MIKE HEDGES AM QUESTIONS WELSH MINISTER ABOUT CHANGES TO FREE SWIMMING POLICY

MIKE HEDGES AM QUESTIONS WELSH MINISTER ABOUT CHANGES TO FREE SWIMMING POLICY

Speaking form the Senedd, Swansea East AM Mike Hedges said…. I have been contacted by numerous people recently following changes to the rules for free swimming for those over 65. It seems as if the amount of time available for free swimming for over 65s has been reduced at many local swimming facilities. I am pleased that the Minster was able to clarify that the provision is now the responsibility of the local authorities and the provision is being monitored. Although only a small number of people availed themselves of the free swimming time, to these people it provided recreation, exercise and an opportunity to socialise with others. It would be a shame if this facility were to be withdrawn all together.

If anyone has experiences they wish to feedback on changes to the scheme, please contact my office and I will ensure that resident’s views are passed on to Ministers.

Mike Hedges AM - The second statement I'm requesting is on free swimming for those over 65. A large number of my older constituents in the least advantaged parts of Swansea East are now losing out on free swimming. If our aim is towards preventative rather than reactive health action, then free swimming for our elderly living in the poorest of communities is surely very important to keep people active and keep them out of hospitals.

Rebecca Evans AM - In terms of the free swimming initiative, Mike Hedges will be aware that it was only 6 per cent of the over-60s who were taking up the opportunity for the free swimming initiative, and the independent report suggested that the scheme did need to be amended, to ensure that young people, particularly from poorer backgrounds, were able to take up the opportunity for free swimming.109

So, the situation now is that, based on the understanding of the needs of their own communities, local authorities are being asked to focus on supporting young people, and older citizens from more disadvantaged areas, and provide new plans to meet those objectives. And those plans, I can say, are currently being introduced, and we are in a transition period, where users are being encouraged to feed back their views and experiences to the provider via their local swimming pools. Again, I'd be really pleased if Mike Hedges and other Members are able to feed back some of their feedback to Welsh Government in terms of what their constituents are telling them, because that feedback will be used to help local authorities and delivery agents provide a more tailored service in the future. Support will be provided by Sport Wales and Swim Wales, who will, in turn, report back to the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism every six months, for a period of 18 months.

MIKE HEDGES AM WELCOMES NEWS THAT CITY ARENA IS NOW MOVING TO THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE

MIKE HEDGES AM WELCOMES NEWS THAT CITY ARENA IS NOW MOVING TO THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE





Speaking from his Morriston office, Local AM, Mike Hedges said… ‘I am thrilled with the news that the Arena is going to be built; it is going to be a huge addition to the City and will add so much to the offer the city has to visitors. It will be good to see big name bands at a local venue. It will also offer stable employment for local people.



It will also draw lots of people to the city centre which can only be a good thing and an increased footfall will encourage other business to move into the city centre too.



I congratulate the City Council for delivering this exciting vision for the City.’



End



Note

Work to build a 3,500-seat arena, shops and flats is set to begin in Swansea after £110m funding is approved.

The first phase of the city centre revamp at Oystermouth Road, which is also expected to include a multi-storey car park, will start "next week", the council said.

The authority's cabinet agreed the cash. It had previously committed £24m towards the scheme.

The regeneration project is due to be completed in 2021.

MIKE HEDGES TELLS ASSEMBLY WHY HE SUPPORTS EXTENDING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT FRANCHISE

MIKE HEDGES TELLS ASSEMBLY WHY HE SUPPORTS EXTENDING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT FRANCHISE



Speaking from The Senedd, Swansea East AM, Mike Hedges said….  ‘ I wholeheartedly support the extension of Franchise as outlined by the Minister. I am on the record over many years as supporting the right of 16 and 17 year olds to vote; seeing this become law is quite thrilling.



On the other measures, I think these are an appropriate tidying up of the rules for local democracy. I see no reason why senior council officers should not be able to stand for election- if successful they will bring a wealth of new experience to local and national government.



Democracy can’t stand still, it must evolve. These new measurers begin the process of moving Democracy in Wales into the 21^st Century.’

Three very positive statements on the Bill: extending the local government franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds may well get all of us as politicians paying more interest to the views of 16 and 17-year-olds than we have up until now—and I don't exclude myself from that, I don't exclude other Members in here either, and certainly not local authorities. 230

Secondly, enabling the addition of people to the electoral register without application where the electoral registration officer is satisfied they have reliable information the individual is eligible for registration: it's not just your ability to vote, it's all the other things that go with being on the electoral register.231

Allowing principal council employees and officers who wish to stand for election to resign their posts once they are elected, rather than when declaring candidacy: I think that's a great step forward. And we both know people who've given up and then failed to get elected afterwards. But when is the resignation to take place—on being declared elected, or before they sign the declaration as an elected member? There can be four or five days in between those two dates. 232

I have concerns about the five-year cycle. We brought a five-year cycle in for the Assembly, but looking at a five-year cycle for local government—. And it was to fit in with the Westminster Parliament, which was going to have a fixed, five-year term—well, that turned out well, didn't it? [Laughter.] But I think five years is too long. I think four years is about right. I think three years is probably better than five, but I think five years does stretch the elastic of democracy too far, and I really would hope that we'd both turn the Assembly elections, which are not your responsibility, and local authority elections, back to a four-year cycle. Because we don't need to worry about Westminster; they seem to be running on a two-year cycle at the moment. [Laughter.]233

I welcome the proposed provision for principal councils and eligible community councils to have a general power of competence. The only worry I've had, and I've campaigned for the general power of competence for the whole of my political life, is that some English councils in the south of England have turned the general power of competence into an ability to buy up estates and shopping centres all over Britain. And I think there may well need to be some control over that general level of competence—being competent to do anything within your own area, not competent to go and borrow £30 million to go and buy a shopping centre somewhere. I don't think any of us who have argued for a general power of competence in the past ever thought that's what people would use their general power of competence for. 234

Is there a proposal to make it easier for local authorities to remove the three protected officers—the chief finance officer, the monitoring officer and the head of paid service? If I could call it the Caerphilly problem—. Because the difficulty, or the near impossibility, of having those three posts protected is such that, unless something is done, any other local authority who had a chief executive who was not prepared to go would be in exactly the same position as Caerphilly are and may well find themselves in further problems in the future. 235

On behaviour and putting group leaders in charge of behaviour—brilliant idea. The only problem is, as you and I both know, the people who behave the worst tend not to belong to groups. They tend to be individuals, independents of various hues. They are the ones who tend to behave the worst, in my experience of local government and, dare I say it, other places. And, really, have we got an opportunity to bring some sort of action against those, because, if they haven't got a party leader, then who do you complain to?236

And, finally, on electoral systems, I think that's a whole debate in its own right. If I can just say I fundamentally disagree with every single word Dai Lloyd said on it. The STV wastes more votes than any other system. The great election result in a council in Scotland: three seats—topped the poll 1,700, second 1,500, the third person elected 354, because both the two largest parties were frightened to put up two candidates in case they didn't get anybody elected, and the other—. So, we really do need to start discussing this. And I think that—. And also—well, finally, I'll say that I wish Dai Lloyd was right that people vote in party blocks, because my experience in Morriston is that they tended to be very much a pick and mix when they were picking the people to represent them and, thankfully, most of the time they picked me. 

MIKE HEDGES AM WELCOMES NEW PLANS TO INTRODUCE VOTES FOR 16 AND 17 YEAR OLDS AT LOCAL ELECTIONS

MIKE HEDGES AM WELCOMES NEW PLANS TO INTRODUCE VOTES FOR 16 AND 17 YEAR OLDS AT LOCAL ELECTIONS

Local Welsh Labour AM Mike Hedges has welcomed new plans to give 16 and 17 year old residents of Swansea East a vote in future local council elections.



The plans are part of a raft of proposals from the Welsh Labour Government aimed at invigorating local democracy in Wales.



The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill, which is being published today, aims to widen the range of people who can vote and stand for office and make it easier for people to influence the work of those who represent them.



Mike Hedges  AM said:



“As a strong supporter of votes for 16 and 17 year olds, I very much welcome these proposals to give them a say over how their local services are run.”



“These proposals from the Welsh Labour Government mark another important step forward for our democracy in Wales, following legislation to give 16 and 17 year olds the vote in future elections to the Senedd, which is now in its final stage.”



“I look forward to supporting the plans to give 16 and 17 year olds a new voice in our democratic system as they go through the legislative process in the National Assembly.”



The plans to give 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote in council elections are part of the biggest change in the Welsh electoral system for 50 years. Other proposals within the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill include:

• Allowing each council to decide for itself which voting system to use – First Past the Post (FPTP) or Single Transferable Vote (STV); STV is considered to be a system of ‘proportional representation’;
• Making it easier for people to be included on the electoral register, by giving Electoral Registration Officers the power to automatically add people to the register, without the need for them to apply;
• Enabling the piloting of reforms to local government elections after 2022, such as holding elections on different days and having polling stations in different places:
• Local government will move to fixed five-year terms between elections;
• Giving all foreign citizens lawfully living in Wales the opportunity to vote in and stand in local elections, irrespective of their nationality;
• Enabling job sharing in the Council Executive including the post of Leader, and updating provisions to enable councillors to remotely attend council meetings and have periods of family absence;
• Allowing the voluntary merger of principal councils to make sure that, where this route is taken, the process is completed in an orderly fashion and reaps the greatest benefit possible for service users.

-ends-

EMBARGO: 00:01, Monday 18^th November 2019

New law to introduce votes for 16 and 17year olds at local council elections in Wales unveiled

A major new package of reforms to local government in Wales, which includes giving 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote at local elections has been unveiled by the Welsh Government.



The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill, which is due to be introduced before the National Assembly for Wales later today by the Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James, provides for the establishment of a new and reformed legislative framework for local government elections, democracy, performance and governance.



The Bill will invigorate local democracy in Wales, making it easier for people to see, influence and get involved with the work of those who represent them, and widening the range of people who can vote and stand for office.



Proposals to change the law to make it possible for 16 and 17 year olds to vote at local council elections – when the voting age was lowered to 18 during the 1970s.



The Bill will also empower Wales’ 22 principal councils, giving them the tools and powers they have asked for to be ambitious and creative, and to work flexibly to deliver better services for people in Wales.



The Bill will also support councils to work together across geographical and administrative boundaries, keeping accountability with local people.



Introducing the Bill, the Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James said:

“We believe in strong local government. We want it to thrive, we want the people of Wales to feel well-represented and supported by modern public services, and we want the relationship between local government and the Welsh Government to be mature and focused on our shared agenda – delivering better public services for everyone, helping people who need support, when and where they need it most. 

“This Bill is introduced at a time when austerity continues, and relationships and technology are changing the way public services interact with each other, and with the communities they serve. 

“So twenty years on from Devolution, this is a significant Local Government Bill which reflects the journey of devolution and will deliver a major package of reforms, including local government electoral reform.

“It aims to provide local government with new ways to support and serve their communities in these challenging times, while reinvigorating local democracy here in Wales.”

The Bill also introduces powers to:

·         Allow each council to decide for itself which voting system to use – First Past the Post (FPTP) or Single Transferable Vote (STV); STV is considered to be a system of ‘proportional representation’;

·         Make it easier for people to be included on the electoral register, by giving Electoral Registration Officers the power to automatically add people to the register, without the need for them to apply;

·         Enable the piloting of reforms to local government elections after 2022, such as holding elections on different days and having polling stations in different places:

·         Local government will move to fixed five-year terms between elections;

·         Give all foreign citizens lawfully living in Wales the opportunity to vote in and stand in local elections, irrespective of their nationality;

·         Enabling job sharing in the Council Executive including the post of Leader, and updating provisions to enable councillors to remotely attend council meetings and have periods of family absence;

·         Allow the voluntary merger of principal councils to make sure that, where this route is taken, the process is completed in an orderly fashion and reaps the greatest benefit possible for service users.

The Bill has been developed over five years – in support of Ministers’ vision for local government, in collaboration with local government and in response to five public consultation exercises, a draft Bill and on-going partnership working with local government.



ENDS

Mike Hedges AM 90 second statement at Assembly on 200th Birthday of John Humphreys Birth

Mike Hedges AM - This year is the two hundredth anniversary of John Humphrey's birth. He was known as 'God's architect' for the chapels he designed, including Tabernacle in Morriston. The number of chapels he designed or remodelled has been estimated at between 30 and 44, and they were built across mid and south Wales, between Llanidloes, Pentre Rhondda and Carmarthenshire, whilst most were built in Swansea. He also designed four schools, including Terrace Road school in Swansea, which is still open.176

What made John Humphrey's success astounding was he had no architectural qualifications or training. He was a carpenter by trade. His father was almost certainly illiterate. He lived the whole of his adult life in Morriston between Martin Street and Crown Street—a distance of about 100 meters. He designed chapels of all sizes. He is, of course, best known for177

'the largest, grandest and most expensive chapel built in Wales'—178

Anthony Jones's description of Tabernacle, Morriston, in his 1996 definitive book, Welsh Chapels. Like all architects, he had his signature designs, both internal and external, such as thin windows at the front, and the drop of the balcony behind the sedd fawr. But what I really want to talk about is how somebody came from such humble beginnings. He had no qualifications in architecture whatsoever. If he tried to start building today, he'd be stopped immediately by building control. But what he actually did was to produce some great buildings the whole length and breadth of Wales. So, I think it was a tremendous achievement in the nineteenth century

Mike Hedges AM hosts WPD event to celebrate the future of carbon-free energy in Wales

Press Release

Mike Hedges AM hosts WPD event to celebrate the future of carbon-free energy in Wales

12 November 2019 – In Cardiff last week, Mike Hedges, Assembly Member for Swansea East, hosted Ysgogi Cymru – Innovating to Net Zero – a reception by Western Power Distribution (WPD) in the National Assembly for Wales.

Attendees heard how WPD is leading the way towards affordable decarbonisation of the South Wales energy system through harnessing the latest low carbon technologies - playing its part to help achieve Wales’ net zero ambitions. WPD representatives showed Mike and other AMs how it is decarbonising the South Wales energy system, via targeted investments in infrastructure, smarter networks and the implementation of low carbon generation and technologies. Over 26 WPD innovation projects have taken place within South Wales and over £182 million has been invested into the region’s network over the past twelve months.

Mike also met some of the young Welsh people who are building skilled careers as WPD apprentices, joining an over 1,000 strong team keeping the lights on in South Wales. Members of the WPD community team were also in attendance to detail how the organisation is addressing fuel poverty and supporting vulnerable customers within its network area, highlighting WPD’s Priority Services Register.

Over 91,000 Swansea residents are potentially eligible for WPD’s Priority Services Register which provides vulnerable customers with extra support in the event of a power cut. However, only 65.2% of those potentially eligible are currently registered with the service.

Commenting on the event, Mike Hedges said: “It was fantastic to hear how WPD is working to facilitate a net-zero future in Wales and within Swansea. It is clear to see that WPD is taking an innovative approach to delivering affordable, low carbon energy and opportunities in South Wales. I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for the South Wales energy system. I would also urge the residents of Swansea East to sign up to WPD’s priority services register if they qualify. It is important that as many vulnerable residents as possible receive the extra support they are entitled to if a power cut happens.

I hope that people in my Swansea East constituency will sign up to be on the priority register. If people would like more information please contact my office.

Sean Sullivan, WPD’s Network Services Manager for Wales stated: “Whether it is through getting the network electric vehicle ready, connecting renewable sources or developing more flexible networks, WPD is working hard to get Wales to net zero. I was pleased to discuss our vision with assembly members and I look forward to working with stakeholders in the coming years.”

For more information on WPD’s work please visit www.westernpower.co.uk/. WPD’s Priority Services Register is a free service which provides extra support to vulnerable customers in the event of a power cut. For more information on the service ring 0800 096 3080 or email wpdpriorityservices@westernpower.co.uk.

ENDS

Notes to editors

For more information on WPD’s work visit www.westernpower.co.uk/.

WPD’s Priority Services Register is a free service which provides extra support to vulnerable customers in the event of a power cut. For more information on the service ring 0800 096 3080 or email wpdpriorityservices@westernpower.co.uk.

Western Power Distribution (WPD) is the distribution network operator for the Midlands, South West England and South Wales.

It is responsible for delivering electricity to approximately 7.9 million customers in the UK and committed to investing around £1 billion on its network annually.

WPD is not an electricity supply company and does not bill customers in the UK. Its responsibility is to distribute electricity to homes and businesses.

The distribution element makes up around 17% of an average customer’s annual bill which is around £100 or 27p a day.  

In a power cut, call 105 for free 24 hours a day.

MIKE HEDGES AM WELCOMES WLESH GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT TO ADDRESSING CHILD HUNGER IN WALES.

Speaking after First Minister’s question at The Senedd, Mike Hedges said…. ‘It is simply staggering that in 21^st century Wales, children go hungry in school holidays, yet that is the stark reality faced by many families across Wales and within my Swansea Constituency. How would the families supported by my colleague Carolyn Harris have managed if she had not worked so hard to provide lunches for children last summer? Parents would have been going hungry to feed their children; is this how we want children to grow up in Wales?

Dealing with the problem of child poverty and ensuring that every child has the best start in life must be the priority of the Welsh Government and I am pleased with the ongoing commitment to dealing with child poverty and childhood hunger outlined by the First Minister today. I would like him to go further however  and commit to funding breakfast clubs within the school holidays so that children get 2 good meals a day during the school holidays.’

Mike Hedges AM - Will the First Minister make a statement on efforts to reduce child poverty? OAQ54648

Mark Drakeford AM 14:21:26

First Minister of Wales

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I thank Mike Hedges for that. The Welsh Government’s efforts to reduce child poverty focus on those practical mitigating measures that lie in our hands and which leave money in the pockets of families who most need it.108

Mike Hedges AM 14:21:40

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Thank you for that answer, First Minister. Every summer, children go hungry. many parents lose 10 free meals per child per week when schools are closed. I would commend the work of my colleague Carolyn Harris, who fed well over 5,000 children during the summer in Swansea East, but that certainly was not getting to all those who were losing out on the free food. Will the First Minister cost a continuation of free school breakfasts across the summer holiday, and then look to fund it? This would be probably the best way of dealing with child poverty in Wales. 109

Mark Drakeford AM 14:22:12

First Minister of Wales

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I thank Mike Hedges for that very important question. It's a sobering fact, Llywydd, that we can hear a sentence in this Assembly that says 'every summer children go hungry here in Wales'. We surely ought not just to be willing to hear that as though it were a matter of course and something that we shouldn't do something about. Of course, I commend the work of Carolyn Harris in Swansea, which gained a lot of interest and attention over the summer of this year.110

Llywydd, there are over 61,000 children in Wales who are receiving a free breakfast in our primary schools at the census date at the start of this year. The funding has long gone into the revenue support grant, as we would expect it to do. In this Assembly term, our focus as a Government has been on the school holiday enrichment programme, SHEP. We funded it to the tune of £0.5 million in the first two years of this Assembly term. That rose to £900,000 in this financial year, and, when money is so scarce, it really is an indication of the priority that this Government puts on dealing with the practical impact of poverty in the lives of those children who need our help the most. The SHEP programme provides a meal for children, but much more than a meal. It involves parents in the preparation of that meal. It involves a focus on nutritional standards. It provides physical activity for children as part of the programme. It deals with holiday learning loss. It's been now rolled out to 21 of the 22 local authorities across Wales, and that additional funding—£100,000 of that has gone to third sector organisations, and some of that for the first time will be used to relieve holiday hunger during the recent October half term.111

So, I absolutely agree with the points that Mike Hedges has made about the importance of this subject, and want to celebrate something of the achievements of those organisations who are working, with our support, to make such a difference in the lives of children. 

SWANSEA EAST RESIDENTS URGED TO CHECK ELIGIBILITY FOR COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION

SWANSEA EAST RESIDENTS URGED TO CHECK ELIGIBILITY FOR

council tax reduction

Local Labour AM Mike Hedges is urging people across Swansea East to take a few moments out of their day to check if they are eligible for help with their council tax bill.



The Welsh Labour Government’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme provides support to a range of people in Wales including low-income households, students, people who are severely mentally impaired and disabled people.



Swansea East AM said:



“The Welsh Labour Government has made sure that council tax reductions are in place for those who need this help the most.” 



“Vulnerable people across Wales are struggling with the effects of the UK Government’s welfare reforms and the Council Tax Reduction Scheme can offer valuable support for many of these households. I want to see more eligible people in Swansea East accessing the help they are entitled to.”



“I would strongly urge anyone who thinks they might be eligible for a council tax reduction to call Swansea City Council  on 01792 635382 or visit the Welsh Government’s online eligibility check at: https://gov.wales/council-tax-discounts-and-reduction .”



“The check only takes a few minutes, but could make a real difference to those who are struggling to make ends meet.” 



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Are you eligible for a council tax reduction?

Finance Minister Rebecca Evans has today [Tuesday 5 November] launched the next phase of an awareness campaign, which aims to help everyone across Wales understand if they are entitled to support with paying their council tax bill.



Our Council Tax Help webpages and social media campaign have already helped over 60,000 people access the vital information they need on the many forms of council tax support available, since the launch in 2018.



The next phase of the campaign will specifically target low-income households, and those receiving or migrating to Universal Credit, by raising awareness of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme in Wales.



Finance Minister Rebecca Evans said:



“We know that the most vulnerable households across Wales are struggling to cope due to the UK government’s approach to welfare reform. However, despite this there has been a gradual decline in the take-up of our Council Tax Reduction Scheme.



“So today I am pleased to announce that we are extending our efforts to ensure that those people who are struggling to make ends meet are aware of the support that they could be entitled to.”



This is one of a number of measures that the Welsh Government is taking to improve local taxes and the wider local government finance framework so that we can respond to the needs of local services during these challenging times.



Our phased programme of short, medium and long term reforms is wide-ranging and has been in place since 2017. A report out today highlights some of the progress we’ve made this year. This includes:

• Removing the threat of imprisonment for non-payment of council tax in Wales from 1 April 2019 and continuing to work with local authorities to improve council tax collection and debt management
• Standardising, for the first time, how all local authorities treat vulnerable and struggling households through a new Council Tax Protocol
• Delivering a new exemption for care leavers and standardising the application process for people with a severe mental impairment who need to apply for a discount or exemption
• Providing a total of £230m of relief to support businesses with rates bills
• Exploring more fundamental reforms for the next term and beyond, working with expert institutions to look at ideas such as local taxes based on land value, more progressive council tax or local taxes based on income.

MIKE HEDGES AM URGES PEOPLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO CONSULTATION ON (DRAFT) NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

MIKE HEDGES AM URGES PEOPLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO CONSULTATION ON (DRAFT) NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK



Speaking from his Swansea East office, Mike Hedges AM said.. ‘ I am aware of the controversy surrounding large green energy projects. The consultation on the National Development Framework allows individuals, communities and community groups to have a say on the sort of project that gets priority in the next 20 years. I would urge everyone to look at the Draft plan and if you are in an area affected, make your views known!



Consultation details can be accessed on –



https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/consultations/2019-10/draft-national-development-framework-consultation-document.pdf

Notes

The Welsh landscape could be destroyed if more wind farms are built, campaigners have warned.

They accept the need for renewable energy but are concerned about the impact on tourism in some areas.

A draft National Development Framework (NDF) identifies where big projects should go over the next 20 years.

It has highlighted 14 "priority areas" for wind and solar energy but the Welsh Government said it would not comment while a consultation was ongoing.

The NDF, which also looks at projects such as housing and transport, will be the highest tier of development plan in Wales.

All other plans - including council local development plans - would have to conform with the NDF.

MIKE HEDGES AM URGES WOMENT TO TAKE UP CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING AS NEW FIGURES SHOW 25% OF WOMEN IN WALES DO NOT ATTEND SCREENING.

MIKE HEDGES AM URGES WOMENT TO TAKE UP CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING AS NEW FIGURES SHOW 25% OF WOMEN IN WALES DO NOT ATTEND SCREENING.



Speaking from his Office in Swansea, Mike Hedges AM said…. ‘These new figures are quite shocking; all of the experts agree that early detection significantly increases the chances of successful treatment. Cervical screening is not a pleasant procedure but it can offer indications of cell changes at a very early stage which if dealt with then can prevent more serious problems developing. A small amount of discomfort is surely worth the chance of dealing with this condition at the earliest stage possible.

I would urge women to take advantage of the screening services available and beat this illness!’

Today, the latest annual cervical screening coverage has been released showing that, across Wales, screening uptake has fallen and is now at 73.2%. This means over one in four women are not attending.



The data showed:

• Variation between health boards, ranging from 73.1% in Hywel Dda University Health Board to 78.0% in Powys Teaching Health Board.
• The age group with the lowest uptake was 25-29 year olds at 67.2%
• The highest was amongst 50-54 year olds at 78.5%.

You can see a breakdown of the statistics by age and Health Board here.