MIKE HEDGES MS REQUESTS WELSH GOVERNMENT STATEMENT ON RENEWABLE ENRGY IN WALES.

 MIKE HEDGES MS REQUESTS WELSH GOVERNMENT STATEMENT ON RENEWABLE ENRGY IN WALES. 

 

Speaking after Business Questions, local Swansea East Senedd Member, Mike Hedges said …’ Renewable enrgy offers Wales so much more than just green energy; it offers the chance for Wales to be World leaders in new technology which offers chances to upskill the Welsh Work force and drive our local economies. 

 

It also offers the chance to be one of the world  leaders in Renewable energy and to develop an industry which we can sell to the world. People will come to Wales to see how it is done. 

 

Renewable energy should be a National goal for Wales so we can deal with the climate change  crisis but also because it can drive the Welsh economy for decades to come.’

 

 

 

 

Mike Hedges MS

 

The second statement I'm requesting is an update on renewable energy in Wales—a statement to include tidal, onshore and offshore wind, and solar. I very much welcome the use of the solar farm next to Morriston Hospital to provide energy to the hospital, and would like to see a plan for more of those across Wales. The tidal lagoon in Swansea was turned down on the grounds of the availability of cheap gas—remember that? As that is no longer true, can the statement also include proposals for tidal lagoons?

 

Lesley Griffiths MS

In relation to renewable energy, the Member will be aware that the Minister for Climate Change absolutely has a vision for Wales to host renewable generation to at least fully meet our energy needs while also retaining wealth and value here in Wales. She is currently implementing the recommendations of the deep dive that she undertook earlier this year. It's really good that you mentioned Morriston Hospital. Certainly, we are doing all we can to encourage more energy projects on the public estate here in Wales.

 

MIKE HEDGES MS ASKS FIRST MINISTER FOR ASSURANCES ALL GP SURGERIES WILL MEET THE CURRENT MEDIAN PERFORMANCE.

 MIKE HEDGES MS ASKS FIRST MINISTER FOR ASSURANCES ALL GP SURGERIES WILL MEET THE CURRENT MEDIAN PERFORMANCE. 

 

Speaking after First Ministers Questions, local Swansea East MS Mike Hedges said… ‘while many fantastic GP surgeries exist within my Constituency, my post bag is jammed with complaints and concerns regarding access to GP’s at one practice in particular. I am pleased therefore that the new GP contracts will go a long way to ensuring that the standards are enforceable which is difficult under the current arrangements. 

 

My constituents will be very pleased to know that the powers to enforce contractual obligations will be strengthened.’

 

Mike Hedges MS13:36:03

 

There are huge variabilities between surgeries' access. There are some excellent surgeries in my constituency, including Clydach and Strawberry Place, neither of which is my surgery. Over 90 per cent of my constituency complaints regarding GP surgeries' access is about one surgery. When people are unable to see a GP, they either go to A&E or wait until their condition deteriorates and are then forced to go to A&E. What can the Welsh Government do to ensure that at least the current median performance is achieved by all GP practices?15

Mark Drakeford MS13:36:31

 

First Minister of Wales

I thank Mike Hedges for that question, Llywydd. He draws attention to one of the fundamental facts of primary care, which is that GPs are independent contractors. They have a contract with the board, and they are not directly managed by the Welsh Government or the local health service. However, the good news for constituents of Mike Hedges is that, because of the successful conclusion of the negotiations for next year's contract, then the access standards move from being one of those things that GPs can sign up to, to one of the things that they have to deliver. It is now a fundamental part of the new contract, and that will mean, I believe, that that minority of practices—. Remember, 89 per cent of practices achieve those standards already, and that's an improvement from 65 per cent, Llywydd, in March of 2020, so the great thrust of primary care in Wales has been in the right direction, thanks to enormous efforts of staff. That small minority—that 10 per cent—that's left to achieve those standards, those things will now be easier to enforce because the contract itself will require them to be achieved.16

 

MIKE HEDGES EXTOLS THE VIRTUE OF EDUCATION DURING SENEDD DEBATE

MIKE HEDGES EXTOLS THE VIRTUE OF EDUCATION DURING SENEDD DEBATE  

Speaking from the Senedd after the ‘Knowledge is Power’ Education as a Route out of Poverty debate, local Swansea East MS, Mike Hedges said … ‘ education is one of the most important ways of combating poverty which has blighted the lives of people in my constituency for decades. Access to education, both formal Higher Education and vocational courses has never been easier and I would urge everyone to take whatever opportunities come their way. It is never too late to learn new skills and to improve your chances in the jobs market.  

Education can change your life for the better – it did for me and it can for you; don’t turn down chances to learn’ 

 

Mike Hedges MS -  

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, for your generosity. I would also like to thank John Griffiths for giving me a minute in this debate. There are traditionally two legal routes out of poverty. One is via sporting prowess and the other is via education, but education is not a level playing field, and it has become less so with the development of technology. I had access to every book that my wealthier contemporaries had, although it was via the library. Today, I would be limited to two hours of a computer in a public library, and have to pay to print my work. I spent 25 rewarding years teaching in further education, and I believe I helped to change the lives of very many. 

 

 504 

Education offers an opportunity to young people, but also, via the further education sector and the Open University, there's an opportunity to gain qualifications throughout life. Taking these opportunities has transformed the lives and earning capacity of many people, moving them out of low-wage employment into higher wage sectors. I would urge everyone to take their educational opportunities, because unless you are a highly gifted sportsperson, this is your one big chance. I, like John Griffiths, can say it worked for me.  

 

Mike Hedges Welcomes news that Reception class children in Wales will get free school meals from September - the first in a rollout for all primary school pupils.

 Mike Hedges Welcomes news that Reception class children in Wales will get free school meals from September - the first in a rollout for all primary school pupils. 

Speaking from his Senedd Office, Swansea East MS Mike Hedges said…. ‘ I welcome this news as it is good news that all pupils in Wales will get Free School Meals as part of the agreement with Plaid. I know of schools in my Constituency where teachers say children come to school with no breakfast and often do not have enough money for lunch. They tell me that children who are disruptive in class are often those they fear are noy eating enough. All children should have good quality food every day – including school holidays – and the agreement between the Welsh Labour Government and Plaid goes a long way to addressing these very real concerns. 

 No child should go hungry in Wales in the 21st Century’ 

All the country's approximately 272,000 primary school pupils are set to get free lunches by 2024. 

It is part of a deal between Plaid Cymru and the Labour Welsh government. 

Because of the cost of living crisis, ministers said they were working with local authorities to ensure it was started as quickly as possible. 

A total of £225m has been set aside to pay for it over the next three years. 

From September, Wales' 22 local authorities will begin receiving the money, with pupils aged four and five the first to get their free lunches. 

Mike Hedges MS welcomes New vision to secure a bright future for Wales’ retail sector

 Mike Hedges MS welcomes New vision to secure a bright future for Wales’ retail sector 

Speaking from his Morriston Office, Local Swansea East MS. Mike Hedges said…. ‘ I welcome this announcement because the retail sector is vital to the Welsh and Swansea Economy and we need to make sure that it is an attractive sector for people to work in and that people feel valued when working in the retail sector. This plan sets out ambitious plans for Retailers, Welsh Government and Trade Unions to work together to ensure a better future for the retail sector.  

I would urge everyone to value and respect retail workers who are there to ensure your safety at their place of work; please treat them with courtesy and respect.’ 

• new vision sets out how the Welsh Government, the retail sector and trade unions will work together to develop a successful, innovative, sustainable and resilient sector 

• retail is Wales’ biggest private sector employer, providing jobs to more than 114,000 people across the country 

• vision sets out ambitions to ensure retail remains at the heart of Welsh communities by offering people fair work and real career opportunities 

• includes measures to help the sector overcome workforce recruitment and retention challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the UK’s exit from the EU, alongside the impact on operating costs and consumer habits caused by the cost-of-living crisis. 

The shared strategic vision for the retail sector sets out how the Welsh Government, the sector and trade unions will work together in social partnership to ensure retail has a bright and sustainable future in Wales, which provides fair and rewarding career opportunities for its current and future workers. 

The retail sector is hugely important to the Welsh economy. It is Wales’ largest private sector employer, providing jobs to more than 114,000 people, contributing 6% of Wales’ GVA. 

The Welsh Government values the jobs, goods, community services and benefits the sector provides. Ministers are committed to working with partners to support a sustainable and prospering retail sector that remains at the heart of Welsh communities, which offers people fair work and real career opportunities. 

The changing face of our town centres is vital to retail and in turn our town centres need a successful and resilient retail sector.  

The vision outlines the major challenges facing the sector, and defines the key areas where action is needed. 

These include: 

• improving career opportunities within retail, with a commitment to progressively improving pay, terms and conditions beyond statutory minimums, ideally through collective bargaining 

• greater job security, particularly in ensuring workers being offered guaranteed hours and sufficient notice of changes in shift patterns. 

• retail becoming an exemplar of workforce equality, diversity and inclusion – with proactive steps taken to address under-representation, occupational segregation and pay gaps 

• ensuring fair working conditions and a safe working environment, with retail workers having an effective voice in decisions that affect them and their working conditions 

• ensuring Wales’ town centres and high streets are thriving, through interventions such as investment, including ‘Transforming Towns’ regeneration investment, support for non-domestic rates and, through the Welsh Government’s Town Centre First approach, making these settings the preferred location for workplaces and services 

• addressing skills shortages. Building on the Welsh Government’s Plan for Employability and Skills and in partnership with the sector and trades unions, Ministers are committed to helping to provide the sector with a future-proofed workforce. The plan sets out actions to both upskill existing workers and attract new entrants to the sector 

• helping retailers to seize the opportunities of decarbonisation and digitalisation by, for example, reducing their reliance on fossil fuels, minimising the carbon footprint of their supply chains and investing in and maximising the potential use of digital technology. 

Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething and Deputy Minister for Social Partnership, Hannah Blythyn, are jointly launching the vision today during a visit to independent bookshop, Storyville and Boots the Chemist in Pontypridd town centre.