Monthly Archive
Electrifying victory for Wales
Plaid Cymru AMs across Wales’ southern regions have welcomed the announcement that the main train line from Swansea to London will be electrified. The news follows months of negotiations by Plaid Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones – putting pressure on the UK government and Network Rail to change their announced plans to electrify the track between London and Bristol only.
The South Wales West AM, Dai Lloyd, said that the news came as a great relief following recent indications that the electrification would not be rolled out into Wales, let alone as far as Swansea in his region.
He said that the announcement represents good news for passengers and industry and commended Plaid Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones for ensuring that the UK government changed its initial plans to stop electrification at Bristol.
Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales West, Dai Lloyd said:
“This is excellent news for Swansea and all regions of south Wales. Plaid has been campaigning for this for decades and it appears that it will now happen in the foreseeable future.
“It had appeared until very recently that the electrification work would stop at Bristol and Wales would be left out of this plan, but following an immense amount of work by Ieuan Wyn Jones as Transport minister and as Plaid’s leader, things have been turned around. This will truly be a lasting legacy of Plaid’s first term in government.”
Dr. Lloyd added:
“The benefits of electrification are now well known and have been proven in other countries. That’s why Plaid as a party has fought so hard for this over many years.
“Our attention now will turn to how this plan is taken forward. It is essential that the Welsh section of this work is carried out as soon as possible in order provide a timely boost to the economy in my region and others here in Wales. After all the work that has been put in by Ieuan Wyn Jones, I’m sure he can say that today is a very good day for the Welsh economy.”
Plaid call for Labour commitment on ‘People’s Bank’
Plaid’s Social Justice Spokesperson Dr. Dai Lloyd AM has called on the UK Government to look at setting up a ‘People’s Bank’ as part of the Post Office Network.
The ‘Post Bank Coalition’, made up of organisations such as The Communications Union, the Federation of Small Businesses, Federation of Sub-Postmasters, Consumer Focus and the National Association of Credit Unions are all supporting the creation of a Government owned ‘Post Bank’.
Dr. Lloyd has now written to UK Business Minister Pat Mc Fadden, urging him to set up a working group to look at the issue.
Dr. Lloyd today stated:
“The creation of a local, non-shareholder driven and trusted bank would be a significant step forward and one which I am calling on the Business Minister to commit to.
“Such a bank would not be purely motivated by profit, and as such would be able to offer fairer, more sustainable rates of interest to borrowers.
“I firmly believe that the creation of a new bank through the Post Office is a key route to tackling financial exclusion to individuals and it could also start to stimulate parts of local economies through new financial services to small businesses.
“The new People’s Bank should be given the ability to a full range of financial services, including current and business accounts, and the ability to offer affordable mortgages for those on low to medium incomes.”
Dr. Lloyd added:
“Private banks have failed to provide the lending that huge government backing was intended to kick start. The People’s Bank would have allowed the government to direct investment exactly where it was needed.
“The benefits of a Government-backed bank are clear. Deposits in the Post Office and National Savings and Investments are currently soaring as people urgently seek the security that only a wholly publicly owned and controlled financial institution can provide.
“The case for public ownership is a strong one and a bank should be brought into the Post Office to replace the previous Girobank.”
Swansea public sector employees going to pay for Labour’s economic failures
Swansea could lose up to 2,300 public sector jobs over the next 5 years, research by the ‘Centre for Cities’ has revealed.
The report finds that cities like Swansea, Newcastle and Ipswich are heavily dependent on the public sector for jobs - and cities must plan now for reduced public spending from 2011.
Dr. Lloyd has stated his dismay that key public service employees will pay the price for the economic failures of the Labour Westminster Government.
Plaid’s Social Justice Spokesperson Dr. Dai Lloyd today stated:
“This independent report by the ‘Centre for Cities’ is very worrying indeed. We know that Swansea has a high percentage of public sector jobs and that comes as no surprise particularly when you consider the major employers that we have in the area, including the DVLA, two large hospitals in Morriston and Singleton, the two Universities, Colleges and Local Authority to name a few.
“Swansea always has, and always will play a major role as the regional capital of South West Wales, and this in part explains the relatively high percentage of public sector jobs. This is not to be criticised. In one way it is a reflection of the city’s regional importance.
“However the projected 2,300 job losses in Swansea over the next 5 years are something that the UK Labour Government has to take responsibility for. In stark terms, the people of Swansea and similar cities deserve an apology from this UK Government.
“Its poor handling of the economy and financial sector over recent years, resulting in £200b of UK National Debt, means that public sector cuts are inevitable.
“This is in stark contrast to other countries around the globe where regulation of the financial sector has been much more stringent, and where they have not had to bail out the banks to the same extent.
“The stark reality is that employees in Swansea providing key public services pay the price for Labour’s mismanagement of the economy. This means that those losing their jobs will suffer direct pain, while the rest of us will suffer due to a reduction in the level and possible quality from a stretched public sector.”
Plaid AM hails boost to city education
Plaid AM Dr. Dai Lloyd has today welcomed the announcement of £8m of capital funding allocated by the One Wales Government for Cefn Hengoed Community School in Swansea.
The funding forms part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s £165m package for schools and colleges across Wales.
Dr. Lloyd stated:
“The One Wales Government has made a commitment to investing in our education by ensuring that schools are fit for purpose and properly funded.
“This £165m is in addition to the £170m announced by the Assembly Government over recent months, and over and above the money given to Councils as part of their annual budgets. This extra money that the Assembly Government is putting into the education system is needed and welcomed.
“This targeted money for Cefn Hengoed will mean an improvement for that particular school, but will also give the Council the flexibility to spend the rest of its Capital Budget on other schools throughout the City and County of Swansea. I am very pleased that the One Wales Government has recognised the need for extra investment in Swansea’s schools.”
Plaid welcome One Wales commitment on Neurosurgery
Plaid AMs Dr. Dai Lloyd and Bethan Jenkins have welcomed reassurances from First Minister Rhodri Morgan that the One Wales Government is committed to retaining Neurosurgery Services at Morriston Hospital.
Fears have this week surfaced over the possible threat to the Neurosurgery Unit, with ABM NHS Trust stating that they are facing an ‘acute’ problem in August in Neurosurgery, related to the inability to recruit middle-grade doctors in the highly specialised area.
Dr. Lloyd and Ms Jenkins both today asked for assurances from the First Minister on the floor of the Assembly that Neurosurgery services would continue to be provided in Swansea.
Dr. Lloyd stated:
“The First Minister once again re-affirmed the One Wales Government’s clear commitment to keep the Neurosurgery Unit at Swansea. This is a key pledge for us in South Wales West and even though previous Conservative and Liberal Democrat Health Spokespersons have voted against keeping the service at Swansea, we in Plaid are pleased that we have remained firm in our defence of the service.
“Clearly, the short-term issues in terms of recruitment of middle grade doctors is something that the Trust is going to have to address, and I am certain that the One Wales Government will do all that it can to help ensure that this is addressed successfully.”
Bethan Jenkins added:
“The fact that the ABM Trust is holding talks with colleagues in Cardiff is to be welcomed. The vision set out by the One Wales Government is of a single Neurosurgery service on two sites – Swansea and Cardiff, and this is a clear example of the kind of co-operation that will be necessary to deliver a safe and effective service to the people of South, Mid and West Wales.”
Plaid AM blasts Peter Hain as Swansea loses out on £660m
The City and County of Swansea could lose out on £660m of public sector funding over the next decade due to the unfairness of the Barnett Formula.
The Holtham Commission, which looked at the way the Assembly is funded, yesterday reported that Wales could lose out by up to £2,900 per person over the next decade due to the unfair nature of the Barnett Formula.
Swansea’s population of 228,000 would therefore miss out on up to £660m in terms of public sector expenditure.
Plaid’s South Wales West AM Dr. Dai Lloyd today stated:
“This is a huge amount of money for Swansea to be losing out on. The Barnett Formula is clearly unfair as it does not take into account the needs of the different devolved administrations, and this means that Wales unfairly loses out.
“Wales should get a higher percentage rise in funding than England because the needs are higher – often due to the impact of policies imposed on Wales by Westminster governments
“Only Plaid has been prepared to stand up and fight for fair funding for the communities of Wales. Despite the weight of evidence previous Labour governments in Wales have failed to undertake the task of reforming the unfair formula. It has taken Plaid, as part of the One Wales agreement, to commission a Government backed study looking into the way Wales is funded.”
The South Wales West AM criticised the Welsh Secretary Peter Hain who today warned the Welsh government against fighting for more money for Wales, saying that it could mean that other parts of the UK would lose out.
Dr. Lloyd added:
“What is particularly worrying is the attitude of Peter Hain. For the so called Welsh Secretary to be asking the Welsh government not to fight for more money for Wales is a farce. That just goes to show where London Labour’s priorities lie.
“What we in Wales need now is for both the Conservative and Labour parties in London to clearly spell out what they intend to do in relation to funding Wales, if they win the next election. And in the shorter term, the cuts that are now coming our way have to be halted or the effects of our under-funding will inevitably grow.”
Good day for communities and their playing fields - Plaid
A vote in favour of a Plaid AM’s measure to protect playing fields has made today a good day for communities across Wales. That was the message from Dr Dai Lloyd whose campaign over the past two years for a new law to protect playing fields has received overwhelming public support.
The Plaid AM today (Wednesday 1st July) won support for his proposal to go forward to the next stage in a debate in the Senedd). This means that his proposal is one step closer to becoming law.
Dr Dai Lloyd AM is seeking to introduce new legislation to the Assembly which would place a duty on local authorities to consult communities before selling any playing fields for development. The measure will now go on to the next stage which allows for it to be amended
Plaid’s Dai Lloyd AM said:
“Today’s vote has made it a great day for communities across Wales fighting to save their playing fields. The support that my measure has received from playing fields campaigners from all over the country has made a real difference – the strength of feeling of local people and communities has won the day. These playing fields are vital community assets. They provide a place where children and adults alike can take part in free and healthy activities. They also offer a place where residents can come together as a community.
“This measure is incredibly important to communities fighting to save their playing fields. All too often in the past they have felt let down by the current process because it doesn’t empower them to influence decision making at an early stage. If made law, my measure will enable true and meaningful consultation with the public, at a point in the process when the public can genuinely influence the decision.
“Local authorities tell us that they want to be more citizen focussed. This measure will set a precedent for true and meaningful engagement with citizens. This more open and upfront system will, in my mind, improve the standing of local authorities and their councillors with the residents they represent.”
