Tag: Welsh Government

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

The Welsh Government has this evening announced that £180,000 will be made available to support the development of Welsh Language film and provide financial support to develop talent and ideas.

Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden and Plaid Cymru Designated Member Cefin Campbell have revealed the funding will be delivered through Ffilm Cymru and further details which will be announced shortly.

The commitment is part of the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.

The Deputy Minister, said:

I’m delighted to make this announcement ahead of the 40^th anniversary celebration this evening at the Senedd.  One of our biggest assets in sharing all that is amazing and unique about Wales – is our wonderful, home-grown, institution S4C.

Just eleven months ago, we announced our Memorandum of Understanding between Welsh Government’s Creative Wales and S4C.

It is a fantastic example of our increased partnership working in Wales, to deliver our ambitions to grow the creative sector, and to support the creative industries in Wales. This funding is further contribution towards those ambitions.

Broadcasters are vital contributors to the growth of our creative industries and the Welsh economy, sustaining the development of content in Wales by our independent production companies is a key priority for us as a Government.

In working with S4C and Ffilm Cymru, we are striving for economic growth, diverse talent development, growing the profile and portrayal of Wales and, of course, promotion of the Welsh language.

Designated Member, Cefin Campbell said:

S4C is integral to Wales and our language. The wealth of content produced by S4C is a crucial part of the media in Wales, ensuring that quality, world-class content encompassing drama, sport, films and children’s content is provided to people of all ages, across Wales and beyond.

Through the Co-operation Agreement between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government we are committed to work together to strengthen our language, ensuring that it is an everyday reality for us all, in our homes, on television and online. The new fund we are announcing today will play an important part in achieving this ambition, offering support to Welsh language film and provide financial support to the industry to develop talent and ideas.

Siân Doyle, S4C’s Chief Executive said:

We’ve a strong storytelling tradition in Wales. The recent success of S4C commissioned drama such as Yr Amgueddfa, Dal y Mellt and Y Golau in Wales and internationally, has shown there is a real appetite for original Welsh content and entertainment.

S4C’s aim is to build on this and bring home-grown Welsh stories, that resonate with our audiences in Wales, and beyond, to the big screen. I’m delighted this partnership with Creative Wales and the support of the Co-operation Agreement with Ffilm Cymru and the National Film and Television School coupled with S4C’s investment will enable the development of new ideas and nurture a new generation of storytellers. This will ensure that S4C’s stated ambition of one Welsh language feature film a year can be realised.

As we mark S4C’s 40th birthday, we are not only giving the Welsh language a new platform but enabling the next generation of content creators to work in Welsh. I’m looking forward to announcing further details of the project very soon.

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

Climate Change Minister Julie James has today (Wednesday, November 16) confirmed the cap for social rents for the next financial year along with a package of support for tenants.

The Minister outlined a series of commitments she had secured with social landlords including that there will be ‘no evictions due to financial hardship for the term of the rent settlement in 2023-24’ where tenants engage with their landlords.

The Minister also explained the decision making behind setting the social rent cap at 6.5%.

I have been clear that no social tenant will experience any change in their rent until April 2023 but I do need to set rents for the next financial year now to give the sector time to plan.

From April 2023, the maximum limit which social rents can charge will be 6.5% – an increase well below the rate of inflation. This is the maximum any landlord can charge across all of their properties.

No landlord is required to charge the maximum and I know all landlords will carefully consider affordability and set rents as appropriate across their housing stock.

Within the overall settlement landlords may freeze, lower or raise individual rents based on a number of local factors of which affordability is a key consideration. The rate is a maximum not a requirement or a target.

We know that any increase in social rent may impact those social tenants who pay all or part of their own rent. These tenants, in particular, need to be protected from being placed into financial hardship through trying to cover the costs of keeping a roof over their heads.

Our agreement with our social landlords will help do that – protecting and enhancing the provision of good quality housing and vital tenant support services.

Finally, our agreement with social landlords builds on existing engagement with tenants in rent-setting decisions, including explaining how income from rent is invested and spent.

Working in partnership with tenants, Welsh Government, funders and other partners will develop a consistent approach to assessing affordability across the social housing sector in Wales.

I would like to thank all the organisations which provided evidence to my officials, to help us reach this agreement.

In Wales, approximately three-quarters of social tenants have all or part of their rents covered by benefits. Therefore, for many tenants any increase in rent will be covered by benefits paid by the UK Government.

A joint campaign, encouraging tenants to talk to their landlord if they are experiencing financial difficulties and access support available, will be launched across Wales next year.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 15 November 2022.

A new national digital service which will streamline the Childcare Offer for parents and childcare providers has launched.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 14 November 2022.

Welsh Government plans to promote a progressive, modern Wales on the global platform provided by the FIFA World Cup in Qatar have been unveiled by Economy Minister Vaughan Gething today.

• ‘Lleisiau’ announced to be ambassadors for Wales in Qatar
• New global marketing campaign launched

The campaign will project Wales’ values and secure a positive legacy from the country’s first World Cup campaign in 64 years.

With less than a week to go until Wales plays the first group match against the USA, the Welsh Government’s programme of activities is well underway in a bid to showcase the best of Wales on a global stage and introduce the nation to new audiences.

Today, the Minister will announce former Welsh footballer Prof. Laura McAllister, Olympic silver medallist and World Champion Colin Jackson CBE, London-based DJ and presenter, Katie Owen and renowned Chef, Bryn Williams, as ‘Lleisiau Cymru’.

The ‘Lleisiau Cymru’ team of ambassadors will act as influential voices for Wales in Qatar, joining Ian Rush and Jess Fishlock who are both the FAW ambassadors for the 2022 World Cup.

Lleisiau Cymru’s Laura McAllister, said:

The World Cup offers an unprecedented opportunity for us to raise the profile of Cymru whilst also staying firm to and promoting our values of diversity, inclusivity and respect for human rights. As ‘Lleisiau Cymru’ we will ensure we maximise this unique opportunity for Wales, for football and beyond.

An enhanced global marketing campaign is live, focusing on core target international markets including the USA and key European markets. The marketing campaign will promote Wales as an open, progressive nation, as a great place to do business and visit.

The campaign is focused on the people of Wales, it’s an invitation from a warm, welcoming country. The campaign has a real, natural, colloquial feel conveying that everyone’s welcome – wherever you’re from there’s a place for you here. A series of films have been released which shows the people of Wales inviting the world to Wales, showing the people, culture, community and landscape – a portrait of a modern, progressive and diverse country that’s welcoming the world in.

Announcing the Welsh Government’s plans on the day the Wales squad fly to Qatar, Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, said:

I’m delighted to announce our comprehensive plans to promote an open, progressive Wales to the world during the FIFA World Cup.  When people see Wales, they will see our values.

A global Audience of 5 billion people gives us a unique opportunity to showcase our nation and create a lasting legacy.

We are introducing Wales to the world, inviting them to learn more about us, our culture, our people, and welcoming them into Tîm Cymru.  The campaign features stories from Wales, featuring authentic voices from across our communities. They are stories that’ll make people feel something about us, and make people want to be part of what we’ve got going on in Wales.

As a government, we have been clear we will proactively use Wales’ place in the World Cup in Qatar to promote our strong Welsh values. In Wales, we are passionate about human rights and workers’ rights and believe that people should be free to live as their true authentic selves. We will continue to proudly advocate Wales’ approach to human rights, LGBTQ+ rights, political and religious freedom, inclusive education and fair work.

This is an opportunity to promote Wales, but we also have an obligation to explain why we believe these values should be recognised. The management team, players and the FAW have all spoken out on these issues and they have the full support of the Welsh Government in promoting our values as a nation.

A distinctive Welsh presence will also feature in the exhibitions produced by participating nations.  As the tournament will feature a strong UK Government presence, the Welsh Government is committed to ensuring that Wales is recognised as a nation and as a society with progressive values.

Following the announcement of Wales’ World Cup squad last week, a diverse representation of artists and cultural organisations will take to the stage to share Wales’ unique culture globally.

The artists include rapper Mace the Great; Yr Urdd, with Côr Dyffryn Clwyd; The Barry Horns – a brass band made up of Welsh football fans; Welsh rap artist Sage Todz; and multi-instrumentalist Kizzy Crawford, and many others.

They will perform in Qatar, the USA and Canada, as well as performing at international events as part of Gŵyl Cymru a national celebration taking place throughout Wales and the world.

Rapper, Mace the Great said:

I’m looking forward to returning to the US after my debut at SXSW earlier this year. This is a huge opportunity for me to develop as an artist, as well as representing Wales at such an important moment for Welsh football and culture. I’m very excited to be showcasing in New York, working on a new video, and continuing my collaboration with Show Racism the Red Card and FAW.

Representing the young people of Wales in Qatar will be Côr Dyffryn Clwyd on behalf of Urdd Gobaith Cymru, who are also a part of the Culture Squad.

Sian Lewis, Chief Executive of Urdd Gobaith Cymru, said:

Urdd members are great ambassadors for Wales, our language, culture and country.  We’re proud that Côr Dyffryn Clwyd will have this amazing opportunity to support the team but to also take Wales to the world and the global audience of the world cup on behalf of the young people of Wales. As an organisation we aim to inspire the next generation by offering unique experiences to extend their horizons and build self-confidence and we can’t wait to be part of the Wales Cultural Squad.

To support Welsh Government objectives of promoting Wales, engage in diplomacy, and, importantly, communicate Wales’ values as a nation, the First Minister will attend Wales’ opening group game against the USA, while the Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething will attend the final group match against England game. These represent the most significant opportunities to raise the profile of Wales and make connections where we can share Wales’ interests and values.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 14 November 2022.

A consultation begins today [Monday, 14 November] on proposals to require CCTV in all slaughterhouses in Wales.

This is a Programme for Government commitment and is included in the Animal Welfare Plan for Wales, which seeks to maintain and improve standards of welfare for all kept animals.

Most slaughterhouses in Wales already have CCTV.  This requirement would ensure all are covered, supporting consumer confidence welfare standards are being delivered.

Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said:

Animal welfare is a priority for the Welsh Government, and our ambition is for all farmed animals to have a good quality of life and to be free of suffering.

We have committed to ensuring all slaughterhouses in Wales have CCTV, and I’m pleased to announce the consultation today.

While the vast majority of slaughterhouses have CCTV in Wales, I want to ensure all animals have the same level of protection.

The consultation will run for 12 weeks and is available on the Welsh Government website.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 14 November 2022.

More than 1,100 unemployed people facing hidden barriers to entering the labour market have been helped to start their own business thanks to a Welsh Government grant scheme, Economy Minister Vaughan Gething has announced.

They include unemployed single mum Sami Gibson, who was determined to build a better life for herself and her child.

Sami had dreams of setting up her own business but faced several barriers – she had no laptop or internet connectivity and was living in a remote rural location.

Thanks to support from the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service, Sami has set up a new business called Roots, which grows and sells herbs and other plants sustainably. Roots also creates blends such as stuffing herb mix with wild bilberries, a nasturtium salt, and pizza sauce herbs.

Sami was awarded a Barriers to Start Up Grant worth £2,000, which she used to purchase equipment and marketing materials for her start-up.

Sami said:

“Thanks to invaluable support from Business Wales, I now trade regularly at markets and I have a thriving website for sales.”

The Barriers to Start-up Grant for over 25-year-olds is a revenue grant to help economically inactive and unemployed individuals over the age of 25 to start up a business in Wales.

It particularly targets individuals facing barriers to starting their own business or to enter the employment market. It is part of a package of support that includes one-to-one advice and webinars to build confidence in business practices and develop plans for starting a business.

Of the successful applicants in the latest phase of the grant scheme 57% were female, 26% were disabled, and 13% identified themselves as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic.

The fund supports the Welsh Government’s aim of eradicating the gap between the employment rate in Wales and the UK by 2050, with a focus on fair work and raising labour market participation of under-represented groups.

Speaking at the start of Global Entrepreneurship Week, Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said:

The Welsh Government is determined to create a fairer and more prosperous Wales, where people are supported to fulfil their true potential.

We are working hard to create good-quality jobs in communities across Wales. That includes supporting people into work, regardless of their individual circumstances or the barriers they face to employment.

We are also focused on supporting more people to start their own business, fostering an even more vibrant SME sector, and prioritising enterprises built on sustainability and the industries and services of tomorrow.

I am delighted this grant initiative has already helped so many people, including those from groups under-represented in the labour market, and those in and out of work with long term health conditions.

As well as assisting individuals aged over 25 to start up a business, the Economy Minister approved £5m over three years to support young people into self-employment with advice and financial support to deliver on the Young Person’s Guarantee. The Young Person’s Start-up Grant for those aged under 25 went live in July 2022 and is administered by Big Ideas Wales. This grant will run until 2025.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 13 November 2022.

The UK government has been urged to increase the amount of funding available for NHS pay.

Ahead of the Autumn statement, Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and Welsh Health Minister Eluned Morgan have written to UK Health Secretary Steve Barclay to ask for additional funding to help avert strike action this winter in the NHS.

The letter reads:

We wanted to write to you in advance of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement on 17th November to once again make the case for additional funding for our hardworking NHS staff.

In recent weeks the Deputy First Minister of Scotland and the Welsh Government Minister for Finance and Local Government have written to His Majesty’s Treasury to make clear the need for additional funding for public services.

The Royal College of Nursing have announced a sweeping legal mandate for industrial action across the UK. In Scotland, they have joined several other unions representing NHS staff in gaining a legal mandate for industrial action with ballots expected to confirm a mandate in the rest of the UK.

The risk to the NHS of industrial action this winter is profound, and we all need to do all we can to avert industrial action in any form. The NHS across the UK continues to feel the effects of the pandemic as it recovers and remobilises, and any action is likely to have catastrophic effects in all parts of the UK.

We are experiencing a cost of living crisis and the anger of NHS staff is entirely understandable. Sky rocketing inflation combined with high interest rates, a direct result of the havoc caused by the UK government’s mini-budget, means that we are simply unable to come close to matching the expectations of NHS staff across the country. While the support provided by the UK government on areas such as support for energy bills is welcome, it has not gone nearly far enough.

Media reports suggest that the Chancellor is considering reimposing austerity on the people of the UK again, for which there is no mandate, through extensive spending cuts. That would be a disaster for our public services, including the NHS, at a time when they need more investment, not less.

We would therefore implore you to work with us to make the case to the Chancellor in advance of his Autumn Statement for increased funding for the NHS and the devolved governments as a whole, primarily to pay our hard working NHS staff a fair pay rise in the face of the cost of living crisis this winter, and avoid what could be catastrophic industrial action in the NHS.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 11 November 2022.

The Welsh Government has proposed that more categories of properties will be excepted from paying the council tax premium on second homes, managing the impact of new local tax rules to distinguish between second homes and self-catering accommodation.

There will also be additional guidance on the discretion local authorities will have in the application of the premiums.

It follows ongoing discussion and engagement with councils, communities and the tourism industry.

The tax changes, which will be in place from 1 April 2023, are intended to develop a fairer housing market and ensure owners make a fair contribution to the communities in which they own homes or run businesses. The changes provide a clearer demonstration that the properties concerned are being let regularly as part of genuine holiday accommodation businesses.

The criteria for self-catering accommodation being liable for non-domestic rates instead of council tax is increasing from being let for at least 70 days in any 12‑month period to being let for at least 182 days.

The change announced today will mean two further categories of property will be exempt from council tax premiums if they no longer meet the letting criteria. It will apply to all properties that are restricted by planning conditions which mean that they can only be used as short-term holiday lets or which prevent them from being used as someone’s main residence.

Updated guidance being issued to local authorities for consultation also confirms the discretion available in the event that holiday lets fail to meet the new letting criteria.

The move is intended to ensure the changes being taken forward are made as fairly as possible and strike the balance between the needs of communities with large numbers of second homes and holiday lets as part of a sustainable tourism sector.

As part of the Cooperation Agreement with Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Government is committed to taking immediate action to address the impact of second homes and unaffordable housing in communities across Wales, using the planning, property and taxation systems.

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

I recognise the strength of feeling among self-catering operators in response to the changes to the letting criteria, and I have listened to the representations from individual businesses and industry representative bodies. These changes will give more flexibility to local authorities and will ensure that the contribution property owners make to the communities where they have homes or run businesses is fair.

Designated Member Sian Gwenllian MS said:

By working together on a cross-party basis in in the Senedd, we have been able to act quickly to begin to address longstanding injustices and market failures in the housing system that have an impact on communities across Wales. Our aim is to increase the availability and affordability of housing for local people to rent and to buy. Today’s announcement is a sensible step to take to ensure that the package of measures we are taking forward can be implemented as effectively as possible – to make the biggest difference to people and communities whilst mitigating any unintended consequences.

There are a number of existing exceptions from the council tax premiums. For example, properties which are subject to a planning condition preventing occupation for a continuous period of at least 28 days in any one-year period cannot be charged a premium.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 11 November 2022.

Construction work is underway on new £12 million sustainable employment premises at the Cross Hands East Strategic Employment Site in Carmarthenshire, which will provide innovative and modern commercial space for businesses to grow in the local area, Economy Minister Vaughan Gething has announced.

The Welsh Government, in partnership with Carmarthenshire County Council, is building 32,500 square feet of low carbon offices, light industrial units and hybrid spaces for letting across three buildings.

With support from the Active Building Centre, the project will help transform the way commercial buildings are powered and heated.

Using innovative technology and active building design principles, the new buildings will generate electricity using on-site renewables and incorporate high levels of insulation to deliver a low carbon development with reduced running costs.

The aim is to achieve ‘net zero carbon in-use standard’, which would see the development produce enough renewable energy to meet the lighting and heating needs of the buildings.

The Welsh Government is investing £5.9 million in the project, with additional funding contributions being made by Carmarthenshire County Council and the Active Building Centre. In addition, £3.25 million funding has also been awarded to the project by the European Regional Development Fund, through the Welsh Government. The main contractor for the development is Andrew Scott Limited.

The Cross Hands East Strategic Employment Site has been delivered via a joint venture between the Welsh Government and Carmarthenshire County Council, comprising a large programme of infrastructure works delivered over two phases.

Speaking at the COP27 UN climate summit takes place in Egypt, Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said:

The Welsh Government is taking decisive action to tackle the climate change crisis, so that we build a better green future for our country.

We’re also working hard to deliver the supercharged green industries of the future that will help create high-quality jobs for people in their local communities.

Delivering first-class business spaces is central to that vision – and it’s vital we do this in a way which contributes to our decarbonisation aspirations. This new development does exactly that, by demonstrating superb low carbon credentials.

With the support of the Active Building Centre, I hope it can become a launchpad for further low carbon employment space, promote new technologies and provide essential data on the benefits low carbon buildings can deliver.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism, Cllr Gareth John said:

We are pleased to deliver these high-quality commercial premises, which will bring much needed employment space to the area.

This investment by Carmarthenshire County Council and Welsh Government demonstrates our desire to continue the development of Carmarthenshire’s Strategic Employment Site.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen said:

This development is a clear indicator of the action the Council is taking to meet its net zero carbon 2030 commitment.

We are pleased to be delivering such a significant demonstrator project, which has the potential to lead the way in terms of highly sustainable commercial buildings. The fabric first design approach and innovative technologies integrated into the buildings are methods which the construction sector must adopt to play their part in reversing the climate emergency.

The Active Building Centre’s Chief Operating Officer Andy Perry said:

As a company born in Wales, we are proud to have worked on this exciting project. We hope it can be used as a framework for other sites; especially as it showcases what can and should be done to help tackle the challenge of net zero.

Designing integrated structures and energy systems to be part of the solution around decarbonisation, with active technologies built in from the start, will mean that our buildings are not just users of energy but will play an integral part in meeting the challenges of climate change.

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 10 November 2022.

The Minister for Education and Welsh Language has announced over £7m will be invested in 11 Welsh medium education and childcare projects across Wales.

This funding will increase opportunities for Welsh medium education, which is key to the Welsh Government’s goal of reaching one million Welsh speakers by 2050.

The projects announced today will help bring opportunities to more pupils, from early years through to secondary schools to develop their Welsh language skills. Ysgol Llanfawr in Anglesey will receive funding for a new childcare unit, with 50 Welsh Medium childcare places to nurture a new generation of Welsh speakers.

Some projects can also support local communities to use more Welsh. Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw in Torfaen has secured funding for a floodlit 3G pitch suitable for sports and activities to take place within the school day, which would also bring initiatives to grow the use of the Welsh language to the local community in the evenings, weekends and during school holidays.

The Minister, Jeremy Miles, said:

I’m pleased to see the plans for new projects which will support children and young people of all ages right across Wales. If we’re going to achieve our ambitious goal of a million Welsh speakers by 2050, it is crucial we put the next generation at the heart of our plans.

My message is clear, I want Welsh-medium education to be an option for everyone and I want everyone to have the opportunity to be bilingual citizens of Wales.