A SWANSEA councillor and Assembly candidate says it is time for all politicians to work together to prevent the "greatest threat ever seen in the city" — the recession.

Lib Dem Rob Speht spoke out following a report which said Swansea was one of the most vulnerable cities in the UK when it came to emerging from the recession.

The report also said Swansea was affected by UK Government spending cuts, unemployment and low skill level and would need extra help.

Mr Speht said the only way for Swansea to emerge from the recession was for all parties to work together.

He added: "When you consider it is a Labour-Plaid coalition in Cardiff and a Conservative-Lib Dem coalition in London, the only solution to this in Swansea is if all the parties work together. It's too important for political point-scoring."

According to Cities Outlook 2011 report, Swansea, Newport, Sunderland, Liverpool and Birkenhead were the cities most vulnerable to the uneven spread of the economic recovery.

The annual report, by think tank Centre for Cities, said these areas might not feel the full benefits of economic recovery for some time.

Low skill levels and levels of business activity, the number of people employed in the public sector and the number of people claiming unemployment benefits mean these cities will need additional financial support from central government and a realistic local plan of action, according to researchers.

Mr Speht said: "Swansea is vulnerable because of the high proportion of public sector jobs.

"This has been building up for many years with successive governments encouraging public sector ghettos in some cities, including Swansea.

"Swansea Council leader Lib Dem Chris Holley tried raising this issue as far back as June last year — his letter was leaked and opposition parties in Swansea attacked him for his lack of grammar.

"However, we now see that he was ahead of the curve and has been trying to highlight the issue for at least the past six months.

"I think it is time for all local politicians of every party to work together on this for the people of Swansea rather than bickering about punctuation.

"This is a threat to the local economy in Swansea on a scale that we haven't seen for many years, maybe even since the end of the Second World War."

helen.keates@swwmedia.co.uk