Ebbw Vale’s Regeneration and Brexit Regret: A Deep-Dive

The former Ebbw Vale steelworks, closed 20 years ago, now hosts a hospital, a cybersecurity research centre, two tech firms and the Goldworks hub (2024). A railway station opened in 2015, and three tech firms operate there under the Welsh government’s £100 million “Tech Valleys” programme.

The Guardian

Ebbw Vale and Blaenau Gwent have long faced job loss and falling wages. The steel mill’s closure ended the last skilled manufacturing jobs. Despite EU structural funds, the economy kept contracting, and in the 2016 EU referendum 62 % of its 18,000 residents voted to leave—the highest share in Wales.

The Guardian

Blaenau Gwent council reports a net gain of 870 local businesses in the past decade, up from 511 in the previous ten years. ONS data show 3.2 % of residents are foreign-born. House prices are rising as commuters buy homes, reflecting limited local jobs.

The Guardian

Residents regret the Brexit vote and feel abandoned. Claire Jones, a shop-owner, called the leave result “shocking” despite EU-funded signage, while former steelworker Mike says immigration is a problem despite foreign-born share. The cost-of-living crisis remains unrelieved by tech jobs. In the 2026 Senedd election, Plaid Cymru and Reform UK each took three seats, ending Labour’s historic hold.

The Guardian

The Welsh government calls the £100 million Tech Valleys programme a catalyst for new industry and jobs in deprived areas. Blaenau Gwent council cites the rise in local enterprises as progress. Plaid Cymru MS Lindsay Whittle says Brexit deepened distrust of Westminster, urging Welsh-led solutions. Labour’s national plan adds funding pots for deprived communities, now part of the joint growth blueprint with Torfaen.

The Guardian

Locals view immigration as a problem, yet ONS data show only 3.2 % foreign-born residents. Analysts disagree on whether decline began before Brexit or accelerated after, leaving no clear consensus.

The Guardian

The joint blueprint with Torfaen aims to channel Welsh government investment and Labour-announced funding pots into growth projects for the area.

The Guardian

• “We don’t get as many visitors as we would like,” — John Edwards, volunteer, Ebbw Vale Works Museum

The Guardian

• “I worked in the steelworks until I was made redundant, then I worked for myself. But it’s different for my kids and my grandkids,” — Mike, former steelworker

The Guardian

• “What the Brexit vote showed was the depth of despair and how people felt left behind. I think now, with more information available and a lot more engagement on the subject, a lot of people here now regret that decision.” — Lindsay Whittle, Plaid Cymru MS

The Guardian

• “More and more, people in Wales are seeing that Westminster doesn’t work for them. The EU referendum and the mess afterwards are a big reason for that.” — Lindsay Whittle, Plaid Cymru MS

The Guardian