Rising unemployment due to Covid-19 and businesses feeling the effects of Brexit are seen as some of the biggest risks currently facing Gwynedd, a new report suggests, but a Llyn councillor insists there are jobs available.

Responding to the findings of the report at last Thursday’s audit committee meeting, Cllr John Brynmor Hughes, councillor for Llanengan, said there are a number of vacancies within the hospitality sector, and businesses are struggling to attract staff.

Cllr Brynmor Hughes, who also owns a pub, said: “There is work here in Pen Llyn but people don’t want to do it. Hospitality is one of the biggest employers locally and is desperate for workers.

“I think people have got used to not working and plenty of time at home and have enjoyed themselves, leading to the problem now that the hospitality sector, especially here but also further afield such as Aberystwyth and New Quay, they are all looking for staff.

“The work isn’t the problem as long as people are willing to do it.”

Figures suggest more than one in 10 UK hospitality workers have left the industry in the last year, with factors said to include not only Covid-19, but also Brexit.

The report suggests working with Grwp Llandrillo Menai and the third sector to provide support to local businesses and employers to employ young people for a period of six months and develop their work skills.

A taskforce will also consider if there are further steps Gwynedd Council and its partners can take to support businesses and employers to offer work and employment experiences.

The need to pay particular attention to the agriculture sector where further support was also said to be needed to help rural businesses adapt was also noted.

The audit committee also heard concerns over a lack of nursing beds on the Llyn following last year’s closure of Penrhos Polish Care Home.

Cllr Angela Russell stressed the need for more nursing beds, particularly on Llyn.

The report also acknowledged the need to set up a Recruitment and Workforce Development Plan to address the authority’s needs amid the scarcity of social workers.

The report stated: “Low wages continue to be a problem in Gwynedd, particularly in Meirionnydd. An opportunity to respond by continuing to work together to create the right conditions to develop high value jobs within Gwynedd.

“We will have agreed a programme to create more higher value jobs in Gwynedd taking into account the impact of Covid and Brexit on employers.

“The programme will focus on promoting skills and careers in the science, technology, electronics and mathematics area and on safeguarding and creating new jobs for the future at Trawsfynydd site, Llanbedr airfield site, within the medical, engineering, digital and creative industries sectors.”