Category: Press Releases

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 23 December 2022.

Dr Irvine is currently the UK Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer and policy Deputy Director for Global Animal Health in Defra. He will join the Welsh Government in March.

Richard is a highly experienced veterinarian with a background in animal health and welfare, trade policy, as well as science and state veterinary medicine.

He has held different roles leading animal health surveillance and science programmes at the Animal and Plant Health Agency, as well as time spent in a clinical mixed veterinary practice in South Wales.

Dr Irvine said:

I’m truly delighted to have been appointed as Wales’ Chief Veterinary Officer.

I look forward to supporting Welsh farming in this role, by leading the collective work to safeguard the health and welfare of animals in Wales.

I’m very much looking forward to working as part of the team in the Welsh Government, as well as with all the partners and agencies who work tirelessly to tackle the animal health and welfare challenges we face.

It is a real opportunity to make a difference and build on what has already been achieved. I’m pleased to be able to come back to Wales, after spending some time here working as a vet in practice.

I am delighted to have the opportunity to play my part and look forward to starting my new role.

Welcoming the appointment Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths said:

Congratulations to Richard on his appointment as Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales. He joins us as we strive to reach our long-term vision for the eradication of bovine TB in Wales, and we face the largest incursion of Avian Influenza the UK has ever seen.

I look forward to working with him to deliver our ambitious Animal Health and Welfare goals and Programme for Government commitments.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 22 December 2022.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said:

October saw the first decrease in the number of patient pathways waiting to start treatment since April 2020. Although record levels of demand on the ambulance service were reported in November there was also some improvement in emergency department performance.

More than 376,000 consultations+ were carried out in October in hospital alone and over 106,000 patient pathways were closed, an increase of 12.8% from the previous month.

Progress continues to be made on the longest waits. Two year waits for treatment have fallen for the seventh month in a row and are down by 23% since the peak in March. The proportion of pathways waiting less than 26 weeks increased this month with the number waiting more than 36 weeks falling.

The number of pathways waiting longer than one year for their first outpatient appointment dropped for the second month in a row. An all-time record 14,412 people were seen and told they don’t have cancer; this is 4% higher than the previous month. Whilst performance decreased slightly against the 62-day target, more people started their first definitive cancer treatment in October 2022 compared to September 2022.

The proportion of pathways waiting longer than the target times for diagnostics and therapies fell by 4.9% and 4.1% respectively compared to the previous month.

Our ambulance service and emergency department staff remain under increased pressure. November saw the highest number and proportion of ‘red’/ immediately life threatening calls on record and an increase in the total number of attendances across facilities similar to pre-pandemic levels.  However, performance improved against the four hour and twelve hour targets, and there was a reduction in the average wait for an assessment by a doctor.

Whilst we acknowledge ambulance performance is not where we expect it to be, we are driving system improvements, including extending same-day emergency care services to open seven-days a week, improving management of 999 patients on the phone, and recruiting more staff. Without all this the pressure on the system would be even greater.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 21 December 2022.

A statement by Jane Hutt, Minister for Social Justice.

As we approach Christmas, I want to update Members about recent issues relating to our ongoing humanitarian Ukraine response. After months of asking for certainty about the future funding of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, the UK Government has provided some clarity about a number of issues we have discussed in the Siambr.

The UK Government’s announcement about future Homes for Ukraine funding includes an extension to the host ‘thank you’ payments to the end of the second year after a Ukrainian’s arrival in the UK – something we had repeatedly asked for. It will also be uplifted to £500 a month where the hosted Ukrainian has already been in the UK for 12 months.

We had asked for this uplift to be available this winter, to help people cope with high energy bills and to help prevent homelessness presentations. Unfortunately, it will only be available from the end of Spring 2023.

The funding announcement also includes disappointing news – there will be no year two funding tariff for Homes for Ukraine visa holders. This is out-of-step with other UK Government resettlement routes and will put immense pressure on local authorities and the Welsh Government.

We would have expected to see a year two tariff of around £6,000 per person. Instead, the UK Government will make available a proportionate share of a new £150m housing support fund. We expect this to bring between £7m and £9m to Wales – compared with around £37m if the year two tariff was available.

Furthermore, the UK Government has said it intends to cut the year one tariff for new arrivals (after 1 January 2023) from £10,500 to £5,900. There are approximately 2,400 visas granted to individuals who are yet to travel to Wales. If all were to arrive after 1 January, Welsh local authorities would receive £14.16m compared with the £25.2m which would have been available when the visa applications were initially made and supported.

There is still no clarity about any year three tariff or alternative fund to continue to support people from Ukraine while they are in the UK. Under other resettlement schemes a year three tariff of £4,020 has been used. If no funding is made available, then a further £24.92m in potential support will not be available to those already here. If we include all those with visas who are yet to arrive, the total value of potential lost support could be as high as £34.57m.

The Welsh Government has already taken the decision to include £40m in our Draft Budget to continue our support people from Ukraine in Wales in 2023-24 and a further allocation of £20m in 2024-25. We will work closely with our local government partners to re-evaluate our strategy to ensure support can be provided to all those who need it over the coming year. These allocations underline our ongoing commitment as a Nation of Sanctuary to resettle those we have already welcomed and those who are still to arrive.

I am continuing to visit the initial accommodation we have set up across Wales and have today visited a welcome centre in South Wales. I had the opportunity to hear directly from our guests about the support available and how they are settling in Wales. We have this week sent Ukrainians living in Wales another newsletter to help them keep in touch and to wish them a peaceful Christmas in the circumstances.

It is vital that we maintain our focus on support in Ukraine as well as the support provided to people who have sought safety and sanctuary in Wales.

This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 20 December 2022.

The Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan, has urged people to take extra care and only call 999 for life-threatening or serious emergencies during the ambulance strikes.

Ambulance services are expected to be severely impacted by industrial action, as the first of two separate days of planned strike action by some ambulance staff begins tomorrow. The GMB union has announced its members in the ambulance services will go on strike on 21 and 28 December.

The Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust (WAST) expects the number of emergency ambulances able to attend patients will be significantly affected on strike days.

Non-emergency patient transport, which helps people attend hospital appointments, will also be affected, as will non-clinical call handlers in WAST’s contact centres and some support services.

WAST has warned only life-threatening illnesses or injuries are likely to receive an emergency response on strike days. Patients are advised not to call 999 unless someone is very seriously ill or injured, or there is an immediate risk to life.

The very sickest patients will continue to be prioritised, while less seriously ill or injured patients will not receive an ambulance response. This might also mean patients being asked to make their own way to hospital, where their life is not in danger, provided they feel safe to do so.

People are advised to use the NHS 111 Wales website for health advice where there is no immediate threat to life, or speak to or visit a pharmacist, GP or minor injuries unit.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan said:

There’s no doubt the two days of industrial action, following hard on the heels of action by nurses which have caused a delay in treatment for thousands of patients in Wales, are going to cause huge pressure on ambulance services. Ambulances will only be able to respond to the most urgent calls on strike days.

Please don’t add extra pressure on services on these days and consider carefully what activities you take part in tomorrow and on the 28th.

It’s important to call 999 if you are in immediate danger, but we must all consider very carefully how we use ambulance services on these days.

It’s vital that all of us, as users of our NHS, do all we can to minimise pressure on our health service during the industrial action.

Everyone can help relieve the pressure by:

• stocking up on prescription medications and over the counter remedies for common ailments to reduce the risk of you falling ill on strike days
• ensuring you have adequate first aid kit supplies in the event you need to administer self-care for minor injuries at home
• taking extra care during the cold weather to avoid slips, trips and falls, and accidents on the road
• looking out for family, friends and neighbours who are especially vulnerable

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 20 December 2022.

The Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, has responded to the latest agreement that has been reached at COP15 in Montreal.

The Minister said:

I’ve just seen the news coming through that there has been an agreement at COP15.

It’s a bit early to talk about the detail, but it looks like a deal has been done – that there is protection for indigenous people, that the targets have been agreed and some of the finance too.

We’ll have to have a look at the detail, but it’s probably not strong enough on pesticide control and some of the other protections, but what will be really important now is how we get the implementation of it done. These targets need to be met by the end of the decade and Wales will certainly play its part in making sure that happens.

For us, going forward, we will be putting our 30×30 targets in place, we’ll be putting our environmental protections in place, we’ll be learning from people all over the world – in particular in Quebec – on forestry and nature restoration. We’ll be able to be a global leader, I think, in how we get from where we are now to good environmental status for 30% of our land by 2030.

What was really great, when we were there (at COP), was the pressure coming from the seventh summit of ICLEI – the alliance of sub-national governments, provinces, cities and regions from across the world – there was huge pressure upwards towards the UN member states to get something done. The real hope for the world is that those are the people, on the ground, who will be actually implementing the legislation and the protection.

I think it’s now all about making sure we keep those global alliances, get the implementation done as fast as possible and keep the pressure on the UK Government, and other UN member states, to put the finance in place – to put their money where their mouth is, frankly.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 20 December 2022.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 19 December 2022.

An additional 1.5 million free school meals have been served in primary schools across Wales since the rollout of Universal Primary Free School Meals began in September.

As part of the Co-operation Agreement with Plaid Cymru, Universal Primary Free School Meals now allow an extra 45,000 primary school children to have the option of a free school meal. All primary school children and more than 6,000 nursery-age pupils attending a maintained school will be eligible for free school meals by 2024.

Its estimated nearly 66,000 extra pupils will be fed in the first year of roll-out.

£260m has been committed to implement the programme. This includes an additional £60m capital funding for local authorities to invest in improvements to school kitchen facilities, including purchasing equipment and updating digital systems.

Rollout started at the beginning of the autumn term, with reception children receiving the first free meals. Year one and two pupils are now also starting to benefit from the scheme.

Minister for Education and Welsh language, Jeremy Miles, said:

Schools and local authorities across Wales have been working incredibly hard to deliver 1.5m additional Universal Primary Free School Meals in the first few months of the rollout.

I’m pleased that so many primary school children have benefited from the scheme already. Families across Wales are feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis, and Universal Primary Free School Meals are helping to ensure children have a nutritious meal.

The programme will continue to expand in the new year, as even more authorities start offering free meals to Years 1 and 2 by April 2023.

Designated Member Siân Gwenllian said:

Delivering 1.5 million additional free school meals in just over three months is a huge achievement and one that is needed now more than ever.  The roll-out of universal free school meals in all primary schools in Wales shows how co-operative working through the agreement between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government is making a real difference to people’s lives. We are making sure no child goes hungry, while also providing help for families during this cost-of-living crisis.

The number of meals delivered will also increase as we work together to make sure all children attending primary schools will be eligible for free school meals by 2024. I want to thank our local authorities and schools helping us achieve this.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 19 December 2022.

The inclusion of the Gateway site in Deeside on the shortlist of three sites for the Rolls Royce SMR factory to produce key components for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), shows the strength of the skills and expertise in North Wales, Ministers have said.

Rolls Royce SMR has considered over 100 sites across the UK.

The Heavy Pressure Vessels (HPV) factory will support the production of first-of-a kind SMRs in the UK, with additional potential for worldwide export.  The final decision on its location is to be taken in the New Year.

The Welsh Government is committed to developing a low carbon economy and the nuclear sector is seen as key to this ambition. The sector offers significant economic development opportunities as well as contributing to efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The vision for nuclear is focused around investment in place, supporting the supply chain and the development of key skills.

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said:

To reach the shortlist and be considered as one of the final three is a great achievement, and I congratulate the team working on this. With Cwmni Egino in Trawsfynydd leading work to enable SMRs on the site and facilities such as the AMRC championing advance manufacturing, North Wales does provide the skills and expertise for such a facility.

To be featured on this prestigious shortlist is testament to the skills we have in North Wales, and helps further highlight this.

Minister for North Wales Lesley Griffiths said:

The production of SMRs has the potential to be a key contributor to the low carbon economy, and North Wales is already leading the way through Cwmni Egino.  I congratulate all those involved in reaching the shortlist, and whatever the final outcome, this in itself shows the very real strengths of the region in this sector.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 19 December 2022.

Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has awarded Coleg Sir Gar a three-year contract to work on eradicating Sheep Scab in Wales.

Sheep Scab is one of the major disease risks for the sheep industry and can be spread through failures of biosecurity, complex movement patterns, and the mixing of sheep on and off farms, such as through common grazing.

The aims and objectives of the project awarded to Coleg Sir Gar are to improve animal health and welfare standards by supporting industry to eradicate Sheep Scab from Wales.

This consists of:

• Significantly reducing Sheep Scab outbreaks on Welsh farms.
• Accurate understanding of the incidence and prevalence of sheep scab in Wales, including the patterns of its occurrence and spread, to best target control measures.
• Promoting accurate and timely diagnosis of the disease when it occurs, and treating appropriately in a successful, environmentally sustainable, and safe way.
• Increasing awareness within the sheep industry in Wales of the importance of biosecurity and safe sourcing of sheep, to control sheep scab, within the context of other infectious diseases.
• Significantly improving biosecurity within the sheep sector in Wales by designing, delivering, and measuring actions to stop the spread of sheep scab on and off farms, at markets and other points of sheep collection, through short and long-range transport and at common grazing.

Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths said:

The sheep industry in Wales is iconic and is our largest livestock sector.

Sheep Scab is one of the most contagious diseases of sheep and a difficult challenge for the industry.

Effective control of sheep scab, both on a local and national scale is essential. Sheep must be scab-free to be productive and to have a good quality of life.

The All-Wales Sheep Scab Eradication Project will see Coleg Sir Gar working closely with the industry to control and ultimately eradicate Sheep Scab from Wales.

I have long said a collaborative approach is key to success and by working together we can reach our goals.

John Griffiths from Coleg Sir Gar said:

We are delighted to have been awarded the funds to deliver the All-Wales Sheep Scab Eradication Project in partnership with the Royal Vet College.

Evidence of Sheep Scab is frequently confirmed across Wales. It is hoped this consolidated industry-wide effort will achieve significant gains in eradicating this disease.’

Working with Dr Neil Paton of the Royal Vet College we plan to roll out the project in 2023.