- Written by Gareth Lewis
- BBC Wales Political Editor
Image source, Getty Images
Miles launched his leadership campaign at Swansea earlier this month
One of the men hoping to become Wales’ next First Minister has said sustainable economic growth is his top priority.
Welsh Labor leadership contender Jeremy Miles will later release his manifesto and pledge a ‘rent-to-own’ scheme to help renters buy a home.
He also wants to provide menopause counseling for women over the age of 40.
Miles, the Welsh Government’s Education Secretary, also committed to a review of business support.
Although details of this review are yet to come, the Welsh Government’s recent decision to reduce business rates relief from 75% to 40% for pubs, shops and restaurants has been strongly criticized by hospitality groups.
A previous Welsh Government rent-to-own scheme allowed tenants to build up a lump sum towards a deposit while renting their homes.
They can receive 25% of the rent paid during the rental period and 50% of the increase in the value of the property during the rental period to use as a deposit.
The current shared ownership system allows those eligible to buy a share in a property and pay rent on the remainder.
Before launching his election platform in Rhyl, Denbighshire, Miles said: “There is no path to the more compassionate country we want to be that does not pass through the more prosperous country we need to be.”
He said he also wanted to see an expansion of energy efficient home furnishing, financial incentives for new and recent graduates to set up businesses and a Make It in Wales campaign to bring home Welsh people living elsewhere.
Jeremy Miles says he wants to help people who are currently renting to get on the housing ladder
Miles has already promised to increase the percentage of the Welsh Government budget spent on education.
In a recent interview, he also backed the idea of the UK rejoining the EU’s single market, and said he would defend it vigorously with Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer if he became prime minister.
In terms of further devolution, Mr Miles is a supporter of devolving control of policing, justice and surveillance to Wales.
One of his leadership pledges is to secure what he calls a “fairer deal for Wales” in partnership with the UK Government.
Miles said his statement set out a “clear mission for the future of Wales”.
“The government I lead will focus on the everyday priorities of people across Wales, and the party I lead will be rooted in our communities, bringing forward new and innovative ideas that reflect the everyday experiences of people across Wales and our nation.
“This competition is not about me – or indeed any individual. It is about what Wales needs to do over the next decade to change our course and thrive in a new world of changing technology and disruption.”
But there is also a reference to current financial constraints.
The Welsh Government said rising costs had reduced its spending capacity in real terms by £1.3bn, and it made significant cuts across the board in its latest budget – mainly to transfer money to the NHS.
“While the current budget situation imposes real constraints on new spending initiatives in the short term, this will neither limit our ambitions nor detract from the need to be radical and creative,” Miles said.
The statement was launched at Llandrillo Engineering College following his rival for the position of First Minister – Economy Minister Vaughan Gething – launching his campaign on Saturday.
The winner will be announced on March 16.