want young people across the whole of the UK to have. Wales really is leading the way on helping young people back into work and into good quality jobs. That is why we've committed a future Labour government to fund the compulsory jobs guarantee for the whole of the next parliament."

So the two schemes are similar but different - note the word "compulsory" in Rachel Reeves' quote. Those who refuse to join the compulsory jobs guarantee will lose benefits. There is no similar sanction available to the Welsh government.

Today's announcement does prompt questions. Would the two schemes overlap? Will they duplicate each other? Will one supersede the other?

A Labour source told me: "The next Labour government will work closely with the Welsh government to deliver the jobs guarantee in Wales, making sure that we build on the success of jobs growth Wales.

"Labour is establishing an expert group to advise on the implementation of the policy and further details about how it will work in devolved nations will be announced in due course."

The use of the phrase "in due course" suggests those questions have yet to be answered. As I understand it, the expert group will be able to look at the bigger picture - including the devolution of employment programmes (with the power of sanctions) to Wales.

A Welsh Labour spokesman added: "There has been a long running conversation inside the party about the success of jobs growth Wales, and we are very happy that this has helped to inform today's announcement.

"The Welsh Labour government's manifesto commitment on this policy remains clear, and we look forward to working with a future Labour government in Westminster to maximise our offer to young people in Wales."