Mike Hedges welcomes news that a developer has been found guilty of causing or permitting the unlawful felling of an ancient redwood tree.

Mike Hedges welcomes news that a developer has been found guilty of causing or permitting the unlawful felling of an ancient redwood tree.

Speaking from his Swansea East Office, AM Mike Hedges said…… ‘I am pleased with the outcome of this trial and congratulate Swansea Council on their decision to prosecute the people involved. Developers should know that they can’t flout the law and suffer no consequences when they do so, although it is surprising how often they think the law doesn’t apply to them! Our natural environment is one of our most precious assets and must be protected at all costs. I hope that other local authorities will take similar robust action when faced with similar behaviour from developers.’

Enzo's Homes director Fiorenzo Sauro, 49, had denied cutting down 70 protected trees, including the 200-year-old redwood, near a housing development in Swansea last year.

But district judge Neale Thomas found both Sauro and the firm guilty of contravening a tree preservation order.

Contractor Arwyn Morgan had already admitted the same charge on Monday.

Both Sauro, and Morgan, who were convicted at Swansea Magistrates' Court, will be sentenced next month.

Mike Hedges welcomes A Level success by local students

Mike Hedges welcomes A Level success by local students



Speaking after visiting Bryn Tawe, Bishop Vaughan and Morriston schools to meet pupils receiving their A level results, Mike Hedges AM said.. I am thrilled for the pupils who have received their results this morning and who have done well. If they are embarking on courses of further education I wish them every success for the future and urge them to make the best of these opportunities, it really is the chance of a life time.



For those who have not achieved their results they were hoping for, I would say…. Don’t panic! Seek advice and see what other options are available. There may be other courses available through the clearing system or there may be opportunities for resitting your exams – many people do less well than hoped for go on to have fantastic careers.



I was particularly thrilled to visit Bishop Vaughan where they had their best results ever.. well done to Emma and her Team!

Summer 2019 A-Level results

The main figures from today’s provisional results show:

§  Attainment of top grades has increased. A*-A passes rose from 26.3% in 2018 to 27%, a historic high.

§  A* passes are now at 9.1%, an historic high.

§  Results remained stable at A*-C, with the overall pass rate of 76.3% still at the highest level since 2009.

§  Amongst the core subjects, Maths has the highest pass rate at A*-A, with 45.2% achieving those grades.

§  An increase in the number of Science entries and more achieving A*-C grades in Biology (+1.1% points), Chemistry (+2.2% points) and Physics (+1.1% points).

§  Results are stable at AS Level, with 20.3% awarded an A grade and 90.0% achieving grades A-E.

§  Welsh Baccalaureate students also performed well. For the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate, equivalent in size and demand to an A level, 4.6% of students achieved an A* grade, a significant rise from 1.6% in 2017.

The Scottish and Welsh governments have expressed fears over the future of the Erasmus student exchange programme in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

MIKE HEDGES EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT LACK OF CLARITY ABOUT FUTURE OF ERASMUS STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAMME.



Speaking from his assembly office in Morriston, The Swansea East AM said… ‘The lack of clarity about this scheme concerns me greatly. I have met many students who have used this scheme to study abroad and who have greatly enhanced their education experience through doing so. Learning a language ought to be central to people’s education given that we live in an increasingly interdependent world, and we ought to be encouraging as many people as possible to take advantage of chances to study abroad. I hope that the UK Government responds positively to the letter sent by the Education Ministers.’

The Scottish and Welsh governments have expressed fears over the future of the Erasmus student exchange programme in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Both administrations have jointly written to the UK education secretary to express their concerns.

The EU programme helps students study in other countries.

The UK government has guaranteed payments for successful applicants and said it is "exploring participation" in a successor scheme. The current scheme however cannot accept applicants for courses beyond 2020, in part because of Brexit uncertainties.

Erasmus is an EU-funded programme which enables students to either study part of their degree or undertake a work placement abroad.

About 53% of UK university students who learn abroad do so through the initiative.

Some countries which are not in the EU - including Iceland, Norway and Serbia - also take part.

About 2.2 million fewer single-use cups were used by public bodies in Wales in the last year - a drop of nearly 19%.

Mike Hedges AM Welcomes news that the use of single use cups has dropped by around 20%



Speaking from his Swansea East office, Mike Hedges AM said… ‘This is very good news indeed; we know that single use cups take hundreds of years to degrade if buried in the ground and are very difficult to recycle – best thing is not to use them in the first place! That is why it is good news that public bodies in Wales are turning away from single use cups. I hope that the number of public bodies who are no longer using single use cups continue to increase year on year until no public bodies in Wales are using single cups.’

About 2.2 million fewer single-use cups were used by public bodies in Wales in the last year - a drop of nearly 19%.

Hospitals, emergency services, councils and government organisations have said they are trying to reduce the amount of waste produced by the cups.

Eight out of the 43 bodies asked said they did not buy single-use cups in 2018-19, and seven of those have also withdrawn plastic straws and cutlery.

Campaigners welcomed the fall but said 9.6 million cups ordered was too many.

The details, given to BBC Wales following a Freedom of Information request, also showed a £71,000 fall in the amount spent on single-use cups between 2017-18 and 2018-19.

Mike Hedges welcomes announcement that almost £2.5 million approved to help Welsh businesses cope with Brexit challenges.

Mike Hedges welcomes announcement that almost £2.5 million approved to help Welsh businesses cope with Brexit challenges.

Speaking from his Swansea East Office, Mike Hedges AM said… ‘It is clear that business are going to need a lot of support as we transition towards Brexit. I am pleased the Welsh Labour Government is providing as much support as it can. The Brexit Business Resilience Programme is proving to be a vital source of support for the Business Community in Wales.

If people are looking for support for their business as we approach the date of leaving the EU ( October 31^st) please contact Business Wales via the link below.’

Almost £2.5 million has been approved to help Welsh businesses adjust to the challenges of Brexit since the Welsh Government’s Brexit Business Resilience Programme was launched last year, Economy Minister Ken Skates has announced.

A total of 51 eligible businesses have been approved for funding of between £10,000 and £100,000 as part of the Brexit Business Resilience Grant Fund, so they can invest in overcoming immediate challenges related to Brexit.

The Brexit Business Resilience Grant Fund is currently fully committed, but work is under way to make more funding available.

To find out more about the support available through the Brexit Business Resilience Programme visit Business Wales

MIKE HEDGES VISTS BRITISH LUNG FOUNDATION COPD MANAGEMENT COURSE AT PENLAN LEISURE CENTRE.

MIKE HEDGES VISTS BRITISH LUNG FOUNDATION COPD MANAGEMENT COURSE AT PENLAN LEISURE CENTRE.



Speaking after his visit, Swansea East AM Mike Hedges said… ‘It was great to visit this programme this week and meet patients whose lives will be eased through their attendance at this course. COPD is a serious and debilitating condition which can be managed effectively so that sufferers can learn to recognise, live with and manage their symptoms. I was pleased to meet with Staff from the British Lung Foundation who are running this course; it is a big plus for people with the condition to have such expertise to call upon for information.



I hope they are able to access funding to run this course in other locations’



The free 7 week programme is currently funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and has proven results, not only educating those with COPD to help better manage their condition but also in reducing anxiety and confusion around their condition.



Through education and interactive exercise sessions, those who have COPD will less likely visit their GP for further information and will more likely better manage their condition reducing admissions.



Currently, a 7 week course is running at Penlan Leisure Centre and it is hoped that this will be rolled out subject to funding to other areas across the city.

ike Hedges welcomes new European collaborative project launched to help small and medium sized food and drink companies innovate in the healthy food sector.

Mike Hedges welcomes new European collaborative project launched to help small and medium sized food and drink companies innovate in the healthy food sector.

Speaking from his Swansea East Constituency, Mike Hedges AM said… This is the sort of new fund which we need to support our small to medium firms; these are the backbone of the agro-food economy and could be a real growth sector for Wales with the right support. I urge companies to watch for details of the application processes.’

Small and medium sized Welsh food and drink businesses are set to benefit from a €1.2 million international project, funded through the Interreg Atlantic Area programme, to help broaden their knowledge and capacity to supply the increased demand for innovative healthy food.

The Atlantic Healthy Food EcoSystem (AFHES) project, co-funded by the Welsh Government and delivered by BIC Innovation in Wales, brings together partners from France, Spain, Portugal, Ireland and Northern Ireland, including the regions of Galicia, Brittany and the Basque Country. 

The programme aims to improve the competitiveness of Welsh food and drink companies within the Atlantic Area region by giving them the skills and networking opportunities they need to develop new products and access new markets, including through training, mentoring and coaching support.

The network of companies and organisations across the new international partnership will also share knowledge, expertise and best practice to address key market requirements.

Lesley Griffiths, the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, said: 

The last few years have seen a growing demand for innovative healthy food.  We want to help small and medium sized businesses to tap into these new opportunities and this new international cross border project will help do just that.

This EU funded programme, supported by Welsh Government, will help increase the competitiveness of our SMEs and drive sales in this emerging sector, whilst strengthening our international engagement with key regions in Europe, which are so important at this time.