100% rates relief for childcare providers in Wales

100% rates relief for childcare providers in Wales

Local Assembly Member Mike Hedges AM has welcomed the Welsh Labour Government’s announcement that Children’s day nurseries in Wales will be exempt from paying non-domestic rates from April 2019.

The Welsh Government has announced they will provide all registered childcare properties with 100% rates relief.

The scheme will provide an estimated £7.5m of additional support to childcare providers over three years. Its impact will be reviewed.

Enhancing childcare provision across Wales is a major priority for the Welsh Government.

The announcement follows the news that thousands children including in Swansea Council area already benefiting from Welsh Government-funded childcare offer

Mike Hedges AM said: “I am delighted that so many children and their families have benefited from Welsh Labours transformative childcare offer.”

“It’s allowing parents to either take-up or return to work – which is not only good for our local economy in Swansea East economy, but it’s also reducing strain on family incomes.”

“It important that we support childcare providers to deliver.  When I have met with them rate relief has often been raised and I am glad the Welsh Government are listening”

“This announcement will help to create new childcare jobs and help to create new and maintain existing childcare places across Wales.”

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The Welsh Government’s programme for government, Taking Wales Forward, commits Ministers to providing 30 hours of government-funded early education and childcare for working parents of three and four year olds, 48 weeks of the year. The offer is currently available in half of local authorities and will be available across the whole of Wales by 2020.

The childcare sector generates an estimated £1.2bn for the Welsh economy. In recognition of the sector’s economic role and in supporting the delivery of the childcare offer, Welsh Government Ministers are prioritising investment to support growth across the sector. This investment is being developed as bespoke business and skills assistance.

Mike Hedges AM welcomes pay rise for doctors and dentists

Mike Hedges AM welcomes pay rise for doctors and dentists

Local AM Mike Hedges has welcomed a new pay deal for doctors and dentists in Wales, which includes a higher salary increase than the deal agreed in England.

The Welsh Government has agreed in full the recommendations of the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB): 

·         a 2% base increase for salaried doctors and dentists, salaried General Medical Practitioners (GMPs) and independent contractor GMPs and General Dental Practitioners (GDPs)

·         an additional 2% for independent contractor GMPs, salaried GMPs and to the GMP trainers’ grant and the GMP appraisers’ rate

·         an additional 1.5% for Specialty and Associate Specialist (SAS) doctors.

Mike Hedges AM said: “Today’s announcement recognises the value and dedication of hardworking doctors and dentists and their key contribution to the NHS in Wales.”

“By going beyond the pay offer in England the Welsh Government are making Wales an even more attractive place to train, work and live”

“Together with our recent agreement on a pay rise for the rest of the NHS Wales workforce, this shows the Welsh Labour Government are committed to investing in staff to ensure they can continue to deliver excellent health and social care.”

MIKE HEDGES AM ASKS WELSH MINISTER FOR INVESTIGATION INTO CONGESTION ON M4 IN SWANSEA AREA.

MIKE HEDGES AM ASKS WELSH MINISTER FOR INVESTIGATION INTO CONGESTION ON M4 IN SWANSEA AREA.

Speaking after the Plenary Session, Swansea East AM Mike Hedges AM said.. ‘ I live close to Jcn 45 and see on a daily basis the congestion around that Jcn and several times a week drive to Cardiff; anyone who uses the M4 in the Swansea area will know that there are real problems every day around Swansea.

I have long believed that we should be looking to provide better public transport through looking at things such as reopening railway station such as Landore. I have also called for the provision of a metro system for Swansea Bay; I am delighted therefore that an in-depth study of traffic flows and congestion has been announced by the Minister. We know these things take time, but this shows that real progress is being made. I look forward to reading the report the Minister reported would be available early in the New Year’

3. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on traffic congestion on the M4 in the South Wales West region? OAQ52617

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Yes. I can assure the Member that we are taking significant steps to tackle congestion and to improve journey time reliability, through our pinch points programme, and through improvements to public transport and supporting local authorities to address, themselves, key local issues.44

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Well, as anybody who listens to Radio Wales in the morning will be aware, there will be a traffic jam between anywhere around about junction 47 to junction 41. This is a sort of standard every morning. Satnavs, of course, are part of the problem, because they generally produce a 'via the M4' route if you are going almost anywhere east or west. Can I ask the Cabinet Secretary to undertake an analysis of where traffic is moving between and also to examine how a metro system could reduce this congestion? It's getting worse, and anybody who is coming in from the west on a daily basis is caught up in it.45

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I recognise that the Member has a very keen interest in junctions between junction 40 to 48 on the M4. It's an interest that his colleague sitting right next to him also has. [Laughter.] I think it's fair to say that evidencing the need to invest in transport improvements is absolutely vital, and modelling current and future traffic patterns will help, in turn, inform how we can maximise the benefits of any spend by the Government. Now, I can assure the Member that my officials, and also Transport for Wales, are looking at meeting in early October to discuss how to build the transport model for south-west Wales, and that model will be used to inform the development of the metro, and also the corridor study that is proposed for the M4 to the west of Bridgend. I'm pleased to be able to say that the commission for an initial WelTAG study to examine congestion  46

WelTAG study to examine congestion between junctions 35 and 49 has recently been awarded, and a report is expected later this year or, at the latest, early 2019.

Swansea East AM Mike Hedges welcomes NHS pay deal

Swansea East Mike Hedges AM welcomes NHS pay deal

Local Assembly Member Mike Hedges AM has welcomed the Welsh Labour Government’s announcement of a new NHS pay deal.

The deal covers nurses and other NHS staff on Agenda for Change terms and conditions in Wales and is stretches over three years.

Trade unions have unanimously agreed to the deal, offered by the Welsh Government, which includes a range of pay and non-pay proposals that will benefit staff and patients. It matches, and in some areas goes beyond the pay deal for England.

As part of the deal pay bands will be restructured to include higher starting pay, removal of overlapping pay points and shorter pay scales.

It guarantees fair basic pay awards for the next three years to staff who are at the top of their bands – in cumulative 6.5% in three years.

Mike Hedges AM said

“Staff in the Welsh NHS work incredibly hard delivering world class care, often under immense pressure.”

“It is right that this dedication is recognised through a pay deal that gives parity with their counterparts in England, and goes beyond it in some areas.”

“After 8 years of austerity, imposed by the UK Government, the Welsh Labour Government are right to find the extra funds needed to fund this pay award.”

The pay offer includes:

·         Going beyond our commitment to the Living Wage Foundation recommendations, with a new rate of £17,460 introduced from 1 April 2018 as the minimum basic pay rate in the NHS and the lowest starting NHS salary increases to £18,005 in 20/21. 

·         Investing in higher starting salaries for staff in every pay band by reforming the pay system to remove overlapping pay points.

·         Guaranteeing fair basic pay awards for the next three years to the staff who are at the top of pay bands;

·         Guaranteeing fair basic pay awards and faster progression pay for the next three years to those staff who are not yet on the top of their pay band.

MIKE HEDGES ASKS WELSH MINISTER FOR UPDATE ON WELSH GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR VIRGIN STAFF

MIKE HEDGES ASKS WELSH MINISTER FOR UPDATE ON WELSH GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR VIRGIN STAFF

Following recent sad developments at Virgin I asked the Welsh Government Business Manager for a statement on what the Welsh Government has done and will do in the future to support the employees – doing so through a statement from a Minister is the most effective way forward as it enables the information to be shared with all members who have constituents working at the Llansamlet site. I welcome confirmation that the Taskforce is now in place.

Mike Hedges AM - Two questions for the leader of the house, one I think that the leader of the house must be getting used to by now: can I request a further update on Welsh Government action on the Virgin Media closure in Swansea? Unfortunately, I say now 'on the closure'; before we broke up for the summer it was 'the proposed closure'. Can I ask for a statement on that?

Julie James AM In terms of Virgin Media, yes, absolutely. It's now clear that the site will close. The taskforce, as I understand it, is in position but I will discuss with my colleague Ken Skates bringing an update, now that the closure's been confirmed, to the house, as a large number of Members have constituents that are affected by it.   

Question on Business Statement 18th September 2018

Question on Business Statement 18^th September 2018

Mike Hedges AM - Two questions for the leader of the house, one I think that the leader of the house must be getting used to by now: can I request a further update on Welsh Government action on the Virgin Media closure in Swansea? Unfortunately, I say now 'on the closure'; before we broke up for the summer it was 'the proposed closure'. Can I ask for a statement on that?138

Can I also request a statement on banks and UCAS acceptance letters in Welsh? Last year, I had clarification that Lloyds Bank would accept it after initial refusal. This year, I've had Santander clarify they accept it after initial refusal. Either I can, on an annual basis, get clarification from the major banks one at a time or the Welsh Government can hold a discussion with them and make a statement to a Plenary session.139

Julie James AM 14:44:13

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Julie James AM - Yes, well on that one I don't see any reason why we shouldn't be able to do that. I'll certainly look into that. I don't understand why we have to go through a process of them refusing and then us getting in touch and then being told 'yes'. I think several Members in the Chamber have had a similar conversation, so I'm happy to see what I can facilitate in terms of the service across Wales on that one.140

In terms of Virgin Media, yes, absolutely. It's now clear that the site will close. The taskforce, as I understand it, is in position but I will discuss with my colleague Ken Skates bringing an update, now that the closure's been confirmed, to the house, as a large number of Members have constituents that are affected by it.   

MIKE HEDGES AM SUPPORTS WORLD SEPSIS DAY

MIKE HEDGES AM SUPPORTS WORLD SEPSIS DAY

Mike Hedges AM for Swansea East has lent his support to World Sepsis Day, the day world focuses on combating an illness which costs the lives of over 1800 people each year in Wales.

Mike Hedges said… I am pleased to support this cause as I am aware of the devastation that this condition causes – and how easily it can be treated if it is spotted early and dealt with before it causes its damage. I am pleased that the Welsh Government has introduced the NEWS screening system in all Welsh NHS Hospitals to enable staff to identify if patients are at risk of developing the condition. I support the role out of this system to enable people in Community settings to also identify if people are developing Sepsis. Awareness raising amongst the general Public is also a big part of this campaign which is why I am supporting World Sepsis Day.

I would urge everyone to look at information highlighting the condition and let’s beat this dreadful condition!

World Sepsis Day - what is sepsis?

What is it?

Sepsis is a life threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. It can be caused by something as simple as a cut or insect bite, or an infection like pneumonia. It is also a risk following surgery, or for women who have just given birth.

How common is it?

Severe sepsis accounts for 37,000 deaths per year in the UK– the equivalent of a top-flight football stadium full of people – with an estimated 1,850 of those to be in Wales. It accounts for more deaths annually than breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined and is the highest cause of maternal death in the UK.

What is being done to tackle sepsis?

Key developments in Wales include;

·         Every hospital in Wales is now using the National Early Warning Score (known as NEWS), which is a simple system that enables staff to assess whether patients are developing sepsis.

·         NEWS is also being tested by staff in community hospitals and in residential homes for the elderly and in mental health services

·         Welsh Ambulance Service paramedics are testing NEWs and are developing systems for screening patients for sepsis prior to arrival at hospital

·         Velindre Cancer Centre uses NEWS across all its clinical areas and out-patient chemotherapy units ensuring it meets the needs of cancer patients.

·         Staff are using sepsis screening tools which help identify sepsis in patients at very early stages, meaning life saving treatment can be given much earlier. Find out more: Rapid Response to Acute Illness

·         Patients are being treated with the ‘sepsis six’ care bundle which consists of three quick tests for sepsis and three simple treatments that are proven to combat it.

·         Doctors, midwives and maternity nurses have worked together to create, implement and monitor the results of bundles of care which improve the recognition and prompt response to treat critically ill women in maternity units in Wales. SFind out more: Transforming Maternity Services

·         Tool kits are being created to help medical students learn how to spot sepsis early on in their training.

Mike Hedges AM Major campaign which urges people to talk about organ donation

Mike Hedges AM Major campaign which urges people to talk about organ donation

Today (Monday 3 September), the Welsh Government launched the second phase of a major campaign focusing on the role of families in the organ donation process.

Mike Hedges said… ‘ I have met many people whose lives have been transformed  transplants and through this am well aware of how important being an organ donor is. I am fully supportive of the Welsh Governments policy of ‘Deemed Consent’. Evidence shows however that despite this, people can still have their views over ridden by family members who may not be aware that people support organ donation. I would urge everyone to chat to loved ones about their wish to have organ donated in the event of premature or unexpected death. It is an awkward topic but a vital one if we are to derive full benefit from Deemed Consent’

Three hard-hitting advertisements show an individual’s choice to donate their organs being over-ridden by family members, because they didn’t talk to them about their decision or registration on the organ donor register to become a donor. 

The Welsh Government is urging people to talk during Organ Donation Week (September 3 to 9) to prevent lifesaving transplants being missed because families did not know their loved one’s organ donation decision.

Surveys show around 80% of people in the UK support organ donation, however only 33% of people have told their family that they want to donate. In circumstances where a family does not know their loved one’s decision, they are far more likely to refuse to allow organ donation to take place. 

Data published by NHS Blood and Transplant showed that in 2017-18 there were 22 cases in Wales where families either overrode their relatives’ decisions to donate organs, or didn’t support deemed consent.
With an average of 3.2 organs retrieved per donor in Wales in 2017-18, this could have resulted in as many as 70 additional transplants.

MIKE HEDGES AM URGES PARENTS TO CHECK IF THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR HELP WITH THE COSTS OF SCHOOL UNIFORMS.

MIKE HEDGES AM URGES PARENTS TO CHECK IF THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR HELP WITH THE COSTS OF SCHOOL UNIFORMS.

Mike Hedges said….’ At the start of a new term there are all sorts of extra costs for parents and some parents might be eligible for help in the costs of uniforms and some types of equipment. I would urge parents to check to see if they are eligible. Please contact Swansea Council Education Dept.’

PDG-Access offers parents/carers £125 to buy school uniform, equipment, sports kit and kit for activities outside of school for their child.

Looked-after children and learners eligible for free school meals will be eligible for this grant if they are entering reception class in primary school, entering year 7 in secondary school or aged 4 or 11 in special schools, Special Educational Needs (SEN) Units or Pupil Referral Units.