Welsh Assembly | Politicians | Politicus - UK Politics News, Views and Commentary

‘Wales needs its own NHS whistleblowing hotline’ - Kirsty Williams

Tue, 21 May 2013 07:30:02 CDT

Source: Kirsty Williams AM - Wales needs its own a whistleblowing hotline to allow NHS staff to be able to anonymously report their concerns, according to Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Kirsty Williams.

The Welsh Government Health Minister recently confirmed to Kirsty Williams in a Written Question that there is currently "no whistleblowing hotline for NHS staff". Instead, staff are expected to contact a number, run by the Royal Mencap Society, that covers NHS and social care employees in both England and Wales.

Joyce meets Llanelli women ‘making a difference’ to public life

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:15:02 CDT

Source: Joyce Watson AM - Joyce meets Llanelli women ‘making a difference’ to public life A Llanelli scheme that aims to give women the confidence and skills to get involved in public life will be showcasing their ideas at Llanelli Library this Saturday (25th May). The Women Making a Difference project was recently (26 April) visited by Assembly Member Joyce [...]

AM highlights work of local forum

Mon, 20 May 2013 09:30:01 CDT

Source: Keith Davies AM - Llanelli Labour AM, Keith Davies, has raised the positive work of the Station Road Forum with the Welsh Housing Minister, Carl Sargeant. Mr Davies who chairs the Forum, which is developing a strategy to work together to positively promote the area, spoke of their work to champion improvements in the...

Discussions between Local Health Boards and Social Services are vital for community care

Mon, 20 May 2013 09:30:01 CDT

Source: Keith Davies AM - Llanelli Labour AM, Keith Davies, has emphasised that care in the community must be fit for purpose and meet high standards before any shift in care arrangements take place. Speaking in the Assembly, Mr Davies said that for care in the community to be successfully delivered it was integral that...

Debate: Caffeine-loaded Energy Drinks

Mon, 20 May 2013 08:15:02 CDT

Source: Joyce Watson AM -

Too important for politicians

Mon, 20 May 2013 08:15:02 CDT

Source: Peter Black AM - If there is one thing that is clear about the current controversy over Europe it is that the consequences of any decision to pull out are so serious that maybe there is a case for keeping politicians out of the debate altogether. That is just a whimsical remark of course. After all many of those expressing a view on this matter could not and should not be silenced. But it does underline a basic point, which is that so far the real issues are not being discussed.That is why an article in today's Independent is so important. They report that some of Britain’s most successful and eminent business leaders have accused Eurosceptic MPs of putting “politics before economics” and abandoning the national interest in their calls for Britain to leave the European Union.They add that in a letter to the group issue a trenchant riposte to politicians who have argued that Britain’s economic interest would be better served outside the EU:They also call for David Cameron to “strengthen and deepen” the European single market to boost Britain’s economy by £110bn. The letter, which is signed by senior figures including the current and next presidents of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) as well as the chairmen of BT, Deloitte, Lloyds and Centrica, is the first co-ordinated response from the business community to increasing anti-European political rhetoric.It reflects growing concern in the City that anti-European feeling is not being effectively countered by mainstream political leaders in the wake of last month’s local council elections.The paper adds that in their letter the businessmen write that on a purely economic basis, exiting the EU would be deeply damaging to Britain:“The economic case to stay in the EU is overwhelming,” they say. “To Britain, membership is estimated to be worth between £31bn and £92bn per year in income gains, or between £1,200 to £3,500 for every household.“What we should now be doing is fighting hard to deliver a more competitive Europe, to combat the criticism of those that champion our departure. We should push to strengthen and deepen the Single Market to include digital, energy, transport and telecoms, which could boost Britain’s GDP by £110bn.”Addressing concerns that European banking legislation is adversely affecting the City of London, the 19 business leaders say that the right answer is to fight for Britain’s interests inside the EU – rather than attempting to go it alone. “The City of London is Europe’s global financial centre,” they say. “Some of the EU’s ideas such as a cap on bankers’ bonuses put this standing at risk. So the Government needs to work hard to protect it.“But there is also a huge opportunity to promote London’s capital markets to help solve the problems of the EU banking system. We should promote the cause of EU membership as well as defend our position.”They conclude: “The benefits of membership overwhelmingly outweigh the costs, and to suggest otherwise is putting politics before economics.”Some businessmen privately express concerns that were Britain to leave and place restrictions on foreign workers, other European countries would retaliate and make it harder for Britons to work in the EU.There is also a non-economic case for staying the European Union, not least that it it provides an invaluable level of social and political cohesion to Europe and has helped us maintain peace on the continent for several generations. This really is more important than politics.

Rebecca condemns UK Government’s Bedroom Tax, saying it will ‘hit rural areas hard’

Mon, 20 May 2013 07:45:02 CDT

Source: Rebecca Evans AM - Rebecca has condemned the UK Government’s decision to push ahead with its controversial ‘bedroom tax’ even though the Government’s own impact assessment recognised the disproportionate affect it might have on rural areas. Speaking in the Senedd, Rebecca asked the Welsh Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty to join her in “calling on the UK government [...]

“Issuing fixed penalty notices to parents of children skipping school is counter-productive” says Aled Roberts

Mon, 20 May 2013 07:30:01 CDT

Source: Kirsty Williams AM - Aled Roberts, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Education, has described today's announcement that fixed penalty notices will be issued to parents whose children are regularly absent from school, as counter-productive.

The Minister's decision has been based on the results of a consultation carried out between November 2012 and February 2013.

Labour's opportunistic opposition to housing benefit reform stumbles again

Sun, 19 May 2013 12:00:05 CDT

Source: Peter Black AM - Many politicians hold genuine and deeply-held views in opposition to the coalition government's reform of housing benefit.There is no doubt changes that will reduce entitlement for those who have a spare bedroom are controversial and will initially cause problems for many people.That is why the government has put in place additional funds for Discretionary Housing Payments and have altered a number of the regulations to ease specific issues. It is my view that more needs to be done, but that is not the point of this post.The position of the Labour Party on this issue has been particularly hypocritical. They have been virulent in their opposition to what they have termed 'the bedroom tax' and yet they piloted this reform when they were in government and introduced it for the privately rented sector in 2008.What is more they have put forward no alternative nor have they pledged to repeal it. That hypocrisy has been brought into stark contrast this weekend with a clarification of the position of the shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.According to this article, Liam Byrne went to Newcastle empty-handed and left his audience sorely disappointed on this very issue.Labour's opportunism on welfare reform is disgraceful. They quite rightly initiated it, now they are opposing it despite not having any intention of undoing the reforms. No wonder they are struggling in the polls.

The 'loons' have it

Sat, 18 May 2013 10:15:01 CDT

Source: Peter Black AM - So what has happened to the Tory party? We have not seen this level of in-fighting since the John Major years and even then their cabinet minister stopped short of slagging off their own activists.As the Telegraph reports the pressure is starting to get a bit much for some of the occupants of the Number 10 bunker. So much so that a a senior figure in the Conservative Party who has strong social connections to the Prime Minister decided to excuse the 116 rebels who voted to amend the Queen's speech by saying that: “The MPs just have to do it because the associations tell them to, and the associations are all mad swivel-eyed loons.” Presumably the same reason will be wheeled out to justify the 150 plus Conservative MPs who are expected to vote against Mr Cameron’s plans to legalise same-sex marriage next week when the legislation returns to the House of Commons. When we entered this coalition, commentators predicted that the Liberal Democrats would not last the pace. Instead it is the more experienced but less disciplined Tory Party who are falling apart.

Keith Davies and Health Minister in call on health bosses

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:30:02 CDT

Source: Keith Davies AM - Listen to staff say AMs as only 13% of workforce believe NHS bosses will act on survey Llanelli AM Keith Davies has welcomed comments by Health Minister Mark Drakeford today (Thursday 16th May) in which he gives a clear message to NHS managers to take action following the recent NHS...

Hospital Petition raises further questions

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:30:02 CDT

Source: Keith Davies AM - A petition submitted earlier this year to the National Assembly for Wales’ Petition Committee has raised a series of questions it has been revealed. The Committee met earlier this week to set a course of action to manage a series of petitions received from concerned residents in Llanelli and Pembrokeshire...

Disgyblion Llannerchymedd yn cyfarfod eu A.C. yn y Senedd

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:00:03 CDT

Source: Ieuan Wyn Jones AM - Disgyblion Llannerchymedd yn cyfarfod Ieuan Wyn Jones A.C. yn y Senedd

A modern circle of hell

Fri, 17 May 2013 05:15:01 CDT

Source: Peter Black AM - I reference this article in the Daily Telegraph as a public service, because I for one an fed up with phone trees. The paper reports that some multi-national companies have almost 80 menu options when you try to call them. If you are able to find a shortcut then it is believed that this could save a person up to eight minutes per call. The paper say that a Lloyds TSB home insurance customer who wishes to report a water leak would normally have to wade through 78 menu options over seven levels to get through to the correct department. Two thirds of call centres (68%) use introductions or additional advertising between optionsIT manager Nigel Clarke, 53, who spent seven years making 12,000 calls to automated phone centres, has come up with a solution. He has painstakingly catalogued the option sequences of 130 leading companies, and has now published online which numbers to press to reach the required department. Thus, the Lloyds TSB customer referred to above will find that the combination 1-3-2-1-1-5-4 will get them straight through, saving over four minutes of waiting. Mr Clarke, who has been working on the list for seven years, cites the HMRC as one of the worst offenders, where callers can take up to six minutes to reach the correct department. As one of the UK's busiest call centres, the Revenue receives 79 million calls per year, or a potential 4.3 million working hours just navigating menus. Mr Clarke believes that with better menu design, at least three million caller hours could be saved here alone. He said he became increasingly “frustrated” by the lists. "I thought to myself 'Why don't companies make life easy for their customers and simply show me the menu options before I call so I know what numbers to press to get through much more quickly?'. "I realised I could often save a minute or two at least per call. That soon adds up in time and money with all the calls I make each year." My only beef with this article is that it does not give the website address.

Education Statement: Post-16 Planning and Funding Review

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:01:53 CDT

Source: Leighton Andrews AM -

Rhondda Hard of Hearing Group visit the National Assembly for Wales

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:00:02 CDT

Source: Leighton Andrews AM - This week, I was pleased to welcome Rhondda Hard of Hearing Group to the Senedd. I enjoyed talking to the group about my work as Assembly Member for the Rhondda and answering their questions. It is always a pleasure to welcome Rhondda community groups to the Senedd. Groups interested in arranging a visit can contact my office for further information.

Support for our Armed Services

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:00:02 CDT

Source: Leighton Andrews AM - I recently attended a Royal British Legion event in the Senedd to recognise the contribution the Armed Services make to our society. I talked with members of the Royal British Legion hear about the work of the Royal British Legion in Rhondda and throughout Wales. I was pleased to attend the event to show my gratitude to and support for the members of our Armed Services in Rhondda and throughout Wales and enjoyed speaking with Rhondda members of the Royal British Legion about their experiences in the Armed Services and the support they have received from the Royal British Legion.

Paul Davies Hosts Urdd Senedd Event

Thu, 16 May 2013 09:00:01 CDT

Source: Paul Davies AM - Local Assembly Member Paul Davies has recently hosted the 2013 Urdd Gobaith Cymru Message of Peace and Goodwill event at the Senedd recently. Since 1922 the young people of Wales have shared a Peace & Goodwill Message with the world, and the Urdd continues to do so annually every May. The message is an inspiration for the Urdd's humanitarian work locally and nationally.

Paul Davies said, "I was delighted to host the Urdd Peace and Goodwill event at the Senedd especially as this year, the Urdd Eisteddfod will be held in Pembrokeshire. The Eisteddfod gives young performers the opportunity to develop their talent and provides them with a platform to perform – and that is something that I believe should be celebrated. However, it is also important to recognise that the Urdd as an organisation undertake some important humanitarian work across Wales, and that is something that needs to be celebrated too."

Newport railway station a huge boost for the city

Thu, 16 May 2013 09:00:01 CDT

Source: Mohammad Asghar (Oscar) AM - Commenting on UK Government confirmation that a new railway station will be built in Newport, at Pye Corner, Mohammad Asghar said:

“This is incredibly welcome news that will act as a huge boost for Newport and its surrounding area.

“It follows last week’s confirmed investment in Ebbw Vale and imminent electrification of the mainline from London to [...]

ISHERWOOD: HOUSING MINISTER URGED TO ENGAGE WITH HOUSE DEVELOPERS

Thu, 16 May 2013 07:30:02 CDT

Source: Mark Isherwood AM - Shadow Housing Minister Mark Isherwood has called on the Welsh Government to engage with house developers who are struggling because of thecumulative impact of added regulations in Wales at a time when they need all the support they can get.

Raising the matter with the Housing Minister this week, Mr Isherwood emphasised that housebuilding in Wales is at its lowest level since the Second World War, and some say since the 1920s, and that since 1999 the Welsh Government, according to its own StatsWales website, has cut the supply of new social housing by 70%.

ISHERWOOD – AM MEETS NORTH WALES ROYAL BRITISH LEGION MEMBERS AT ASSEMBLY EVENT

Thu, 16 May 2013 07:30:02 CDT

Source: Mark Isherwood AM - North Wales AM Mark Isherwood was given an opportunity to discuss issues affecting members and ex-members of the armed forces at an Assembly event last week.

Mr Isherwood attended a Royal British Legion Reception in the Assembly which wasaimed at raising awareness of the issues facing the Armed Forces community in Wales throughout the year and the on-going work of the Royal British Legion.

ISHERWOOD – WELSH HOUSING TARGETS ARE TOO LIMITED

Thu, 16 May 2013 07:30:02 CDT

Source: Mark Isherwood AM -

Shadow Housing Minister, Mark Isherwood, is concerned that the Welsh Government has limited its housing targets to affordable homes only.

Speaking in this afternoon’s Welsh Conservative debate on the Welsh Government’s Delivery Unit, which monitors the progress and effectiveness of Welsh Government Departments, Mr Isherwood noted the Welsh Government’s failure to meet key housing targets and criticised the targets for being too limited.

He said: “Housing is key to Health, Wellbeing, and Community Regeneration, yet Welsh Government Housing targets have been limited to loosely defined “Affordable Housing” only – when their Stats Wales website shows that Labour led Welsh Government slashed the supply of new Social Housing by 70% in the first three Assembly terms, as waiting lists, overcrowding and hidden homelessness ballooned.

ISHERWOOD: CALL FOR WELSH GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO CALL FOR ‘CITIZEN-DIRECTED’ SOCIAL SERVICES

Thu, 16 May 2013 07:30:02 CDT

Source: Mark Isherwood AM - North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has called for a Welsh Government Statement in response to the concerningfindings of a newreport on access to care and wellbeing in Wales.

The report, prepared for the Welsh Government by the Social Services Improvement Agency for Wales (SSIA), found that the current approaches to assessment and eligibility for care and support are inconsistent across different parts of the population, and ineffective in helping people to get the right support at the right time.

ISHERWOOD – FIRST MINISTER QUESTIONED OVER ACTION TO ADDRESS CARE COSTS

Thu, 16 May 2013 07:30:02 CDT

Source: Mark Isherwood AM -

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has questioned the First Minister over Welsh Government action to address the substantial care costs many elderly and disabled people are faced with.

Speaking in the Assembly, Mr Isherwood referred to the UK Government’s Care Bill announced in the Queen’s Speech last week which is aimed at joining up health and social care and will protect families in England from the "catastrophic" bills that can be run up, and asked what is being proposed in Wales to deal with the problem.

Tax avoidance and international companies

Thu, 16 May 2013 07:30:02 CDT

Source: Peter Black AM - Today's Independent reports the appalling fact that Amazon paid less in UK corporation tax last year than it received in government grants.The paper says that its official company accounts have revealed that last year it paid just £3.1m in total taxes on sales of £4.2bn. Its corporation tax bill was £2.44m, less than the £2.5m it received from the Scottish Government in inducements to build a new distribution warehouse in Dunfermline. And it is not just them:The news comes as MPs say Google employees have turned whistleblower to describe how the Internet search giant misleads Britain's tax authorities over how much business they carry out in this country.Giving evidence to MPs on the Public Accounts Committee the head of Google sales in Europe Matt Brittin insisted that all its sales were completed in Dublin.This allows the company to pay tax at a lower rate than if the sales were completed in the UK.But MPs told Mr Brittin that they had been contacted by former employees who described the extent of sales operations in the UK.This includes pay-slips showing UK based staff being paid substantial bonuses depending on their 'sales' and evidence that big clients were being dealt with almost exclusively in the UK.I will be in the Hay Festival over the Whitsun bank Holiday weekend and have tickets to see Eric Schmidt, the founder of Google. There may be questions. I am looking forward to it.