Mike Hedges challenges Welsh Government on Unfairness of Standing charges for Energy when no Energy is used

 MIKE HEDGES CHALLENGES WELSH GOVERNMENT ON UNFAIRNESS OF STANDING CHARGES FOR ENERGY WHEN NO ENERGY IS USED.  

Speaking from his Senedd office after Business Questions, local Swansea East MS said ‘ it is surely one of the scandals of the age that people who do not use energy, still have to pay a charge per day when they next use their gas or electric, even for the days when no energy has been used. It means people with pre-payment metres pay huge charges for small usages of energy.  

I urge the Welsh Government to do all they can to end this unfair and cruel practice.’ 

 

Mike Hedges MS14:23:35 

  

Carrying on the energy theme, I'm requesting a Government statement on progress being made by the Welsh Government on ending standing charges on days when no energy is used. When people have their first hot meal for days, which is likely to be a tin of soup, and find they have used up to a quarter of their energy credit, to me this is fundamentally wrong. I would add the word 'cruel' as well. Whilst opposed in principle to standing charges, which hit the poorest hardest, as a first step it is imperative that standing charges are not made on days when no energy is used. 

 

 

 

Lesley Griffiths MS14:24:36 

  

Thank you. Well, I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear that the Minister for Social Justice absolutely agrees with you on the substantive issue you raise. I know she's had several meetings with energy companies and also with Ofgem. I think the last time we met Ofgem was yesterday, where she raised this issue with them. We believe there should be no standing charges for prepayment customers. They're a real injustice for prepayment customers. 

 

 

 

Mike Hedges speaks in support of Welsh Language Community Newspapers

MIKE HEDGES SPEAKS IN SUPPORT OF WELSH LANGUAGE LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS AND ASKS FOR WELSH GOVERNMENT SUPPORT.  

Speaking from the Senedd office, local Swansea East MS said…  ‘Local Welsh Language community newspapers provide a vital link within Welsh speaking communities, enabling people to keep in touch with what is happening within their communities in their own language. It is difficult to put a value on that, especially when you are trying to encourage people to learn Welsh and use it in their every day lives.  

I urge the Welsh Government to come up with a plan to support these vital resources within our Communities!’ 

 

Mike Hedges MS14:23:35 

  

 

I would also like to ask for a Government statement on the future of papurau bro in Wales. These are Welsh language, local, community newspapers produced by volunteers and generally published monthly. In Swansea, we have Wilia, which is very good, and which has now gone online only. It provides a valuable opportunity to keep up with what is happening in Welsh-medium schools, the local Welsh societies, and Welsh-medium chapels. I'm asking for a Government plan for the continuation of these vital resources.89 

 

Lesley Griffiths MS14:24:36 

  

With regard to your second question, papurau bro are absolutely unique sources here in Wales for our Welsh language community-based news. We're very grateful for the work of many volunteers who work very hard to ensure that they're published each month. I think it's fair to say that COVID-19 posed a real threat to them. Many did continue to be published and some adapted to being published online, as you referred to. I know the Minister for Education and Welsh Language last week announced a one-off inflationary support for Welsh language grant-funded organisations, and the network of papurau bro will receive an additional £6,000.91