Tag: 2023

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 7 February 2023.

Wales’ Draft Budget will be debated today in the Senedd, as high inflation continues to stretch the finances of households, businesses and our public services across the country.

Speaking ahead of today’s debate, Finance Minister Rebecca Evans said:

Our Draft Budget protects public services, businesses, and our most vulnerable citizens in the face of a perfect storm of ongoing financial pressures.

Our approach is designed to maximise the impact of all our available resources, despite the hard times we find ourselves in. This means balancing the short-term needs associated with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis with the continued need to make longer-term change and create a stronger, fairer, greener Wales.

The Welsh Government’s Budget is worth up to £3 billion less over the 3-year spending review period than when it was originally announced, with the 2023-24 Draft Budget worth up to £1 billion less. Wales also faces a £1.1 billion shortfall in funding as a result of the UK government’s post-EU funding arrangements.

The minister continued:

We have taken some very tough decisions, but our approach will ensure every pound invested makes the greatest positive impact.

We have re-focused our funding towards our 3 main priorities for 2023-24: protecting frontline public services and our ambitions for the future, continuing to provide help to those most affected by the cost-of-living crisis and supporting our economy through near-recession times.

Last Friday the Welsh Government made an improved pay offer to trade unions, which led to the suspension of strike action across most of the NHS.

The minister added:

I recognise the ongoing challenges around public sector pay and we continue to work closely with unions to find a resolution to pay disputes. We fully understand the strength of feeling from the workforce.

We will continue to do what we can with the resources we have, despite the UK government constantly refusing to give hard-working public sector workers a pay rise. The Spring Budget in March will be another opportunity for the Chancellor to rectify this, and we are re-iterating our calls for him to take action to protect public services.

The Welsh Government’s Draft Budget allocates a further £165 million for NHS Wales to help protect frontline services as well as £18.8 million for the Discretionary Assistance Fund, providing lifeline emergency cash payments to people facing financial hardship.

An additional £227 million is also being provided to local government to help safeguard the services delivered by councils, such as schools and social care. This funding also helps provide a £460 million 2-year business support package, which provides 75% rates relief and ensures there will be no inflationary impact in the amount of rates businesses are paying.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 7 February 2023.

“We want to improve equality and inclusion for all LGBTQ+ people, so as a community we feel safe to be ourselves free from fear, discrimination and hate.”

Those were the words of the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership, Hannah Blythyn, who, alongside the Leader of Plaid Cymru, Adam Price, today (Tuesday, February 7) set out exactly how the Welsh Government will make a real difference to the lives, prospects, and outcomes for all LGBTQ+ people.

Launching the LGBTQ+ Action Plan, which underlines Wales’ intention to advance LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion, the Deputy Minister said it was the first-time existing commitments had been brought together to set bold but realistic goals towards a society where “inclusion and celebration of LGBTQ+ people is rooted at its centre”.

The Deputy Minister said:

We have come a long way in the past few decades, but we cannot be complacent. Progress can and never should be taken for granted. LGBTQ+ communities remain under attack, with our hard-fought-for rights at risk of being rolled back around the world, including here in the UK.

I’m proud that here in Wales LGBTQ+ rights are embedded in the Welsh Government’s Programme for Government commitments and the LGBTQ+ Action Plan is a commitment in the Co-operation Agreement with Plaid Cymru.

The plan is ambitious but with hope at its heart. We are absolutely committed to meaningful change for LGBTQ+ communities, creating a society and country where LGBTQ+ people are safe to live and love authentically, openly and freely as ourselves.

The Action Plan includes a wide range of policy-specific actions from improving safety, education, housing, health and social care, to promoting community cohesion and more.

In particular, it shows a clear commitment to defending and promoting the rights and dignity of trans and non-binary people.

Leader of Plaid Cymru Adam Price MS said:

This plan shows how we are working together to make a more just, fairer, tolerant Wales. Politics is about making a difference and improving the lives of the people you serve.

This means delivering change for everyone in society and we are proud to be working with the Welsh Government on our shared ambition for Wales to be the most LGBTQ+ friendly nation in Europe. This plan shows our concrete commitment to delivering that.

The fact that this plan has been jointly developed by parties whose Members make up two thirds of our national parliament provides a strong basis on which to bring the Plan’s commitments to life as practical actions on the ground in our communities.

Tackling all forms of injustice is essential and together we can create a fairer society, promoting the rights of everyone in the LGBTQ+ community.

To mark the publication of the Plan, the two politicians – who are open members of the LGBTQ+ community themselves – visited the Pride and Protest exhibition at St Fagans National Museum of History, which includes protest banners and LGBTQ+ campaign badges from Amgueddfa Cymru’s collection of objects from Pride events across Wales.

The Deputy Minister added:

Welsh LGBTQ+ culture and heritage in Wales has contributed to our legacy and experiences as a nation – for too long our history has been hidden and these stories need to be told.

The showcasing of LGBTQ+ stories in history and heritage is getting better. This exhibition is an excellent example, and the plan aims to build on this.

Putting the actions into practice, across culture, education, health and more, will play a significant part in achieving our ambition of being the most LGBTQ+ friendly nation in Europe.

The Welsh Government has worked with a wide range of LGBTQ+ communities and organisations to help develop the LGBTQ+ Action Plan, and it will act as the basis for developing future policy along with partners.

Lisa Power is a lifelong LGBTQ+ activist who co-founded Stonewall and contributed to the development of the LGBTQ+ Action Plan. Lisa said:

In my view, Wales is a shining beacon in this area.

When many people look at LGBTQ+ issues, they only see the LGBTQ-ness of the people and they don’t recognise that we are citizens alongside everyone else.

This Action Plan is clear on what it is going to do and how. It recognises that being LGBTQ+ is part of a more complex and often intersectional identity and that all kinds of matters affect us across our life.

Through the work I do internationally, I increasingly get comments from people who recognise Wales as a country trying to protect all of its citizens – and that absolutely includes LGBTQ+ citizens.

Davinia Green, Director of Stonewall Cymru said:

I welcome the LGBTQ+ Action Plan for Wales. It is a clear and positive commitment, particularly important when hard-won LGBTQ+ rights are being challenged. This is an important part of the journey to creating LGBTQ+ inclusive society here in Wales, but not the end conclusion. We should not become complacent.

If Wales is to become the leading nation in Europe on LGBTQ+ rights, tackling increasing hate crime, supporting inclusive RSE curriculum and removing healthcare barriers will be particularly important.

Ambassador for organisations including Pride Cymru and LGBT+ Sport Cymru, sports reporter and presenter, Beth Fisher said:

Growing up as a gay woman in Wales wasn’t always easy, and it was not always easy to be visible. This is why I am so grateful that the Welsh Government have put this LGBTQ+ Action Plan forward – to make Wales an easier place to live in for those who are within that community, to be their authentic selves.

I hope that the Action Plan will ensure future generations are safer and able to express themselves how they wish.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 3 February 2023.

Welsh Government announce an enhanced pay offer has been made to health trade unions.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said:

Following continued discussions over the last week, we are pleased to announce that an enhanced pay offer has been made to our health trade unions. On this basis, we are hopeful that the planned industrial action over Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th February will be postponed, allowing trade unions to discuss the proposals further with their members. Individual trade unions will confirm their intentions regarding next week’s action, prior to further talks with their members.

This revised pay offer comprises an additional 3%, of which 1.5% is consolidated so will be in pay packets year-on-year, on top of the Pay Review Body recommendations, which have already been implemented in full. This offer will be backdated to April 2022. Included in this revised package are a number of non-pay commitments to enhance staff well-being, on which negotiations will continue next week.

Whilst there is currently no improved pay offer on the table for NHS staff in England, it was also agreed that any resulting Barnett consequential following any improved offer to staff in England would result in a further pay offer to staff in Wales.

We would like to thank those that have participated in the negotiations for their positive engagement and goodwill. We are awaiting a formal response from each of the individual trade unions.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 2 February 2023.

Brand new trains, hydrogen fuelled buses and tripling walking and cycling routes – these are just some of the ways the Welsh Government plans to ‘make the right thing to do, the easy thing to do’ according to Deputy Minister Lee Waters.

The Deputy Climate Change Minister – who has responsibility for transport – provided an update on how transport plans are progressing across Wales while at a visit to see electrification rail works taking place in Radyr.

To date the Welsh Government has invested more than £1.6bn on a series of transport programmes across Wales which will be essential in helping the Welsh Government deliver carbon reduction targets.

As part of this plan key partners, including local authorities and Transport for Wales, have been tasked with developing regional transport plans for all four parts of Wales.

These will ensure services meet the needs of the community.

Deputy Minister Lee Waters said

We are all focused on building a new transport system that is high quality and sustainable.

I want to make the right thing to do the easy thing to do and that means encouraging more people out of their cars to walk, cycle, or use public transport.

We are all focused on building a new transport system that is high quality and sustainable.

I want to make the right thing to do the easy thing to do and that means encouraging more people out of their cars to walk, cycle, or use public transport.

Here’s what’s been happening across Wales so far:

North Wales Metro

Transforming rail, bus and active travel services across North Wales is a key factor in reducing rural isolation and opening up employment and leisure opportunities across the region.

For the first time in generations direct services between North Wales and Liverpool have been reinstated with active travel routes opened helping to connect locals to bus and train stations in Flintshire, Wrexham, and Gwynedd.

More than a quarter of journeys are already made by walking and cycling, but over the next 20 years we need to increase this to over a third if we are to meet our carbon targets.

That’s why plans are being put in place to further improve connections to stations near Bangor, Flint, Holyhead, Llandudno, Llandudno Junction, Colwyn Bay, Shotton, Deeside, Wrexham, Rhyl and Prestatyn. Work is also under way to progress a forward-thinking masterplan for Holyhead which recognises its critical role in transport and economic development.

Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro

Work on creating an integrated transport network in the Swansea Bay area is progressing well.

While detailed development and design work takes shape, the Welsh Government has taken steps to make changes to improve public transport and active travel in the short term.

This includes the popular decision to combine bus and rail tickets on the T1 Traws Cymru service linking Aberystwyth and Carmarthen and converting the vehicles and depot facilities to battery electric operation.

As part of this more immediate work TfW is also developing two large scale pilots for Swansea Bay and the Haven Waterway to introduce a fleet of hydrogen fuel cell buses by the mid-2020s, supporting the wider decarbonisation of the bus fleet in Wales.

Increased capacity on services to West Wales and between Southwest Wales and Manchester are planned, as well as developing options for additional and faster intercity mainline services, complemented by a comprehensive, high frequency bus network serving urban areas in Swansea, Neath, Llanelli, and Port Talbot.

South Wales Metro

Work is progressing at pace to upgrade the rail network, public transport hubs and active travel routes across south Wales.

The development of Cardiff’s new multi-modal transport interchange in the heart of the city provides passengers with a more enjoyable experience and safer environment with on-street bus stops, taxi, active travel provision and improved connectivity to Cardiff Bay.

The striking new £100 million Integrated Control Centre and train depot at Taffs Well is making great progress and will play a key role in increasing the number of services on the core valleys line, as well as housing the new fleet of tram trains. Some people are already benefitting from the new trains with a plan for up to 95% of all rail passengers to travel on the new trains by 2025.

As well as rail, bus services are being reviewed with local authorities and industry partners to develop a more effective and integrated public transport network. As part of this system the Welsh Government is investing in a Pay as You Go ticketing scheme using contactless debit/credit cards. Building on the success of a pilot in North Wales last year, a trial will operate on train and bus services between Cardiff and Newport later this year.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 1 February 2023.

The Welsh Government has today set out its plans to address the challenges of staffing the Welsh NHS.

The National Workforce Implementation Plan has been published in response to the additional demands on the NHS workforce since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The NHS Wales workforce is at record levels, with over 105,000 staff directly employed currently. However, there is expected to be increasing demand globally for healthcare workers, with the World Health Organisation predicting a shortfall of 10 million health workers globally by 2030.

The plan includes immediate actions to address the current pressures within the NHS. The actions include ethically recruiting more nurses from overseas, with a recruitment drive planned for later in 2023. Last year the ‘Once for Wales’ pilot campaign led to around 400 nurses joining the NHS.

There are also plans to create an ‘All-Wales Collaborative Bank’ to enable the NHS to address short-term staffing issues and provide staff with choice and flexibility, while encouraging a move away from agency working.

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) is developing proposals to deploy reservists to support the regular workforce at times of extreme pressure, such as for the urgent roll-out of a national vaccination programme, as seen during the pandemic.

The Welsh Government also plans to encourage more volunteers into the health and care system, adding to the existing network of people who give their time to help others.

The Welsh Government will issue detailed plans for specific professions and services such as nursing, dentistry and pharmacy over the next two years.

Eluned Morgan, the Minister for Health and Social Services, said:

Our health workforce has reached record numbers in Wales, to help meet the increasing demand on its services. But we are seeing demand for health and social care like never before, in Wales and across the world.

Our plans are based on what NHS staff have been telling us – that rapid action is needed in key areas now.

The message is clear: we must accelerate our action, with strong, collective and compassionate leadership, if we are to improve retention and recruitment. It’s vital we provide our workforce with the working environment it needs to continue to provide world-class care for the people of Wales.

Dr Olwen Williams OBE, vice president for Wales, Royal College of Physicians said:

We know the NHS workforce is under a great deal of pressure. In our most recent membership survey in December 2022, the Royal College of Physicians found that staff shortages are the biggest challenge facing the NHS, with 64% of respondents in Wales saying they were being asked to fill rota gaps at short notice and 49% saying that reducing staff vacancies in their team would make the biggest difference to their wellbeing.

I’m delighted to see this plan published. We’ve previously joined with other royal colleges and professional bodies to call for action, and this is an important first step in the process. We also welcome recent engagement with the royal colleges over this workforce plan and hope to continue these conversations.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 30 January 2023.

Minister Julie James has today (Monday, January 30) announced a new £50m scheme to bring more empty homes back to life.

The National Empty Homes Grant scheme, that will run over the next two years, has been developed to build on the success of previous Welsh Government initiatives like the Valleys Taskforce Empty Homes Grant.

The National Empty Homes Scheme could see up to 2,000 long-term empty properties brought back into use. This scheme will run alongside with other Welsh Government schemes like Leasing Scheme Wales which is designed to improve access to longer term affordable housing in the private rental sector.

Climate Change Minister Julie James said:

I am pleased to announce the allocation of £50m that will be used to bring more empty properties in Wales back into use.

The latest statistics show there are more than 22,000 long-term empty properties in Wales. These are a wasted housing resource that can become a blight on our communities.

The funding announced today will be used to reduce the number of empty properties and, therefore, increase housing supply.

A grant of up to £25,000 will be available for home owners or prospective home owners to remove significant hazards from their properties to make them safe to live in and to improve their energy efficiency.

In order to qualify for the grant, the property must have been registered as empty with the local authority for a minimum of 12 months prior to commencement of the works.

Once the works have been completed, the successful applicant must then live in that property as their main and only residence for a minimum of five years.

Aside from owner occupiers, Registered Social Landlords, local authorities and community housing groups will also be able to access the funding for empty properties they are acquiring to bring back into use as affordable housing.

The scheme has been developed with the local authorities and will be administered by Rhondda Cynon Taff Council on behalf of the Welsh Government.

Each participating local authority will have an allocation each year and will be responsible for undertaking surveys of the properties to identify and recommend the qualifying works for grant funding.

A list of the participating local authorities can be found here. More local authorities will be added to the list once ready to accept applications.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 24 January 2023.

Climate Change Minister Julie James has today (Tuesday, January 24) published a consultation on ‘ambitious but credible’ targets for Wales to meet 100% of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2035.

Wales is already making good progress on previous targets set in 2017 and, already, generates 55% of our electricity from renewables.

Today, the Minister proposed Wales sets a target for at least 1.5 GigaWatt of renewable energy capacity to be locally owned by 2035, excluding heat pumps.

There is also a target for 5.5 GigaWatt of renewable energy capacity to be produced by heat pumps by 2035 but this is subject to scaled up support from the UK Government and reductions in the cost of technology.

Climate Change Minister Julie James said:

Our previous targets signalled our high ambitions for renewable energy and this Government’s desire to move away from a use of, and reliance on, fossil fuels.

However, the climate crisis shows that we cannot afford to rest on our laurels. Providing new targets compels us to stride towards Net Zero as quickly as we realistically can.

The evidence is clear that towards the end of this decade we will need to rapidly ramp up our generation of electricity to meet our energy needs.

The renewable energy target proposals that we are consulting on today are ambitious, but credible.

I am very pleased that they propose a pathway for us to meet the equivalent of 100% of our annual electricity consumption from renewable electricity by 2035, and to continue to keep pace with consumption thereafter.

The Minister stressed that Wales’ infrastructure and supply chain would be key to hitting these revised targets and went on to reveal details of £1m funding to explore the potential of offshore wind.

This grant will be match funded by Associated British Ports for preparatory work to enable future floating offshore wind projects to deploy from Wales.

The Minister added:

This investment signals, to both the industry and the UK Government, Welsh Government’s commitment to the floating wind sector. It also provides important funding for the infrastructure that we will need to deliver floating wind to meet our ambitions.

Of course, this is not the end of our support, and we will continue to work closely with Port Talbot, Milford Haven Port Authority and colleagues in the Celtic Sea Alliance to maximise the benefits from floating wind to Wales.

Andrew Harston, Regional Director, Wales & Short Sea Ports added:

Associated British Ports warmly welcomes this early-stage support from Welsh Government to help kick start the development of a major green energy hub at Port Talbot. This support is key to the construction of transformational infrastructure, which will enable the manufacturing, integration and assembly of floating offshore wind components at Port Talbot.

The roll-out of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity for South Wales to lead a global market and will play a major role in contributing to Wales and the UK’s net zero targets. By doing so it will support and create thousands of long-term, high-quality jobs.

As the gateway to the Celtic Sea, and with unique capabilities and natural advantages, this support will help position Port Talbot at the heart of these emerging green technologies and industrial decarbonisation.