Monthly Archive
Plaid welcome presumed consent announcement
Plaid AM Dr. Dai Lloyd has welcomed the One Wales Government’s announcement today (Friday, 18 December 2009) to apply for the powers to bring about a system of soft-presumed consent for organ donation in Wales.
The announcement is a result of years of campaigning by organisations and individuals throughout Wales.
Long-term presumed consent campaigner Dr. Dai Lloyd welcomed the bid for a Legislative Competence Order (LCO) which would give the Assembly the necessary power to implement the system. He stated:
“This statement of principle by the One Wales Government is a key milestone in our attempts to bring about a system of presumed consent in Wales. This means that if the LCO bid is successful, then we in Wales could take a lead and introduce a system whereby individuals would have to opt out of an organ donation system, as opposed to the current situation of having to opt-in.
“This statement follows an in-depth consultation process undertaken by the Assembly Government across Wales involving key organisations and individuals. Research suggests that 90 percent of the general population are in favour of organ donation, yet recent figures show that only 28 percent actually get round to doing anything about it by signing up as an organ donor.
“The number of people needing a transplant in Wales is at an all time high. In the last seven years for example, those listed as waiting for a new kidney has rocketed from 309 in December 2001 to around 500 today.
“Quite simply, people are dying on these waiting lists. We have the opportunity to change that by simply changing our approach. There is no doubt that a system of soft-presumed consent would produce a far higher potential donor rate than at present, which is far too low at 28%.
“In the 22 countries around the globe that currently operate a system of presumed consent the evidence shows that donor rates are around 25 to 35% higher than in Wales.
“Far too many families in Wales are watching a brother, sister, mother or father waiting for a life-saving transplant, when the answer is staring us in the face. We need more organ donors, and presumed consent is proven to work.”
Swansea receives £1.6m to help housing renewal areas
Swansea is set to receive a £1.6m funding boost to support activity in housing renewal areas. The funding has been announced by Plaid’s Deputy Minister for Housing Jocelyn Davies AM.
The money, worth £24m across Wales, will add to funding which the local authorities and partner organisations are already investing in housing renewal areas in Wales in 2010-2011.
Plaid AM Dr. Dai Lloyd stated:
“A number of areas, including the Hafod in Swansea, have already benefited from this funding in previous years and it has made a clear difference to those communities.
“Renewal areas are very successful in Wales in not only improving housing conditions and restoring confidence but also in tackling a wide-range of related social, economic and environmental issues.
“I welcome the fact that Plaid’s Deputy Housing Minister, as part of the One Wales Government, is committed to regenerating our communities. Government commitment and investment of this sort, particularly in these tough economic times are vital.
“In addition to improving housing, the ongoing programmes in renewal areas also help tackle anti-social behaviour, deprivation in the poorest communities and act as a catalyst for investment. They also help provide increased employment and training opportunities, particularly in the local building industry.”
Plaid warns against disreputable lenders
Plaid Cymru’s Social Justice Spokesperson, Dai Lloyd AM, has today warned people against getting into unmanageable debt over the Christmas period.
The Plaid AM for South Wales West warned that people should avoid accepting credit from loan sharks and said that anyone who has borrowed money from an illegal money lender or loan shark should seek help from the police or their local Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB).
Dai Lloyd AM said that he was particularly concerned by a recent increase in the number of his constituents contacting the Citizen’s Advice Bureau with debt related problems following the economic crisis.
Dai Lloyd AM welcomed the work that has been done by the Plaid driven Assembly government in supporting the development of Credit unions. He also criticized the London Labour government for not doing enough to tackle doorstep lenders and loan sharks.
Plaid’s Social Justice Spokesperson Dr Dai Lloyd AM commented:
“With Christmas upon us, people are under considerable pressure to spend more money than they can afford. I have been concerned by the number of my constituents who have recently contacted the Citizen’s Advice Bureau with debt related problems. I believe that the situation has worsened due to the current economic climate. I would urge people to think carefully about where they get credit from. I am concerned that in these difficult economic times, people may be tempted by disreputable lenders such as doorstep lenders and loan sharks who could lead people into uncontrollable levels of debt. I would advise anyone who is having trouble with disreputable lenders to seek help immediately from the police or the Citizen’s Advice Bureau as the lender may well have behaved illegally.
“Debt is a serious issue, and unmanageable debt can have far reaching consequences in terms of family life and mental health. It is something that can affect people across different communities both rural and urban. It is vital that people in serious debt do not feel isolated as this can make them vulnerable to the exploitation of loan sharks and other disreputable lenders.
“The Plaid driven Welsh government is committed to the establishment and development of credit unions, as a form of social enterprise, in all parts of Wales. So far the One Wales government has achieved all-Wales coverage of Credit Unions, has established access for secondary pupils and helping credit unions to offer more Child Trust Fund accounts. Credit Unions have a hugely important role to play, offering, not just affordable credit but also valuable advice on budgeting.
“Politicians must look at other ways of protecting vulnerable people in debt. Plaid Cymru has campaigned in Westminster for a cap on interest charged by lenders. This would be an invaluable tool in tackling problems with doorstep lenders and loan sharks. Plaid will continue to campaign for this and any other means of tackling the problem of disreputable lenders.”
How are we going to pay for social care? Debate needed say Plaid
Plaid’s Social Justice Spokesperson Dr. Dai Lloyd AM is urging residents in Swansea to come forward with their views on how we pay for social care in the future.
The Welsh Assembly Government has launched a Green Paper consultation process ‘Paying for Care in Wales: creating a fair and sustainable system’ which runs until February 28th 2010, and are asking for views from the Welsh public.
Welsh Assembly Ministers will discuss the outcome of the consultation with Ministerial counterparts at the UK Government as part of a UK-wide review of care funding.
The Green Paper outlines 5 options on how we pay for future social care including;
Paying for yourself - with no Government support,
Taxation - with people paying tax throughout their lives,
Partnership – with responsibility shared between the Government and the person who has care needs
Insurance – either with private insurers or state-backed insurance
Comprehensive – where everyone over retirement age who had the resources to do so would be required to pay around £20,000 into a state insurance scheme
Dr. Dai Lloyd said:
“The issue of how we pay for care in the future is one of the major issues that face us as a society. It is clear that the Welsh age profile is changing. Scientific and technological advances mean that more of us are living longer. Over the next ten years for example, the number of people between 65 and 84 is projected to increase by 24%, and those over 85 by 29%.
“By comparison, the number of working age people compared with the number over 65’s has already fallen from 5.1 to 1 in 1951 to 3.3 to 1 in 2009, and is forecast to drop even further.
“The result is pretty obvious. As a society, we are likely to face an ever increasing bill for social care in future and we must decide now how we are going to pay for it.
“I very much welcome the Assembly Government’s attempts to consult with the people of Wales over this issue, and would urge people to take up that opportunity and have their say.”
Dr. Lloyd added:
“There are no simple answers here, but there is a clear requirement to balance the needs of those who simply cannot afford to provide care for themselves, while also protecting those who have worked hard and saved over their lifetimes.
“I would argue that a fund paid for through general taxation throughout our working lives, based on people’s ability to pay, is one that meets those two requirements. ”
Diwedd/ ends
Notes:
Information on the Green Paper and the consultation process can be found at www.payingforcareinwales.net
Views can be submitted by e-mail payingforcare@wales.gsi.gov.uk, or by post at:
Paying for Care Team
Older People and Long-term Care Policy Division
Welsh Assembly Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
AM shows support to autism charity Campaign
Plaid Assembly Member Dr. Dai Lloyd is supporting National Autistic Society Cymru’s Don’t write me off campaign, and has called on the Welsh Assembly Government to work to improve employment opportunities for adults with the condition.
Don’t write me off addresses the difficulties faced by adults with autism in trying to access the appropriate benefits to support their needs, as well as support to get a job.
Dr. Lloyd said:
“People with autism have a great deal to offer and we know that many want to work but are unable to get the help and support they need to fulfil their potential. It is crucial that people with serious, lifelong and disabling conditions such as autism get the help they need when seeking employment and are supported financially when they cannot work.”
The Don’t write me off report reveals that the majority of the over 300,000 working age adults with autism in the UK (approximately 18,000 in Wales) want to work but are being held back by a woeful lack of understanding of autism amongst employment and benefits advisors at Jobcentre Plus and a dearth of specialist employment services. Only 15% are in fulltime paid employment, which could mean as little as 2,700 in Wales.
The charity is also campaigning for a number of measures to make the employment and benefits system fair for people with autism including scrapping the need for a sick note and a better understanding of autism across all Jobcentre Plus staff, who determine eligibility for benefits or provide employment support. This should include the introduction of Autism Co-ordinators to work with frontline staff, local employers and employment support services.
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Notes to Editors
Research for the Don’t write me off report found:
·Almost 80% of people with autism on Incapacity Benefit want to work.
·Over a third said their Disability Employment Advisor’s knowledge of autism was “very bad” or “bad”.
·Half of people with autism have spent time with neither a job nor benefits with over three quarters of those forced to rely on family and friends as a result.
·Over 82% needed some kind of help to apply for benefits, but few were made aware of their right to an advocate. In the worst cases parents were actively blocked from helping.
Plaid AM speaks out over violence against women
Plaid AM Dr. Dai Lloyd has spoken out against violence against women as new figures revealed the extent of domestic assaults in Wales.
Responses received from Welsh police forces under the Freedom of Information Act detailed the number of complaints they received about domestic violence.
In the last four years South Wales Police received almost 64,000 complaints with 2,862 prosecutions during 2008-09. Two people died in the force area in 2008-09 and around three-quarters of the 12,322 domestic violence victims in the last year were women.
North Wales Police reported 11 “domestic homicides” over four years with four in 2008-09 alone. It received 10,220 complaints from women out of a total of 13,174 complaints about domestic violence.
Gwent Police reported four deaths – two each in 2007-08 and 2008-09. It also received more than 26,000 complaints over four years. In Dyfed Powys there were nearly 9,000 complaints over the last three years.
Dai Lloyd, who represents South Wales West, said: “These figures, along with the campaign by Welsh Women’s Aid to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, highlight what a serious problem domestic violence is. It ruins the lives of thousands of women and children in Wales every year.
“It has been estimated that two women die every day in the UK and within North and South Wales and Gwent force areas there were eight deaths last year as a result of domestic violence. That is truly appalling.
“I would like to highlight the work of Women’s Aid in helping women that have been abused. They do a fantastic job, and I will be raising the issue with the Minister for Social Justice, Brian Gibbons, to ensure that the Assembly continues to support the good work of Women’s Aid through these diffcult financial times.” added Dai Lloyd.
Plaid warns against Tory scaremongering
Plaid Cymru AM Dai Lloyd has warned that the Tories are threatening to undermine the economic recovery in Wales by scaremongering about business rate increases.
Dr Lloyd said that Tories have been attempting to generate alarmist headlines and deep concern among small businesses that their rates will increase, while in fact the Plaid driven Welsh government has acted to reduce business rates.
The Plaid AM for South Wales West expressed concern that the false Tory claims could discourage people from setting up a small business.
Many Welsh businesses faced soaring increases on their rates bills when a new revaluation exercise carried out by the UK Government comes into effect next April (2010), a date that cannot be postponed by the Welsh government. However, as a result of action taken by the Welsh Government announced back in October the FSB estimates that 64,000 businesses will now actually pay less.
The Plaid spokesperson on Local Government Dai Lloyd AM said:
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the Welsh economy and it is frankly irresponsible for the Tories to scaremonger in this way. I am concerned that people who are looking at starting a business may be put off by these false claims. In their attempts to grab headlines the Tories threaten to undermine the nation’s economic recovery.
“The Plaid driven Welsh government is committed to helping the communities of Wales to weather the current economic storm and the work it has done so far has been welcomed by the business community. The figures from the FSB, showing that 64,000 businesses will now pay less in rates, demonstrate the hugely positive impact of the Welsh government’s action on this issue.”
During a Senedd debate on business rates, the Conservatives refused to commit to providing a fair funding formula for Wales if they win the next general election.
Dai Lloyd AM added:
“The Conservatives have made it clear that should they win the General election, they plan to introduce huge spending cuts. And they have again refused to commit to introducing a fair funding formula for Wales, and to stopping their cuts plans until that is in place. That is what has been recommended by independent experts - yet the Tory silence on this huge issue is deafening.
“Conservative plans can only result in cuts to public services and higher council tax. The Tories here in Wales are constantly calling on the Welsh government to spend money it doesn’t have, and all the while they are planning to slash Wales’ budget significantly. They should be honest with the people of Wales about their spending plans.”
Deliberate outdoor fires costing over £9m every year
Deliberately-set outdoor fires are costing taxpayers in South and West Wales over £9m a year.
The figures have been released by Plaid’s Social Justice Spokesperson Dr. Dai Lloyd AM, who is investigating the issue.
Forestry Commission Wales state that the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) spent £2.3m in 2007/08, while the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service spend over £7m annually on tackling deliberately set outdoor fires.
Forestry Commission Wales states that MAWWFRS data since 2000 shows that 8.6% of ‘gorse fires’ were accidental (1345 out of 15637) with 91.4% being recorded as ‘non-accidental’.
Dr. Lloyd stated:
“The fact that taxpayers in South and Mid Wales are spending over £9m every year to put out deliberate fires is nothing short of scandalous.
“During these tough financial times, we should be investing every penny that we can to try and help the most vulnerable in our society rather than having to clear up devastation created by individuals who care nothing for our natural lands and forests.
“It is clear that we need to get a grip on this issue. Not only is there a financial cost to society, along with the clear health and safety risks posed to nearby communities, but there is also a cost to our landscape, which is one of our greatest assets in terms of attracting visitors.
“I have now written to the Assembly’s Social Justice Minister, Dr. Brian Gibbons on the issue. It is clear that we need to develop a clearer strategy to try and tackle this problem.”
Diwedd/ Ends
Notes to editors:
Coed y Cymoedd, the Forestry Commission Wales district that covers South Wales suffers from (on average) over 6000 outdoor grassfires a year.
There are additional fires that are ranked as being ‘FDR1’, meaning that there are more than three pumps in attendance to the outdoor fire. These are largely either large grass/scrub fires or forestry fires. Between 2000 and 2008 there were over 300 such fires recorded.
