CEREDIGION is the only county in Wales that has seen an increase in EU workers over the last two years, a report into Brexit highlights.

According to research commissioned by the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) Ceredigion is at low risk of social vulnerability impacts from Brexit but an assessment of migration changes on the economy should be carried out by the county council.

As part of its Brexit transition support programme a “dashboard” for each of Wales’ 22 local authorities have been prepared by Grant Thornton, looking at economics, skills, deprivation, migration and funding.

The research found that Ceredigion has a very high proportion – four per cent – of its population born in the EU, with the Welsh average three per cent.

It was the only authority to have seen an increase in EU National Insurance Number registrations – 132 or 42 per cent – between 2016 and 2018, compared to a 24 per cent increase nationally.

A recommendation in the report’s “Brexit preparedness toolkit” states that the number of registrations is “unique” and “the council should assess how these levels of migration impact the local economy.”

It adds that an assessment should considered the scale, strength, weaknesses and productivity of the local economy and its key sectors.

Ceredigion is ranked in the bottom 40 per cent of the “Community Vulnerability Index.”

But despite overall low risk “Ceredigion has high levels of residents working in elementary occupations” the dashboard states.

High proportions of people are employed in high risk sectors such as agriculture, forestry, fishing and retail.

Seven-and-a-half per cent of the population in Ceredigion have no qualifications and nearly nine per cent have an NVQ level one, both of which is below the Welsh average.

The Welsh Government has allocated an extra £1.2millon with £45,000 for each local authority and a further £200,000 made available to them through The WLGA.

“The money will ensure there is a dedicated resource in each local authority to undertake the necessary planning, co-ordination and preparation work. It will be supported and co-ordinated by the WLGA across all local authorities to avoid duplication, maximise effectiveness and encourage cross local government delivery,” said a WLGA spokesman.