Monthly Archive
Plaid AM urges use of mortgage rescue scheme
Plaid’s Social Justice Spokesperson Dr. Dai Lloyd AM has urged cash-strapped householders in Swansea to make use of the Assembly Government’s ‘Mortgage Protection Scheme’.
His call comes on the day that the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) announced that the number of homes in the UK repossessed by lenders last year rose by 54% to 40,000.
Dr. Lloyd stated:
“The difficult economic climate means that more and more households are finding it difficult in keeping up mortgage repayments, and as a result repossessions are soaring.
“Repossession is obviously a very stressful experience and the One Wales Government recognises this and I am very pleased that Plaid’s Housing Minister at the National Assembly, Jocelyn Davies, has announced £10m to support families in greatest need as part of the Mortgage Rescue Scheme.”
Dr. Lloyd added:
“If householders are eligible for assistance, a housing association can provide you with an equity loan so that your mortgage outgoings will be reduced or, if this is not suitable, the housing association can buy your home from you and you can continue to live there as a tenant.
“The housing association will be registered with the Welsh Assembly Government. The housing association will apply to the Welsh Assembly Government for a grant towards the cost of buying your home.
“I would urge anyone who is facing mortgage difficulties and in danger of having their home repossessed to contact their local council, Assembly, Shelter Cymru or the Citizens Advice, all of whom should be able to point you in the right direction.”
Diwedd/ Ends
Notes to editors:
To apply for the Mortgage Rescue scheme you must answer yes to all of the following:
- Your home is in danger of being repossessed. That is, your lender has started legal action to repossess your home;
- You will be homeless if the property is repossessed;
- The property is your only or main residence;
- The property is clear of any legal reasons that would prevent it being sold; and
- You are unable to sell and buy a cheaper home locally.
If you think that the Mortgage Rescue Scheme could help you, you should contact:
- Swansea Council on 01792 636000. Their homelessness team or housing strategy officers will be able to help you to get in touch with a housing association; or
- the Housing Directorate at the Welsh Assembly Government at:
Merthyr Tydfil Office
Rhyd Y Car
Merthyr Tydfil
CF48 1UZ
Telephone: 01685 729156 or 01685 729157
Plaid concern at possible hospital bed cuts
Plaid AM Dr. Dai Lloyd has written to Abertawe Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust Chief Executive Paul Williams concerning the proposed loss of beds at Hill House and Singleton Hospitals.
It is reported that Trust Managers are looking to close wards and reduce the number of beds in the two hospitals, with Hill House coming under the spotlight once again – only 2 years after the proposal was last mooted.
Dr. Lloyd stated:
“Only 2 years ago Ward 1 at Hill House, along with Fairwood hospital, was destined for closure by the Trust. However, due to strong opposition locally, we managed to keep them open, arguing that the support networks within community care were simply not in place.
“Unfortunately, it seems that the Trust management are keen to go down the same route again, and reduce the number of beds in the system. I fear that there has been little change in the community care provision and so I am surprised with regards to this latest proposal from the Trust.
“With an ageing population we are going to see an increase in the number of people who will need medical treatment, and while many can be accommodated by community care, there will always be a group of people who are well enough to leave an acute hospital bed, but not well enough to be at home. Units such as Hill House have a vital role to play in this regard.”
Dr. Lloyd added:
“I have written to the Trust’s Chief Executive in the hope of meeting to discuss the issues. I appreciate that there are budgetary pressures facing all public bodies, but the Health Service has received an increase of over 5% from the Assembly Government this year – more than other public sector bodies such as local Councils.
“We need to take heed of the current bed situation in Swansea. If wards at Hill House and Singleton Hospitals were closed, where would these patients go? I do not feel that the beds exist within the system, as borne out by continuing concerns with regards bed crisis in Morriston Hospital. This is an important issue which the Trust needs to take into consideration when making any strategic decisions on Swansea’s Health Service.”
Plaid welcome football tv review
Welsh Football fans may get to see the National team’s games on terrestrial television in future campaigns, following the confirmation that the UK Government is to review the list of sports guaranteed to be shown on free to view television.
Of Wales’ current World Cup 2010 Qualifying campaign, 8 of the 10 games are to be shown on non-terrestrial channels such as Setanta and Sky – a situation which Plaid’s Dr. Dai Lloyd AM feels is unfair.
Under Part 4 of the Broadcasting Act 1996, live free-to-air terrestrial coverage of Welsh participation in the finals in South Africa is protected by law. However, the law does not extend to protecting free coverage of the qualifying matches.
Dr. Lloyd wrote to the UK Government in September calling for an extension of the current Broadcasting Act, and the eventual devolution of broadcasting to the National Assembly.
Stephen Carter, UK Minister for Communications, Technology and Broadcasting, has now written to Dr. Lloyd confirming that a review is to be undertaken of those sports protected by law.
Dr. Lloyd stated:
“The Welsh public should have the right to see their national team play a 100% of the time not 20%. Gordon Brown’s push to create a 2012 GB Olympic Football Team will seriously endanger the existence of the Welsh football team, so it’s even more important than ever that the Welsh public have a chance to see their team in action.
“Sport has the magical ability to bind people together. It is a pillar of our national life.“I am glad that the UK Government has agreed to review the list of sports protected by law. It is imperative that the review, led by former Football Association Executive Director David Davies, takes in the views of the devolved nations before reaching any conclusions in the second half of 2009.
“I do hope that the ‘One Wales’ Government’s Sports Minister, Plaid’s Alun Ffred Jones will be asked for his views on this important matter.”
Plaid AM criticises ITV Wales for news signing decision
Plaid AM Dr. Dai Lloyd has today spoken out against the decision by ITV Wales to scrap its signed news from its flagship 6pm news programme, Wales Tonight.
The service, which has been in place since February 1986 will come to an end from this Friday onwards.
Dr. Lloyd today met with representatives from RNID at the National Assembly to discuss the issue, and has also written to ITV Wales’ Chief Executive Elis Owen to raise his concerns.
Dr. Dai Lloyd, Plaid AM For South Wales West commented:
“I had no idea that this was even being considered. This is very sad and will be a great loss to BSL users across Wales.
“I today met with representatives of the RNID who are very concerned with regards to the situation.
“This decision means that deaf BSL users in Wales will no longer have access to local news. Deaf people learnt of this decision at the end of last week. It is understood that ITV approached Ofcom for permission to go ahead and pull signed news from its local news bulletin. This was granted, with little or no consultation.
“I am also concerned about the very short notice given for implementation of this decision. I hope that this is not an attempt by ITV Wales to achieve a fait-a-complis.
“It is particularly sad because in 1986, when this service was inaugurated by the then HTV, it was a welcome step forward for rights for disabled people. Here we are 23 years later contemplating this retrograde action.”
