Mike Hedges AM welcomes news that new priorities launched to support the growth of Wales’ Creative Industries

Mike Hedges AM welcomes news that new priorities launched to support the growth of Wales’ Creative Industries Speaking from his Swansea East Constituency, Mike Hedges AM said.. I greatly welcome this news as Wales has a strong record in the Creative Industries and this announcement builds on this proud tradition. We need to provide support to encourage new talent and to expand the range of venues in Wales. We also need to market Wales as a creative arts venue. I am sure that the type of investment outlined in the announcement will also support developments in our higher education sector. I look forward to supporting creative industries in Swansea in the coming years.  The Welsh labour Government has launched Creative Wales - to position Wales as the place for creative businesses to thrive. The main priorities for the Creative Wales are to: Drive growth of the Creative Industries sector in Wales with a more targeted regional and sub-sector focus. Develop the right skills across the sector to support continued growth, recognising that this cannot be done in isolation and will require closer working with industry and trade union partners. Raise standards and promote diversity and equality. This will include developing commitments from all partners with regards to inclusion, fair pay and exemplary working practices. Simplify funding support for the creative industry and ensure that we are able to respond to the fast pace of the sector. All funding will be delivered through an economic contract. Take a lead role in the marketing and promotion of the creative industries in Wales to the world, via a new Creative Wales brand. The Welsh Labour Government has also announced funding provided to Creative and Cultural Skills and their partners, in order to establish and deliver a pilot of the Creative Careers Programme Cymru. The programme will work with more young people to raise awareness and interest of the breadth of creative career opportunities available in the sector. To support the industry, Creative Wales will have two funding streams for capital and revenue funding, which will respond quickly and flexibly to sector needs, which will be more than £7m in 2020-21. Independent Venues Week takes place this week and the Welsh Labour Government also announced funding of £120,000 for Grass Roots Music Venues. The next steps will include establishing an advisory board, adverts for recruiting Board Chair and members will go live on 29 January. Gerwyn Evans has been appointed to the role of Deputy Director, Creative Wales.

MIKE HEDGES AM PRAISES VOLUNTEERS AT LOCAL SPORTS CLUB AND ASKS THAT MORE SPORTS CLUBS GET DEFIBRULATORS.

MIKE HEDGES AM PRAISES VOLUNTEERS AT LOCAL SPORTS CLUB AND ASKS THAT MORE SPORTS CLUBS GET DEFIBRULATORS.

Speaking from The Senedd, Local AM Mike Hedges said… ‘Thank goodness this young boy is ok – that’s the big thing here. I would like to pay tribute to the volunteers and parents at the club who went to his aid and helped save his life. It brings home how people can become ill in any situation. I would also like to say what a good thing it is that a defibrillator was available nearby. This is the second occasion over the last few days, following an incident at The Mond Club, Clydach, where a defibrillator was used to help save a life. I am aware of the fantastic work Cariad do in providing Defibrillator’s for communities and sports clubs. I would urge any sports clubs in the Swansea area to contact Cariad to see if they can work with together to increase the number of defibrillators available in the local areas.’

A young boy had to be resuscitated by a coach and a parent after having a suspected cardiac arrest during a football training session.

The boy was training with Penlan Football Club at the Phoenix Centre in Townhill, Swansea, on Tuesday evening when he collapsed.

His club said the boy appeared to have a fit before he stopped breathing.

Club officials said they have been told by the boy's parents that he is now "awake and talking" in hospital.

"He'll stay in hospital to be monitored over the next 48 hours but big steps to what will hopefully be a full recovery," said the club on the Penlan Juniors AFC Facebook page.

MIKE HEDGES AM CALLS ON WELSH GOVERNMENT TO ADOPT WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION GUIDELINES FOR LEVELS OF PM2.5 POLLUTANTS

MIKE HEDGES AM CALLS ON WELSH GOVERNMENT TO ADOPT WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION GUIDELINES FOR LEVELS OF PM2.5 POLLUTANTS. 

Speaking from his Senedd Office, Swansea East AM, Mike Hedges AM said.. ‘The evidence is growing that airborne particulates are a significant cause of respiratory problems for people in Wales, and within my Constituency. Currently, the Welsh Government target is 25mg per cubic metre; this is too high – Wales should adopt the WHO lower target of 10MG per Cubic Metre of Air.  People are dying and suffering real respiratory problems because of substances in the air they breathe. It is time to put people first and make the hard decisions to cut emissions.

We could consider ultra-low emission zones in city centres, and we could look at restrictions on activities which give off high emissions.

We can also put a moratorium in place on the construction of new waste incinerators which will add to an already polluted environment’

The call  comes as 400 deaths a year were linked to poor air quality in south Wales, according to the Centre for Cities.

In Cardiff alone, 131 deaths in 2017 were related to levels of particles in the air, said the think tank.

Across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, the pollution was linked to 158 deaths, while in Newport there were 113 deaths, Centre for Cities said.

"The deadly levels of polluted air in Wales are entirely legal. This needs to change," said the Centre for Cities chief executive Andrew Carter.

"Failure to act now will lead to more deaths in Wales."

The think tank said transport and burning fossil fuels were significant contributors to the levels of air pollution - known as particulate matter (PM).

Cities in south east England were singled out by the report for the highest levels of pollutants known as PM2.5, including London, Luton and Slough.

But Swansea and the surrounding area had the highest levels of PM2.5 for every 10,000 inhabitants - along with Belfast in Northern Ireland.

“Millions of pounds of children’s savings could go unclaimed” warns local Labour AM.

Mike Hedges  AM is calling on all parents and teenagers about to turn 18 to check they have access to government-backed trust funds, set up when they were born.

In some cases these child trust accounts, which will mature this autumn and may contain around £1,000, could be lost after the UK Government scrapped the Labour scheme.

Welsh Labour is demanding the UK Government does more to make sure all young people in (Name Constituency) who are about to turn 18 are properly reunited with their child trust fund.

Child Trust Funds were set up by the former UK Labour Government in 2002. All children born from 1 September 2002 received an initial payment of at least £250 before the scheme was abolished by Conservative Ministers in 2011. It is a long-term tax-free scheme designed to help boost savings for children with those from low income families receiving an additional £250.

The Welsh Labour Government boosted the scheme even further with Child Trust Fund Cymru in Autumn 2009. The scheme provided an additional top-up of £50 for all children in Wales, with a payment of £100 to children living in low income households as they began primary school.

The first wave of the child trust funds will mature in September 2020, with access to savings for all children born in 2002.

Mike Hedges  AM said:

“The Welsh Labour Government and the then UK Labour Government made a significant investment on the future of our young people, and it’s crucial that the current UK Government plays their part as these young people make plans for their future.”

“Many people won’t know that they have these accounts because the Conservative UK Government hasn’t promoted them. I’m urging all young people who turn 18 in September to check their funds. If you’d like more information or help on how to access these funds, please get in touch with my office or visit: https://www.gov.uk/child-trust-funds.”

“These funds offer an opportunity for young people to re-invest and save further or cover immediate costs, at 18 years of age they face some of their most important life decisions. They should face no barrier in accessing the savings that they’re entitled to.”

The Welsh Labour Government opposed the abolition of the scheme in 2011 and has accused the Tories of undermining the scheme by not promoting savings that risk going unclaimed when young people turn 18.

Finance Minister Rebecca Evans has written to the UK Treasury demanding all young people in Wales are linked to their accounts.

She said: “The funds committed by previous UK and Welsh Labour governments were investment in our children’s future. Whether young people choose to re-invest that money and save for the future or use it to meet immediate costs to help with their next steps at this pivotal age, they should face no barriers to accessing these savings.”

-Ends-

Notes to editors

1. More information about how to access these funds can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/child-trust-funds.
2. My office can be contacted by phone on 01792 790621

MIKE HEDGES AM WARNS PEOPLE TO BE AWARE OF THE SYMPTOMS OF MUMPS AFTER 7 FOLD INCREASE IN CASES IN 2019

MIKE HEDGES AM WARNS PEOPLE TO BE AWARE OF THE SYMPTOMS OF MUMPS AFTER 7 FOLD INCREASE IN CASES IN 2019



Speaking from his Morrison office, Local Senedd Member Mike Hedges said… ‘I am aware what an unpleasant illness Mumps is and have spoken to health professionals who have flagged up that there was a 7 fold increase in the number of reported cases in Wales last year. It is an illness which particularly affects children and young people and I would urge people to familiarise themselves with the symptoms so they know what to look out for. I would also urge people to check that their immunisations are up to date as the MMR vaccine provides a high level of protection for this unpleasant condition’

There were five times more suspected cases of mumps diagnosed in Wales in 2019 than the year before, figures have shown.

Public Health Wales identified 2,695 potential cases of the viral infection last year - up from 519 in 2018.

The areas with the most suspected cases were Cardiff and Swansea, which have large numbers of students.

The health body said no outbreak had been declared but it was monitoring cases.

It urged students and the public to check they have had two doses of the MMR jab - measles, mumps and rubella - as a precaution.

Mumps is contagious and characterised by painful swelling of the glands at the side of the face.

Some universities are already warning students - who are at risk as they can be in close proximity for large periods of time - to get their jabs after a number of suspected cases on campuses last year.

Swansea East AM Mike Hedges urges households to ‘Stay Warm This Winter’

Swansea East AM Mike Hedges urges households to ‘Stay Warm This Winter’

·         With winter setting in, local AM Mike Hedges is urging residents in Swansea East to make sure their homes are prepared

·         Here are some top tips for households to help deal with the winter

·         British Gas has also launched Boiler Support with Google Assistant to help homeowners fix more simple boiler issues themselves for free

With cold weather setting in, local AM Mike Hedges is urging residents to make sure their homes are prepared for the winter.

Each year, around than 1.3 million homes across Britain experience a boiler breakdown and a new study shows that 34 per cent of households didn’t have their boiler serviced in 2019 - putting themselves at risk of a similar crisis.  

During the Beast from the East, temperatures of below -10°C and wind speeds of over 60mph led to the busiest week on record for British Gas, with 104 calls for assistance coming in every second. Engineers across Britain cancelled their holidays and stayed at home so they could be there for their customers.

This winter, British Gas’s expert team of engineers have worked with Google to launch Boiler Support. This is a free service available via the Google Assistant app which helps people fix some of the less technical boiler problems at home - https://www.britishgas.co.uk/home-services/boiler-support.html

Mike Hedges AM said: “It’s really important for homes to be prepared for the winter. I want everyone in Swansea East to understand what help is available to them, and for their family and friends. Being energy efficient and keeping bills under control is also really important, so I’d encourage people to seek advice from their energy supplier and take practical steps to help with their energy use this winter.”

There are some really simple steps you can take to help prepare your house for winter and keep everything running.

1. Look after your boiler: Make sure your boiler’s working properly and get a Gas Safe engineer to service your boiler annually.

2. Bleed your radiators: This may seem obvious, but you wouldn’t believe how many people forget. If you haven’t used the heating for a while, air can enter the system and form bubbles at the top of your radiators, which stops them from working efficiently.

• If you notice cold spots at the top of your radiators, switch them off and when cool, turn a radiator key in the valve at the top to let the air out. Have a rag or a small container to hand so you can catch any drips.
• Keep in mind that bleeding your radiator may cause the system pressure to drop. If you have a pressure gauge on your boiler, give it a quick check and top up as necessary. 
• Cold spots at the bottom or centre of the radiator may be an indication of sludge build up and the need for system flushing

3. Block the breeze: Your windows and doors should seal properly but for those that don’t, there are lots of options to help keep cold air out and warm air in. Fitting draught excluders – available from most DIY stores – is a quick, easy and affordable way to cut down on your energy bills and draught-proof your home. Letterbox brushes, chimney balloons and even keyhole coverings can also make a real difference.

4. Maximise the heat: There’s nothing better than settling down in front of your favourite box set as a family, but before you get too comfortable, think about where your heat sources are. Putting your sofa in front of a radiator may keep the best spot in the house extra toasty, but it will absorb heat that could be warming the rest of the room.

5. Be energy smart: It’s inevitable that our energy use will increase when the heating’s on over winter, but there is a simple way to keep track of how much you’re using – and spending. With smart meters, you’ll be able to see how much energy you’re using in pounds and pence, helping you to identify where you can make savings during peak energy season. To find out more about smart meters just visit: www.britishgas.co.uk/smart.

6. Insulate your hot water system: Stopping heat from escaping doesn’t just save you money.  When temperatures drop below zero, it’s important to make sure that the water inside your pipes doesn’t freeze and cause them to burst. Lagging materials are available from most DIY stores – an easy, cost-effective solution for protecting your water tank and pipes.

7. Install a carbon monoxide detector: You can’t hear it, see it, taste it or smell it, and it kills around 30 people a year.  Fortunately, carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable.  Faulty central heating systems are one of the most common sources of carbon monoxide in the home – as well getting your boiler checked once a year, it’s essential to have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted.  Available through British Gas or from your local DIY store, the detectors last between five and seven years, so check yours is in date and test it to be certain it’s working.

8. Make the most of soft furnishings: Hanging curtains and placing rugs on hard floors are some of the simplest and most effective ways to keep your home warm this winter. Thick material (the thicker the better) prevents heat from being lost through windows and doors – just don’t forget to open your curtains during the day so that the sun can do some of the work!

9. Use tech to control your heating remotely:  Ever thought about controlling your heating and hot water remotely from your smartphone? With Hive Active Heating, you can turn the heating on when you’re coming home from work, so the house warms up in time for your arrival – equally, if you’re running late for any reason, having the flexibility to control your heating on the go means you’ll never waste money on energy you’re not using. To find out more, visit: www.britishgas.co.uk/hive.

10. Get the help you’re entitled to: It’s worth finding out if you’re eligible for extra assistance with your energy bills, especially at this time of year. Face-to-face advice, financial support and grants are available from the British Gas Energy Trust (even if you’re not a British Gas customer). Customers who need an extra hand with the practical side of things can sign up to be on the Priority Services Register, for additional services such as different bill formats and advanced warnings if their energy supply is facing disruption.

ENDS

About British Gas  

British Gas is Britain’s leading supplier of energy, delivering to more than 10 million homes in Britain and more than 400,000 businesses. We offer the highest quality services to both UK homes and businesses, provided by more than 8,000 highly-trained engineers. We also provide a range of innovative products and services including smart meters, connected home products by Hive™, and the on-demand, online tradesman service, Local Heroes. 

British Gas is happy to help with any winter related stories you have planned. We can offer: 

• Engineer interviews for further advice / insight or personal stories
• On the ground commentary from British Gas engineers during cold snaps and times of extreme weather 
• British Gas call out data – to facilitate comparisons across different time periods and regions

Mike High welcomes news that High street retailers to get support with their rates bills.

Mike High welcomes news that High street retailers to get support with their rates bills.



Local AM Mike Hedges AM has welcomed the Welsh Labour Government’s announcement that High street businesses and other retailers in Swansea East will continue to receive help with their rate bills again this year.



The Welsh Government is investing £24.2m to enhance and extend its high street rates relief scheme in 2020-21.



Around 15,000 small and medium sized businesses across Wales, including shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs will continue to receive support to pay their rates bills.



Mike Hedges AM said:



“This scheme is about backing businesses on high streets like Woodfield Street, Morriston, and is in addition to the £230m the Welsh Labour Government provides to help businesses pay their bills, ensuring that half of them pay no rates at all.”



“The current economic conditions and competition from online retailers and out-of-town shopping centres are having an impact on our high streets. High streets are the heart of our communities where we shop, work, eat and socialise.”



“This Welsh Government scheme will ensure high street retailers receive support to pay their bills and can continue to provide much-needed services to their local communities.”



-Ends-



Notes to editors:

1. For further information please see https://gov.wales/written-statement-extension-high-street-and-retail-rates-relief-2020-21. 

MIKE HEDGES AM CALLS FOR THE REINTRODUCTION OF FREE SWIMMING FOR THE OVER 60s.

MIKE HEDGES AM CALLS FOR THE REINTRODUCTION OF FREE SWIMMING FOR THE OVER 60s.



Speaking from the Senedd, Swansea East AM said…. ‘I am very concerned with the changes which have been made for the free swimming program; when launched it was a mightily successful program which encouraged older people to take exercise and socialise with their peers. I was contacted by many people when changes were made which reduced the number of opportunities for free swimming for the over 60s. I think that this is a BIG mistake and I have already lobbied for the decision to be reversed.



The budget debate is a good opportunity to make the point to the Finance Minister that the Budget would be a good opportunity to reverse this mistaken decision. Free Swimming ticks many boxes for the Welsh Government – it encourages exercise, tackles loneliness, and in the long term improves people’s health.



I think that Free Swimming for the over 60s should have the funding reinstated and go back to the arrangements in place previously.

Mike Hedges AM - I could give you an alternative. I'll give you an alternative: I'd take money out of the economy budget and I'd put it into the environment budget and I'd put it into the education budget. I'm only asking you to do top-line changes. But, I think, where you would take money off—. Because you have to take money off somewhere to put it in somewhere else.289

Can I start off with a request that's very easy? Can we have the £1 million return for over-60s free swimming? I am told this followed an independent review that recommended it. Can the Government now accept the independent review into free over-60s swimming was wrong and reinstate the money? The belief in the infallibility of independent reviews and inspectors is to me incredibly worrying—that these people are not infallible. This is money that is really useful in that it gets people out and exercising—the over-60s—and keeps them out of hospital.

MIKE HEDGES PRAISES WELSH GOVERNMENT FOR ITS PROGAME FOR ORAL HEALTH OF CARE HOME RESIDENTS.

MIKE HEDGES PRAISES WELSH GOVERNMENT FOR ITS PROGAME FOR ORAL HEALTH OF CARE HOME RESIDENTS.



Speaking from The Senedd, Mike Hedges said…. ‘Oral Health is so important to feeling well and if you have to live in a residential home it can so easily be over looked. I am so pleased that the Welsh Government is focusing on this area of life for our elderly citizens. As the Minister noted, I have spoken about this topic before, and I will continue to do so because I think that it is a real success story for preventative spending by the Welsh Government. Our elderly citizens should have the best oral health possible and this spend helps them achieve this ’

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Mike Hedges AM - It is understandable that many care home residents have poor dental health when they first move into care, as they often move into care due to deteriorating health and lack of mobility. As dental access for children is at an all-time high, and, as you know, I speak very regularly about how good Designed to Smile is, does the Minister agree with me that it's fantastic news for older people that the A Lasting Smile programme budget will double next year, ensuring that the scheme reaches all care homes across Wales?65

Rebecca Evans AM 14:02:08

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I thank Mike Hedges for raising that particular, important issue and for his constant support for Designed to Smile. I remember in the finance scrutiny session just recently, he was able to cite that as one of the excellent examples of really, truly preventative spend that we do have in Wales. I think it's only right that we seek to focus our efforts to improve the dental and oral health of older people who are living in care homes, so I'm delighted that the Minister for Health and Social Services announced an additional £0.25 million to extend that Gwên am Byth—A Lasting Smile oral health programme into the next year, and we're doubling the available funding for that now to ensure that it's rolled out to every single care home in Wales during 2020.