Tag: Welsh Government

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 27 October 2022.

Eluned Morgan, Minister for Health and Social Services.

The 10-year pharmacy plan, Pharmacy: Delivering a Healthier Wales, was published in 2019 and sets out how services need to be transformed and how the workforce needs to develop to meet the needs of people in Wales.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has been reviewing the significant progress made against the 15 goals set for 2022 and has been engaging with pharmacy professionals to refresh the vision and to set new goals for the next three years.

The new goals, which are published today, set the expectations for what more can be achieved collectively by 2025. These goals are ambitious, people-focused and designed to harness the contribution of the entire pharmacy team, in all care settings.

We continue to work towards the original aspirations set out in Pharmacy: Delivering a Healthier Wales:

• To enhance patient experience,
• To develop the workforce,
• To deliver seamless pharmaceutical care; and
• To harness the benefits of innovation and technology in pursuit of our aims.

Excellent progress has been made to deliver these aspirations in all sectors of pharmacy practice. Since the introduction our new community pharmacy contractual arrangements, which were described in Presgripsiwn Newydd last year, we are ensuring community pharmacies consistently provide the widest range of clinical services people and the NHS in Wales need.

Approximately one in five community pharmacies are now providing our national pharmacist independent prescribing service, which offers prompt access to treatment for a range of conditions and to regular contraception. We are working to increase this so the service is available in one in three pharmacies by the end of March.

Pharmacy professionals play an essential role in our hospitals and GP practices and we have recently commissioned the Royal Pharmaceutical Society to review how the clinical skills of pharmacists, pharmacist prescribers and the wider pharmacy workforce can be used effectively in hospital settings to improve people’s health outcomes.

The new goals mean that by 2025, pharmacy teams will feel empowered to make every patient contact count, building on strengths of community pharmacies as community assets, as sources of both social capital and convenient access to the services people need.

By continuing to increase the capability and skill within pharmacy teams we will also ensure people have consistent access to highly trained and motivated members of the pharmacy workforce.

Optimising the knowledge and skills of pharmacy professionals as medicines’ experts, we will ensure they are integral in supporting people as they transition between different parts of the health and social care service.

Increasing use of automation will increase the capacity for pharmacy professionals to deliver outstanding care, and using the NHS app, pharmacy teams will work with patients who are empowered to take greater control of their health and medicines.

A great deal has already been achieved. As we embark on the next phase of the journey, pharmacy professionals will achieve even more in the next three years. I am therefore delighted to endorse the pharmacy profession’s refreshed plans.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 25 October 2022.

The Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, has today announced a state-owned energy developer in response to energy insecurity, the cost-of-living crisis and the increasing threats posed by the climate and nature emergencies.

Speaking in the Senedd this afternoon, the Minister said energy profits created in Wales will deliver greater benefit for people in Wales.

Surplus funds generated through the new developer will go back into the public purse to be reinvested in improving energy efficiency in homes in Wales and creating good quality, home grown, clean energy jobs.

Delivering on aims to have more than one gigawatt of locally-owned generation by 2030, the new state-owned energy developer will scale up renewable energy rollout, initially through the development of onshore wind projects on the Welsh Government woodland estate.

Like elsewhere in the UK, some renewable energy projects on the Welsh Government woodland estate have been developed by state-owned energy developers, meaning profits go back to their respective countries.

The Minister said:

We want to harvest our wind and use it to produce power that directly benefits people in Wales.

We will set up a publicly-owned renewable energy developer. This is a long-term sustainable investment that puts net zero and the communities of Wales at the heart of the transition we need.

We are in a climate emergency and our approach is in stark contrast to the UK Government that is focusing on fracking and fossil fuels – opposed by most communities and incompatible with our international obligations.

With soaring living costs and an ongoing lack of certainty around energy supply, the Minister said the current UK market was “bad for bill payers.

The focus of Wales’ energy policy is securing a reliable and diverse energy mix that delivers local benefit.

Minister for Climate Change Julie James added:

This is an historic moment for Wales. The cost-of-living crisis is directly related to the major increase in the cost of energy, which strengthens the need for an approach that returns more to the people of Wales.

If other countries are anything to go by, then we should expect considerable returns from our investment and – as we share the ambitions of these other nations – we have a genuine opportunity to produce an income that will really help us to deliver here.

We are taking positive action to ensure we deliver on our net zero commitments in ways that benefit our communities.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 25 October 2022.

Wales is facing a new era of damaging austerity cuts because of the UK Government’s mismanagement of the economy, Finance Minister Rebecca Evans will warn today.

The combination of soaring inflation which is eroding the Welsh Government’s budget, and spending cuts threatened by the latest Chancellor of the Exchequer, could starve public services of funding, stifle economic growth and lead to job losses.

Inflation and the UK Government’s mishandling of the economy, means Welsh Government’s budget is now worth up to £4bn less in real terms than it was when the three-year funding settlement was set last year.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has said all UK Government departments must redouble efforts to find savings and warned some areas of spending will be cut to fill the hole created in UK public finances by the fallout from the mini-budget a month ago.

This could mean more cuts in funding for the Welsh Government, as it prepares its draft Budget, which is set to be published on 13 December. The Chancellor is due to produce his medium-term fiscal plan on 31 October.

Speaking at a Welsh Government press conference later today, the Finance Minister will warn against another round of destructive austerity and outline alternative options the Chancellor could take to boost growth and support public services.

Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Local Government, said:

By announcing reckless uncosted tax cuts for the rich, the UK Government lost control of the economy. Now the new Chancellor wants us all to pay for its failures with deep spending cuts.

We are facing a new damaging era of austerity, which would threaten jobs, businesses and public services.

The Chancellor could protect public services by using his tax levers more fairly and increase investment to get the economy moving in the right direction. He could help people pay their bills by increasing benefits in line with inflation.

As we look ahead to our Budget, we need the UK Government to take action to avoid the type of destructive austerity that will further damage our economy and the public services so many of us rely on.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 25 October 2022.

A new initiative designed to help businesses lower their carbon impact and save on energy bills will be accelerated and launched in the new year, Economy Minister Vaughan Gething has announced.

The Minister has asked the Development Bank of Wales to fast track its plans for an invest to save decarbonisation offer with more favourable terms for businesses looking at investing in renewables and energy efficiency measures.

Accelerating the introduction of the offer will allow businesses across Wales to take earlier action to invest in projects designed to reduce their energy consumption and better manage energy bills.  This will provide much needed respite amid the spiralling cost of business and help deliver on the Welsh Government’s commitment to deliver a greener economy.

Speaking on the fifth anniversary of the Development Bank of Wales’ launch – the UK’s first regional development bank – Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said:

The Development Bank of Wales has become a national asset supporting businesses across Wales, improving their resilience and helping them grow and prosper.

Over its first five years the bank has exceeded investment targets, delivering an economic impact of £1.2 billion.

It is clear from my discussions with businesses that we must prioritise the job of reducing energy consumption and lowering bills for the long term.  I have now asked the Development Bank to fast-track development of a new scheme supporting business transition to Net Zero on an ‘invest to save’ principle. This will allow businesses to take on borrowing to fund capital investment which delivers on decarbonisation through more flexible repayment terms, attractive interest rates and wider support such as help towards consultancy costs.

This is a win win scheme – making it cheaper and easier for eligible businesses to cut future energy costs and boost our shared ambition for a greener Wales.

The Minister is also tasking the Development Bank with pursuing an ambitious equity investment target of £100 million over the next five to seven years.

The Minister added:

This investment, alongside private sector co-investment, has the potential to deliver over £250 million of capital to innovative businesses – a much needed injection of capital that will help create new jobs, expand growth sectors and help position Wales for a more prosperous future.

In the face of enormous challenges, the Welsh Government is determined to use its levers to provide stability with practical help for businesses and workers in a long partnership for a stronger, fairer, greener Wales.

Giles Thorley, Chief Executive of the Development Bank of Wales, said:

As businesses find themselves faced with economic uncertainties – including greatly increased energy costs – it is more important than ever that we fulfil our role providing stability for the Welsh economy, and do all we can to support ambitious businesses looking to invest in their journey to Net Zero.

We firmly believe that investing in environmental sustainability is both the right thing to do and makes good business sense, helping companies become more resilient, competitive and attractive to customers and talent. Having already launched the Green Homes Incentive to support property developers, we are now accelerating our programme of decarbonisation support to meet these pressing needs, making sure that Wales remains a great place to do business.

This marks the fifth anniversary for the Development Bank of Wales. Whilst I’m very proud of our delivery and impact so far as well as the strong relationships we’ve built with Welsh businesses and stakeholders, I also look forward to continuing to drive growth in the Welsh economy. Our track record as one of the most active venture capital investors in the UK and our links to private sector co-investors makes us well placed to deliver the equity capital that Wales needs.

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

Every further education college in Wales now has a dedicated employment and enterprise bureau to help young people prepare for the world of work by supporting them to find a job or setting up their own business, Economy Minister Vaughan Gething has announced today.

The enhanced bureaus are an important part of the Welsh Government’s flagship Young Person’s Guarantee, which commits to providing everyone under the age of 25 living in Wales with support to gain a place in education or training and help to get into work or become self-employed.

The bureaus, which will be backed by £2.36 million in Welsh Government funding this financial year, will help young people prepare for the labour market through a package of opportunities which will be made available for both full and part-time learners.

This support will help build essential employability and enterprise skills, with advice and guidance on offer to support young people into employment or self-employment.

The Young Person’s Guarantee will help protect a generation from the impacts of lost learning and delayed labour market entry caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, and to help make Wales a place where more young people feel confident in planning their future.

The employment and enterprise bureaus will be delivered by the colleges and work with key partners, such as employers, regional skills partnerships, Careers Wales and Working Wales.

They will create opportunities for learners to engage with local, regional and national employers; present varied routes into employment via programmes such as Jobs Growth Wales+, apprenticeships and Big Ideas Wales; provide one-to-one advice and guidance; and encourage aspirations for entrepreneurship amongst learners through an entrepreneurship champion in each institution.

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said:

The enhanced employment and enterprise bureaus form a key element of our strategy to prevent youth unemployment and ensure young people are not held back nor left behind as a result of the pandemic.

They will provide a breadth of employment support and opportunities to streamline their transition from learners to workers.

This will include nurturing ambitions for enterprise and entrepreneurship and embedding pathways into the world of self-employment. Encouraging young adults to stay in Wales by building their careers and launching their own businesses here will be instrumental as we re-design our economy post-coronavirus.

The employment and enterprise bureaus have also been designed to create talent pipeline needed to deliver on our Net Zero target, nurturing skills suitable for the sectors we need to grow.

We want young people to get the best possible start in the world of work and I am determined we do all we can as a government to help deliver the long-term economic benefits our young people deserve.

ColegauCymru strategic work-based learning and employability adviser Jeff Protheroe said:

ColegauCymru welcomes the Welsh Government commitment to support further education learners as they take their first steps into the world of work.

The rollout of employment and enterprise bureaus will ensure that learners receive the guidance they need to achieve their full potential.

With employers continually adapting to meet the changing needs of a fast-moving economy, our Further Education colleges play a central role both in a local and regional context, and are ideally placed to be the interface between them and the future workforce, and to meet the needs of both.

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

Structural engineers have recommended that Menai Bridge should close to all traffic to allow essential maintenance work to take place. This will take effect from 14:00hrs on Friday 21 October.

The announcement was made following recent testing of the bridges existing hangers. As part of UK Highways A55 ongoing maintenance of the Menai Bridge, it was identified that further testing would need to be carried out on the Menai Bridge alongside the replacement of some of the hangers.

As a result of further investigation, serious risks have been identified and structural engineers have recommended to close Menai Bridge to all traffic. The findings that led to the recommendation to close the bridge are currently being reviewed which could take up to two weeks. Available options to reopen the bridge as soon as possible are being actively assessed.

Temporary hanger strengthening works may need to be installed to ensure the safety and integrity of the Menai Bridge. This programme could take between 14 to 16 weeks, with the bridge reopening in early 2023.

In the meantime, traffic will be diverted to the Britannia Bridge.

Following discussions with UK Highways and their structural experts, the footway across the bridge has been re-opened for pedestrians and dismounted cyclists.

People must remain on the pedestrian footways and numbers will be limited. Marshalls will be in place from Friday, 21 October to Monday, 24 October to manage pedestrian flows and monitoring will be put in place to ensure compliance moving forward.

Plans have been discussed with partners including Welsh Government, UK Highways A55, NMWTRA, Emergency Services and the local authorities.

The Welsh Government is developing further strategies to increase resilience on the Britannia Bridge to mitigate the risk of both bridges being closed in exceptional circumstances. In the last five years, the bridge has been closed to high-sided vehicles on average seven times a year.

A spokesperson for UK Highways A55 said

We have received a recommendation from structural engineers to close the bridge for safety reasons. We have passed on this recommendation to the Welsh Government and are working closely with them to ensure the safety and integrity of the Menai Bridge is maintained.

While this issue will cause disruption, we must act in the interest of public safety. We are currently peer reviewing the findings that led to the recommendation of closure and assessing all available options to reopen the bridge as soon as possible so people can get back to using the bridge regularly.”

Deputy Minister for Climate Change with responsibility for transport, Lee Waters said:

This urgent work is being carried out for public safety, unfortunately it is unavoidable, but we are fully aware of the implication this will have for people in the local area.

We are working closely with UK Highways to ensure this work is carried out safely and as quickly as possible with minimal disruption to the local community.

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

The First Minister has announced the appointment of Efa Gruffudd Jones as Welsh Language Commissioner.

She will take up the position in January 2023, taking over the role from the late Aled Roberts.

The Commissioner has an important role to play in increasing the provision of services in Welsh and the use of the language and upholding the rights of Welsh speakers.

Efa Gruffudd Jones is currently the chief executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh. The centre is responsible for all aspects of learning Welsh from the curriculum and course development to resources for tutors, research, marketing and digital learning.

An independent selection panel recommended that Efa has the skills, experiences, and credibility to be appointed Welsh Language Commissioner. This view was endorsed by the Senedd’s Culture, Communications, Welsh language, Sport and International Relations Committee.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said:

I congratulate Efa on her appointment as the Welsh Language Commissioner. The language has been central to Efa’s career – both as chief executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh and as chief executive of the Urdd.

She comes to the post with years of experience of working for the benefit of the Welsh language and of working with Welsh speakers and learners across Wales.

Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles said:

I am delighted to welcome Efa to her new role as Welsh Language Commissioner. We have ambitious aims to increase not only the number of Welsh speakers but also the everyday use of Welsh.

The Commissioner’s role in working to increase the use of Welsh and Welsh language services is an important part of us achieving this target, and I look forward to working closely with Efa on this.

Efa Gruffudd Jones said:

It will be a privilege to be the Welsh Language Commissioner, and an honour to follow in Aled Roberts’ footsteps. I want to see a Wales where people can enjoy using Welsh every day. I look forward to doing all I can to ensure that the Welsh language, our national treasure, belongs to all.

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

Wellness coaches, voucher schemes, group coaching and discounted gym memberships are just a few of the ways health boards are providing support.

The transformation across services aims to improve patient outcomes, better support those on waiting lists to manage their condition, and work toward equal access of care across Wales.

MSK conditions can cause severe long-term bone and joint pain and include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, back pain and osteoporosis. Currently 18% of people in Wales suffer from Osteoporosis and 974,000 people in Wales are suffering from an MSK condition.

The Welsh Government is working on a variety of initiatives, aligned to ‘A Healthier Wales’, including earlier access to services, prehabilitation, digital tools for patients and links with community leisure groups.

These initiatives will work with people to build MSK health and slow down the progression of existing conditions. In addition, people on waiting lists will be supported to wait well and be emotionally and physically ready for surgery.

The Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan will announce tomorrow [Thursday 20 October] the launch of a Fracture Liaison Service Development and Quality Assurance Group. This task force will focus on creating consistent access to services aimed at preventing secondary fractures across Wales and helping health boards to develop and deliver new ways of working to support people.

Every health board in Wales is transforming services and the Wellness Improvement Service (WISE), run by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board is one such example. Patients are offered wellness coaches to help support evidence-based lifestyle and behavioural changes to improve their physical and mental health, reduce symptoms and understand the root cause of their health challenge. This could include group coaching in community venues or virtually and social prescribing groups as well as vouchers to spend in local businesses via GetFitWales.

Cardiff & Vale University Health Board is working to deliver health care in local communities, by partnering with leisure centres to support people with arthritis to live well by offering discounted gym memberships.  The health board is also working with Swim Wales, to develop water-based activity programmes. The programmes will support people on orthopaedic waiting lists to escape pain and prepare them for surgery through self-guided exercises via an app.

Innovations like these are making a real difference to people living with MSK conditions. Results of the prehabilitation programme for people waiting for knee and hip replacement surgery at Betsi Cadwaladr and Swansea Bay University Health Boards have shown significant improvements in all outcome measures for participants with pain, with function and quality of life measures improving between 17%-69%.

Prevention and transformation are two key levers in the Welsh Government’s plan for planned care recovery to help reduce waiting times and deliver more sustainable services in the future.

Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan said:

It is fantastic to see the wide range of care available to those suffering with musculoskeletal conditions. We know the physical pain MSK conditions can have as well as a debilitating effect on mental health and wellbeing, these services will make a real difference for people living and managing these conditions and their families.

MSK health is influenceable and we can improve it by transforming services to focus on prevention and building sustainability in the system. Creating systemic change is never an easy task but by transforming the services we offer now whilst bringing down waiting lists is vital if we want to stop the waiting list growing in the future and help people to live healthier lives.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 17 October 2022.

• New consultation on school uniforms launched
• Cost for school items to be considered as cost-of-living crisis hits families

The consultation will seek opinions on a variety of proposals relating to school uniform to update the statutory guidance and to further support families through the cost-of-living crisis and make uniforms more affordable.

Options to be considered include the use of school branding and whether schools should have no logo at all, or use ‘iron on logos’ to be made available free of charge. This could give families the option to purchase uniform at cheaper costs from a retailer of their choice. It will also seek opinions on whether schools should enter into single supplier contracts.

Views on the role of schools in uniform recycling and exchange schemes are also sought.

Parents/carers, learners, governing bodies, headteachers, teachers and school staff, uniform suppliers and other key stakeholders are encouraged to share their views by responding to the consultation.

Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles said:

The Welsh Government is doing everything we can to support families through this cost of living crisis.

I know that a lot of schools work hard to keep the cost of their uniforms to a minimum.  However, there are still too many instances where families are being expected to spend eye-watering amounts just to send their children to school.

We are launching this consultation so that we can take further action in order to support families.

96,000 pupils are already eligible for our PDG Access Grant – the most generous support scheme in the UK – which helps with the cost of uniforms and school items. I urge families to check whether they are eligible so that they too can benefit from this vital support

The consultation will run until 28^th November 2022.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 17 October 2022.

Welsh food and drink continues to thrive as latest figures show the sector’s supply chain turnover increased to £23 billion in 2021, Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has said. This represents a growth of 2.9% from the £22.4bn in 2020.

The food and drink manufacturing sector in Wales, producing diverse products, experienced very strong growth in 2021 with turnover increasing by 10.2% from £4.9bn to £5.4bn.

Today’s announcement follows the news earlier this year that Welsh food and drink exports hit a record high in 2021 reaching £640m.

The Welsh Government continues to help businesses in the sector through multiple support schemes providing market insight and intelligence, investment, technical support, export support and strong emphasis on business networking.

Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths said:

These figures demonstrate the commitment and desire of Welsh food and drink businesses to succeed, despite the tough economic situation they face.

I am very proud of the resilience and enterprise shown by businesses emerging from the pandemic and overcoming multiple supply chain challenges.

Wales’ innovative spirit continues to shine brightly in the sector and the proof is in the pudding with Welsh businesses continuing to pick up awards.

Welsh Government support is also playing an important role and will continue to do so as we help companies reach their full potential.