CEREDIGION MP Ben Lake has called for urgent action to address demographic changes for the long-term vitality of Welsh rural communities after the most recent census revealed the county’s population declined by 5.8 per cent between 2011 and 2021.

Speaking in a parliamentary debate on Thursday, Mr Lake stressed the necessity of investing in digital connectivity as a ‘crucial step’ towards building sustainable rural economies.

In his speech, the Plaid Cymru MP highlighted the concerning trend of young people leaving Ceredigion for study or work, resulting in the largest population decrease in Wales.

“He also emphasised the urgent need for measures to ensure vibrant communities throughout the year, rather than being solely reliant on seasonal activity.

“It has long been the case that young people who grow up in Ceredigion leave for study or for work and seldom come back,” he said.

“Within those census figures, there is a story of real change in the demographic make-up of Ceredigion: fewer young people—children and young adults—and therefore a higher proportion of the population over 65 years of age.

Indeed, Ceredigion has a remarkable demographic make-up, in that 13 per cent of its population are under the age of 15 and 25 per cent are over the age of 65.

“That is a problem that we should be considering in both Westminster and Cardiff, because it has real consequences for the ability to deliver public services in an effective and appropriate manner.

“That also has something to do with the ability to ensure that we have vibrant communities. I do not want parts of Wales, be that in west Wales or elsewhere, just to become places that shut for half the year, only coming to life during the summer months.

“We want a vibrant economy through the year, where young people can expect to pursue exciting careers in the place in which they were born and raised.

“Ceredigion does not have a very good record when it comes to digital connectivity.

“Project Gigabit—the UK Government scheme—has been in existence for a few years now, but progress in rural areas is still too slow.

“The sooner we have clarity, the better, because the quality of the lives and the services that can be accessed by those without connectivity are much diminished.”

In his response, the Secretary of State for Wales, David TC Davies, said the number of properties with a gigbit connection had risen from 11 per cent in 2019 to 69 per cent today.

“The work is going on at pace,” he added.