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PRESS RELEASE : Minister launches new initiative to encourage more Welsh food onto public sector plates in Wales [December 2022]

The press release issued by the Welsh Office on 17 December 2022.

The Welsh Government has launched a new initiative to encourage more local spending on food by the Welsh NHS, schools and local government to help support Welsh producers, create more jobs and boost prosperity in local communities, Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething announced today.

A new online food procurement resource, ‘Buying Food Fit for the Future’ is part of wider Welsh Government plans to support Wales’ everyday local economies.

Estimates suggest the Foundational Economy accounts for four in ten jobs and £1 in every three that is spent in Wales.

Food is a crucial Foundational Economy sector which has faced, and is still facing, many challenges following Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic and more recently, the war in Ukraine and rising energy and fuel bills.

Public sector procurement has an important role in helping address these challenges and re-localising food chains, maximising self sufficiency and resilience.

The new legal guidance in the online resource clarifies what can be included in food tenders, whilst remaining compliant with procurement rules, to maximise opportunities for local food producers and suppliers.

Public sector food procurement in Wales is worth approximately £84.7 million per annum, with Local Government and NHS Wales together accounting for more than 80% of that.

Public sector purchasing from Welsh companies account for 58% of overall spend, and food of Welsh origin accounts for 23%.

The Universal Provision of Free School meals (UPFSM) commitment, ensuring that all primary school children in Wales will get free school meals by 2024, presents real opportunity for a major step change in policy and practice to transform the food system and address the disconnects within it. Collaborative working, data-sharing and building strong, ethical relationships between all the players throughout the food system will be key.

The Minister recently visited Gower View Foods at Cross Hands Food Park in Carmarthenshire, who are known as the UK’s number one independent butter packer, packing butter for most of the UK and Europe’s leading brands. The Minister also met with Ferrari Coffee, Bridgend. The producers are looking forward to the new guide which will encourage more Welsh food and drink to be used in the public sector.

Jon Lewis, Managing Director, Gower View Foods, said:

Gower View Foods produce award winning products made in Wales and supply a range of organisations in the public sector.

It is good to see the launch of the guide to public procurement to help increase the number of Welsh food and drink companies supplying the public sector.

Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, said:

There is great scope to further increase Welsh food onto public plates in Wales and support our local producers.

Building the necessary capability and skills to embed Foundational Economy objectives across the Welsh public sector is crucial. By doing this, we can maximise opportunities for Welsh suppliers and build resilient, highly skilled supply chains. We can help grow these businesses, attract and retain new talent and recycle the Welsh pound in our communities.

The online food procurement resource is part of the necessary toolset and support for public sector stakeholders and practitioners which will help to change mindsets to focus on value creation through our procurement activity, rather than cash savings so those wider benefits and wellbeing goals can be achieved.

Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths said:

In Wales we produce excellent food and drink, and I’m pleased to see this new initiative which will help the public sector buy local. This is good for our food producers and for the local economy. It will provide a great opportunity for producers and encourage more of the public sector to buy produce which is closer to home.

23/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : Extra payments for UK Armed Forces deployed to cover industrial action during festive period [December 2022]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 23 December 2022.

Members of the UK Armed Forces involved in providing cover for public services during planned industrial action throughout the festive period will receive additional payment, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has announced.

More than 1,000 personnel from across the Navy, Army, and RAF have received training in recent weeks to cover a number of roles during planned industrial action, including passport-checking at the UK border and ambulance driving.

The first industrial action cover took place on Wednesday (21 December) as 600 personnel stepped in to drive ambulances and provide direct support to NHS trusts in England. Further cover will begin today (23 December) as 625 personnel are deployed to ensure the security of the UK border.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

I am incredibly grateful for the sacrifices made this winter by members of our Armed Forces, who are giving up their time to keep our essential services running and to bolster UK resilience.

While the unions continue to hold our public services to ransom, it is only appropriate our people are compensated for having to go above and beyond their usual tasks at short notice.

The payments will be issued for each day personnel are training for, or engaged in, industrial action cover during the festive period, following acceptance of Military Aid to Civilian Authority (MACA) requests.

Payments will be made to personnel for every day they spend training or deployed throughout the period of 19 December to 2 January inclusive. Personnel will receive the payments in their monthly salary, with the net amount calculated as £20 for each day of cover, after tax. This will be funded from the Ministry of Defence’s existing budget.

MACA is a long-standing and established process which allows the specialist capabilities of the UK Armed Forces to be utilised to support civil authorities responding to a domestic emergency.

A wider review of how MACA taskings are calculated and charged across Government will take place in early 2023.

23/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : Statement by the Chair of virtual G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting [December 2022]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 December 2022.

The Foreign Ministers of the G7 had a call on 22 December 2022 to discuss a range of issues including Afghanistan and Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
1. Today, in their 12th meeting this year, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, again condemned in the strongest possible terms Russia’s illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine and expressed their full solidarity and unwavering support for Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes. They underscored their steadfast commitment to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, within its internationally recognised borders.
2. Recalling previous G7 Foreign Ministers’ statements, they reiterated their strong condemnation of Russia’s illegal attempted annexation of sovereign Ukrainian territory, which will never be recognized; atrocities committed by Russian armed forces, including those involving the killing of civilians, torture, reported executions, sexual violence, and deportations, including of children, to Russia. G7 members underlined there can be no impunity for war crimes and other atrocities. They will hold President Putin and those responsible to account in accordance with international law. G7 members reiterated that Russia’s weaponization of energy and food especially impacts the world’s most vulnerable and that Russia’s spreading of disinformation and false accusations, Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and Russia’s seizure and militarization of Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) are unacceptable. G7 members again underlined their full support for the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency to establish a nuclear safety and security zone at the ZNPP.
3. G7 members continue to call on Belarusian authorities to stop enabling the Russian war of aggression by permitting Russian armed forces to use Belarusian territory and by providing support to the Russian military. Any further active participation in the Russian illegal war of aggression would run counter to the will and aspirations of the Belarusian people. If the Belarusian authorities more directly involve Belarus in Russia’s war, the G7 will impose overwhelming additional costs on the regime.
4. Russia’s massive and deliberate attacks on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, in particular energy, heating and water facilities, using missiles and Iranian drones, have left millions of Ukrainians in the dark and cold of winter. Through these barbaric attacks, Russia is trying to terrorize the civilian population. G7 members recalled that indiscriminate attacks, as well as attacks on the civilian population or civilian objects constitute a war crime. They underscored increased efforts to assist the Ukrainian people throughout this winter, including following the international conference held in Paris on 13 December, which furthered G7+ efforts to respond to the humanitarian emergency. Resolved to support Ukraine’s repair, recovery and reconstruction, G7 members recalled the importance of coordinating on further international support, including in the fields of critical infrastructure and of Ukraine’s recovery, and welcomed the recent agreement by G7 Leaders to establish a multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform.
5. G7 members committed to enhance and closely coordinate efforts to meet Ukraine’s urgent requirements for military and defense equipment, especially air defense. They underlined this is essential to save lives and prevent additional civilian suffering.
6. The G7 members also reiterated their full resolve to continue coordinating financial, material, humanitarian, defense, political, technical and legal assistance to support Ukraine’s defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. They remained committed to the unprecedented coordinated sanctions measures in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. G7 members will maintain and intensify economic pressure on Russia and those who evade and undermine the restrictive measures. They encouraged third countries to join G7 efforts, including the coordinated action to reduce Russian revenues from the export of oil by leveraging the maximum price per barrel for seaborne Russian-origin crude oil set by the Price Cap Coalition. They reiterated their commitment to shielding vulnerable countries that are severely impacted by the repercussions of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and Russia’s weaponization of energy and food.
7. G7 members commended the bravery of the Ukrainian people in their fight for their country. The G7 firmly supported efforts to secure Ukraine’s immediate financial stability and support its recovery and reconstruction towards a sustainable, prosperous future, and encouraged Ukraine’s reform agenda. They remained committed to fully supporting Ukraine in securing its free and democratic future in line with its European path. They highlighted shared values of freedom and democracy, and are committed to upholding the rules-based multilateral order and international cooperation.
8. G7 members welcomed and supported President Zelenskyy’s efforts to promote a just and lasting peace. Russia can end this war immediately by ceasing its attacks against Ukraine and completely and unconditionally withdrawing its forces and equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders. G7 members again called on Russia to do so immediately.
Afghanistan
1. The G7 members strongly condemned the Taliban’s recent decision to ban women from universities, to continue to bar girls from secondary schools, and to impose other harsh restrictions on the ability of women and girls in Afghanistan to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms. They urged the Taliban to abandon the ban on university education for women and to reverse without delay the existing decision to prohibit girls’ access to secondary school. The recent measures by the Taliban, in conjunction with previous cumulative measures restricting the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls in Afghanistan, are extremely concerning and seem to be a systematic policy. Gender persecution may amount to a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute, to which Afghanistan is a State Party. The G7 members stand with all Afghans in their demand to exercise their human rights consistent with Afghanistan’s obligations under international law. Taliban policies designed to erase women from public life will have consequences for how our countries engage with the Taliban.
Handover of the G7 Presidency to Japan
1. Under the German Presidency in 2022, G7 members, together with their international partners, have demonstrated unity and resolve in supporting Ukraine, building on their shared values and commitment to the rules-based international order, with the UN Charter at its core. G7 members will continue to work with others to mitigate the global consequences of the war that Russia has unleashed on Ukraine, harming Ukraine and the world’s most vulnerable. The G7 stands ready to continue and further strengthen this commitment under the upcoming Japanese G7 Presidency in 2023.
23/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : North Korea – UK spokesperson response to firing of two short-range ballistic missiles [December 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 December 2022.

North Korea has fired two short-range ballistic missiles from its capital Pyongyang’s Sunan area on Friday, according to reports by the South Korean military.

An FCDO spokesperson said:

North Korea’s ballistic missile launches on 23 December are a breach of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. North Korea’s repeated testing of ballistic missile technology poses a threat to our regional partners and global security.

North Korea must return to dialogue and take credible steps towards denuclearisation in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

The UK is working closely with partners to urge the North Korean regime to prioritise the well-being of its people instead of the unlawful pursuit of nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

23/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : New King’s Counsel welcomed by Lord Chancellor [December 2022]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 23 December 2022.

His Majesty The King has approved the appointment of 95 barristers and solicitors as new King’s Counsel (KC) in England and Wales.

His Majesty has also approved the appointment of 9 legal figures to receive Honorary King’s Counsel awards.

The title of KC is awarded to those who have demonstrated particular skill and expertise in the conduct of advocacy.

Honorary KCs are awarded to those who have made a major contribution to the law of England and Wales, outside practice in the courts.

The Lord Chancellor will preside over the appointment ceremony at Westminster Hall on 27 March 2023, where he will formally bestow the titles.

Biographies of honorary King’s Counsel

John Battle is a leading figure and driving force behind the issue of filming court proceedings, leading the broadcast industry group (BBC, ITN, Sky, PA), and is recognised for his commitment to his extensive work between the media, MoJ and senior judiciary.

Lionel Bently is a universally respected professor of intellectual property law at the University of Cambridge. He was nominated for his publications which rank among the most influential texts in intellectual property law and for playing a crucial role in influencing intellectual property law in this jurisdiction and beyond.

Richard Edwin Ekins is a legal academic and Professor of Law and Constitutional Government at the University of Oxford. He is the author of a number of highly influential books and journal articles. Since 2015, he has led Policy Exchange’s Judicial Power Project and has made a major contribution to public debate, and parliamentary deliberation, about the constitutional role of the courts.

Rosemary Hunter is Professor of Law and Socio-Legal Studies and Head of the Law School at the University of Kent. She is a leading scholar in the study of the Family Justice system and sits as the Academic Member of the Family Justice Council. Her work in the important field of domestic abuse has directly affected legislative developments.

Dr Ann Olivarius is an American British lawyer widely recognised for her leading role in the fields of women’s rights, sexual harassment and sexual abuse. She has been at the forefront of the fight against image-based sexual abuse and privacy violations. She played an instrumental part in lobbying Parliament to pass laws against the disclosure of non-consensual private images

Richard Susskind OBE FRSE holds professorships at the University of Oxford, Gresham College and Strathclyde University. He has worked in technology and law for 40 years and has written many related books. He has been recognised for his work promoting technology and innovation in legal and court services across England and Wales.

James Wakefield was instrumental in establishing the Council of the Inns of Court as a charity and founding the Inns of Court College of Advocacy. The College introduced a new two part Bar Course. He also helped to write new sanctions guidance for the Bar. These demonstrate his commitment to promoting access to the profession and encouraging retention of those from under-represented groups.

Julian Vincent Roberts is Emeritus Professor of Criminology at the University of Oxford and Executive Director of the Sentencing Academy. He is recognised as a leading academic authority in England and Wales on sentencing theory, policy, and practice; his work has made a major contribution to the analysis and development of sentencing worldwide.

Sir Michael Wood has contributed much to the progressive development and codification of international law. He is a long-serving member of the UN International Law Commission (ILC). As a prominent member of the ILC he has made an invaluable and lasting contribution to international law as it is taught and applied in the UK and beyond.

Applicant
No Title Applicant Name
49846 Ms Apps, Katherine
42582 Dr Armstrong, Nicholas James Buchanan
48545 Mr Atrill, Simon Paul
42169 Mr Baker, Richard
34422 Mr Balysz, Mark
50235 Mr Baradon, Adam Hedley
38501 Ms Bhogal, Kuljit
45365 Mr Bowe, Timothy Michael
48787 Mr Brinsmead-Stockham, John
41463 Mr Brooks, Duncan John Macfarlane
34548 Mr Buckingham, Paul Richard
48956 Mr Casey, Noel
48215 Mr Cloherty, Adam
54004 Mr Cook, Alexander James
49022 Ms Darwin, Claire Louise
28984 Mr Davis, Richard Jolyon Harold
41776 Mr Davy, Neil Geoffrey
42844 Ms Den Besten, Ruth Michelle
49361 Mr Dhar, Siddharth
480409 Ms Donnelly, Kathleen
49192 Mr Dracos, Marcos Gregorios
36149 Mr Easton, Jonathan Mark
42560 Mr Edwards, Owen Meirion
32782 Ms Ellin, Nina Caroline
53334 Mr Eschwege, Richard John
48601 Miss Ferber, Iris
40351 Mr Fetto, Niazi Peter
41636 Mr FitzGerald, Benedict Andrew
47489 Ms Gartland, Dorothea Susan
46431 Mr Goodman, Alexander David Edmund
40822 Miss Greaney, Nicola Clare
40394 Mr Green, Garry Anthony
35693 Mr Grieves, Edward James
46760 Mr Horne, James Michael
23979 Mr Jarman, Mark
53340 Mr Jones, Michael David
42189 Mrs Karaiskos, Maria
46308 Mr Lask, Benjamin Bela David
46879 Mr Lavy, Matthew Montague
36408 Mr Lennon, John
24653 Mr Leonard, James
34786 Mr Lewis, Jonathan Mark
21818 Mr Lewis, Meyric
42670 Ms MacLynn, Claire Louise
393501 Mr McClure, Michael John
52684 Mr McCourt Fritz, Daniel William
Applicants recommended for appointment 2022
37878 Mr Middleton, Joseph
42888 Ms Misra, Eleena
49661 Miss Morris, Anna
53417 Mr Morrison, Craig David
47029 Ms Motraghi, Nadia Artemis
40197 Miss Mulholland, Helen Maureen
15941 Ms Murphy, Fiona Clare
32271 Miss Murray, Judith Rowena
47388 Mr Newton, Benjamin
49276 Ms Ní Ghrálaigh, Blinne Nessa Áine
45145 Miss Nolten, Sonia Jayne
57267 Ms Omeri, Sheryn
40343 Ms Paget, Henrietta Frances
45335 Ms Paterson, Fiona
52720 Mr Pearce, Luke Ricardo
39289 Mr Peters, Edward James Hedley
37509 Miss Phipps, Sarah Elizabeth
57539 Mr Piccinin, Daniel Peter Clement
51894 Ms Piercy, Catherine
36056 Mr Pliener, David Jonathan
37163 Miss Prager, Sarah
45841 Ms Prince, Laura Margaret
44696 Ms Reed, Lucy Emma
35901 Mr Rees, Christopher Lloyd
22445 Mr Reeve, Matthew Francis
40464 Ms Reindorf, Anna Katerina Awurakua
49817 Mr Richards, Thomas Alexander
34605 Mr Rose, Stephen Paul
44069 Mr Roy, Andrew Robert
30817 Ms Ruck, Mary Ida
42759 Mr Rule, Philip David
44461 Ms Sabic, Irena
31642 Mr Seddon, Duran
37247 Miss Shannon, Nicola Elizabeth Jane
44901 Mr Shaw, Benjamin Christopher
33072 Mr Simkin, Iain
36636 Mr Singh, Talbir
47872 Dr Smith, Henry Forbes
48532 Mr Spencer, Shaun Anthony
50369 Miss Sutton, Emma Naomi
42339 Mr Thomas, Michael James
39004 Mr Troup, Alexander William
45856 Miss van Overdijk, Claire Orit
45662 Miss Wade, Rebecca Lucy
48431 Mr Webb, William Rupert Nicholas
67261 Ms Welsh, Angeline Marie
45376 Ms Whitelaw, Francesca Lucy Kaye
41385 Mr Williams, Guy Donald Irwin
38700 Mr Worsley, Nicholas Frederick Avery

23/12/2022
Mark Drakeford – 2022 Statement on Senedd Reform

The statement made by Mark Drakeford, the First Minister of Wales, on 16 December 2022.

Following the Senedd’s endorsement in June of the recommendations made by the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform (SPC), the Welsh Government issued its formal response, committing to prepare and introduce legislation to take those recommendations forward.

As the Welsh Government response noted: “In some cases, the Senedd’s Business Committee is also asked to consider the recommendations. The Welsh Government will work with the Business Committee on these specific areas”.

I am grateful to the Business Committee for its recent work in respect of Senedd Reform, and for the conclusions set out in its report published on 9 December. We will take into account these conclusions – which relate to the number of Welsh Ministers, Presiding and Deputy Presiding Officers, and Senedd Commissioners, as well as issues related to Senedd Members seeking to change party between elections – as we develop the relevant legislation and the associated policy and delivery work.

The Welsh Government continues to progress the overall programme of work required to translate the SPC recommendations into the legislation necessary to implement the reforms, in line with the timescales outlined in the Co-Operation Agreement. In doing so, we will continue to work in partnership with the Senedd Commission and with other partners in developing the overall delivery programme for the reforms. Further engagement with external partners is planned for the new year.

We will provide a further update to the Senedd on progress with this work by Easter 2023.

23/12/2022
Rebecca Evans – 2022 Statement on the Welsh Consultation on a Fairer Council Tax

The statement made by Rebecca Evans, the Welsh Minister for Finance and Local Government, in the Welsh Parliament on 16 December 2022.

I am pleased to publish today a summary of responses to the Welsh Government’s Phase 1 consultation on A Fairer Council Tax. The consultation outlined an ambitious programme of reforms as the starting point on our journey towards meeting the Programme for Government and Cooperation Agreement commitment to deliver a fairer and more progressive council tax for Wales.

We know that council tax helps to fund essential public services, like schools and social care, from which we all receive huge benefits. Council tax is also a key policy lever for ensuring important financial contributions from households are fairly distributed. I am committed to reforming the system so that it reflects our current and future economic circumstances, funds services that benefit everyone, builds in regular updates to keep the tax fair in the future, and remains a local tax that connects people with communities.

The consultation sought early views from individuals, organisations and key stakeholders on three broad areas of reform including: a proposed property revaluation and rebanding exercise with regular updates in the future; a review of council tax discounts, disregards, exemptions and premiums; and a review of our national Council Tax Reduction Scheme. The consultation was clear that reforms would not seek to increase the total amount of council tax raised overall from council taxpayers.

The consultation ran from 12 July to 4 October 2022 and received over 1,000 responses, reflecting a wide spectrum of views and interests. I am grateful to everyone who participated.

I have carefully considered the consultation responses and we will now reflect on the information provided in response to the consultation alongside detailed evidence about the operation of the council tax system and our ambitions for the reform of council tax. These considerations will inform the next steps we take to make council tax fairer. Where we intend to make future changes, I am committed to outlining these in detail in a Phase 2 consultation later in 2023.

The summary of consultation responses is available here.

This important reform agenda is part of our Cooperation Agreement with Plaid Cymru. I will continue to work closely with the Designated Member, Cefin Campbell, as well as with key stakeholders including local government, property valuation and socioeconomic specialists, and a range of organisations that represent the people of Wales. I am also committed to continuing to engage with citizens about the purpose and delivery of a fairer system.

It remains my ambition to achieve meaningful reform over the course of this Senedd term, as Wales continues to face unprecedented challenges and a cost-of-living crisis. The benefits of a more progressive system are well-documented and we must continue our work to reduce wealth inequalities and disparities across Wales.

I will keep Members informed of developments as the work progresses.

23/12/2022
Eluned Morgan – 2022 Statement on Community Care Capacity Building

The statement made by Eluned Morgan, the Welsh Minister for Health and Social Services, on 16 December 2022.

Our health service is facing unprecedented demand this winter. Some people are staying in hospital longer than they need to and this, in turn, has a severe knock-on effect for planned care and creates delays for the ambulance service. Most importantly, every unnecessary extra day in hospital has a detrimental effect on peoples’ own recovery and longer-term outcomes.

Earlier this year we knew that the coming winter would be very challenging, and that is why NHS organisations and local authorities have been working together for many months to develop extra community capacity to help people get care closer to home this Winter. We have been jointly chairing a Care Action Group of senior NHS and local government leaders to drive progress. As a result of this joint endeavour across health and social care, a minimum of 508 extra community beds and home care packages will be available, and this will have a positive impact on releasing hospital beds in every part of Wales.

Step Down beds, and community packages of care arranged through micro care and more extensive use of Direct Payments, will support people to return to their communities when they no longer need treatment in hospital but may require more time, support, and care. An extra 508 beds and community care packages have been confirmed by local health boards and local authorities so far, with more currently being developed. The additional capacity is being funded from the Welsh Government’s Regional Integration Fund and local authorities and health boards’ own resources.

Alongside this, prevention of poor health and wellbeing is a top priority, which will also help to reduce demand on our acute services. The NHS and local authorities continue to help individuals and communities to access information, advice and support locally, as early as possible to prevent their needs escalating. For example, community connector schemes and social prescribing programmes are helping people to access the many resources in their community to help them stay well at home.

There are many ways to get the right care, in the right place, first time. From pharmacists to minor injury units and mental health helplines to online consultations, there are many ways to access the NHS in Wales. So, it’s easier to get care, help and advice with new or existing conditions, even without leaving your home or workplace.

Our commitment in the draft Budget to allocate an additional £70m to ensure social care workers in Wales will receive the Real Living Wage demonstrates Welsh Government’s commitment to the care system, and we will build on this to develop stronger community health and social care services.

23/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : Hundreds of extra community beds to help people leave hospitals in Wales quicker this winter [December 2022]

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 16 December 2022.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan and WLGA leader Andrew Morgan have announced more than 500 extra step-down beds and community care packages for Wales this winter, to help people get care closer to home and free up hospital beds.

The ‘Step Down’ service will support people to return to their communities when they no longer need treatment in hospital but may require more time, support, and specialist care. Care at home services are also being boosted to enable more people to return to their own home.

An extra 508 beds and community care packages have been confirmed by local health boards and local authorities so far, with many more currently being negotiated.

They are being provided by funding from the Welsh Government’s Regional Integration Fund and local authorities and health boards’ own resources.

The Welsh Government this week also announced an extra £70m to ensure social care workers in Wales will receive the Real Living Wage. That is part of wider efforts to recruit and retain social care workers and strengthen the sector to help support eh NHS as it faces one of its toughest winters.

Health Minster Eluned Morgan said:

Our health service is facing unprecedented demand this winter. But we know some people are staying in hospital longer than they need to. This in turn, has a severe knock-on effect for people waiting for operations and creates delays for the ambulance service. We have been working hard with health boards and local authorities for months to make sure we have enough community beds this winter and there is still work going on to secure more beds. I hope to be able to announce more beds soon. Through this new initiative we can not only care for people closer to home but also free up more beds in our hospitals.

Deputy Minister for Social Services Julie Morgan said:

We know everyone wants to return to their community as soon as possible, following a hospital stay. But the current social care workforce shortages mean that’s not always possible at the moment. A short-term stay in a Step Down facility, is the next best thing, with review and transfer to home as soon as possible.

This week we also announced a £70m investment for social workers to receive the Real Living Wage. This is part of our longer-term strategy to boost the recruitment and retention of social care staff in Wales and to make sure the care system can meet future demand.

Councillor Andrew Morgan (Rhondda Cynon Taf), WLGA Leader said:

We know the health sector and social care services are both under severe strain. These innovative packages will help to build move-on capacity and improve flow across the health and social care system and to free some of the areas under pressures, such as discharges from hospitals and the impact this can have on ambulance waiting lists and admittance to hospitals.

This increased capacity in the community, that councils have created working in partnership with health and supported by our social care providers, is an example of the practical solutions that happen as a product of co-operation across the health sector, Welsh Government and local government, which we hope will have tangible benefits and positive impacts for individuals, particularly over the Winter period when services remain under significant pressure.

People who are referred to ‘step down’ facilities include those who are medically fit to leave hospital, no longer meet the criteria for an acute hospital bed but require care and support services which cannot be provided in their own homes or require a short-term stay as they are deemed unsafe to return to their home pending a start date for community packages of care.

Individuals, their families and carers will be provided with information on their care plans.

23/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : Greens urge UK to step up action on biodiversity loss after COP15 deal announced [December 2022]

The press release issued by the Green Party on 19 December 2022.

The Green Party has welcomed the deal to halt biodiversity loss announced at the UN’s COP15 summit in Canada today, but warned the UK government and others must now step up to the plate to make the promises a reality.

Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer said:

“Now that we have reached this point, it is vital that governments step up with the money and the plans to not only halt the destruction of Earth’s ecosystems but actually restore the natural world we all depend upon.

“Here in the UK, we have one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, yet the government has made no progress on its own commitment to restore 30% of land for nature by 2030. Instead, it has gone in the wrong direction with its foolish and short-sighted attacks on the natural world that have rightly been condemned by charities.

“With this international deal now in place, it is incumbent on the UK government to start taking the necessary action on the ecological emergency which currently poses real threats to human society – to food and water supplies, to clean air, to our ability to adapt to a warming world.

“This starts with richer nations contributing money and resources to start taking action to deliver on this deal – as many of the world’s most important countries for biodiversity are also some of the poorest. But it also requires serious attention to the biodiversity loss here in the UK.

“If the government wants to demonstrate a genuine commitment to halting and reversing species decline, it will show leadership by introducing a Rights of Nature Act. This would provide legal protections for wildlife and habitats in England and Wales and be enforced by an independent Commission for Nature. It would also ensure that the regeneration of nature is at the heart of all policy considerations.

“The government must also immediately stop dragging its feet on introducing the promised nature-friendly farming payments scheme, publish a clear pathway to meet its commitment to restore 30% of land for nature by 2030 and scrap plans to weaken protections for nature in the Retained EU Law (revocation and reform) Bill.”

23/12/2022