Mike Hedges MS welcomes Welsh Labour Government’s budget to protect public services and boost Wales’ economy

 Mike Hedges MS welcomes Welsh Labour Government’s budget to protect public services and boost Wales’ economy

 

Mike Hedges MS has welcomed the unveiling of the Welsh Labour Government’s Final Budget which includes plans to protect public services and the Welsh economy, providing timely support to protect lives and livelihoods in the months ahead.

 

Building on the £320m reconstruction package that was announced last October, the Welsh Labour Government’s Budget delivers a further injection of £224.5m capital funding to support reconstruction efforts and stimulate demand and jobs.

 

This investment includes:

·       An additional £147m to ramp up housing programmes. 

·       And an extra £30m to accelerate the ambitious 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme, helping to support economic growth, sustainable jobs and training opportunities across the sector.

 

The new package also boosts the significant investment dedicated to flood and coastal defence in this Senedd term. An extra £8m will be invested to help local authorities and Natural Resources Wales repair the damage caused by flood events in December and January and protect communities in Swansea East that are at risk of flooding.

 

In recognition of the benefits of active travel for accessing employment, education and key services, the Welsh Labour Government is allocating an additional £20m for new schemes and infrastructure. This takes total planned 2021-22 investment for active travel in Wales to around £75m.

 

The Final Budget also confirms more than £630m to support the NHS and local government over the next six months as they continue to respond to the pandemic.

 

Member of the Senedd for Swansea East, Mike Hedges  said:

 

“The Budget published by our Welsh Labour Government today will help to inject investment, jobs and demand into our economy. And it provides the NHS and local government with the certainty they need as they respond to the challenges of the year ahead.

 

“The Welsh Labour Government knows that local businesses, which have been hit hardest by the Coronavirus pandemic, need certainty too. I’m glad that the Welsh Government has responded by providing the most generous package of business support anywhere in the UK, allocating more funding than they received as a share of the package in England.

 

“The measures outlined today protect our vital public services and our economy, build a greener future for us all and create change for a more equal Wales – a vision that I wholeheartedly support.”

 

The Final Budget also sets aside £200m in reserves for additional business support next year to respond to the evolving challenges of the pandemic.

 

ENDS

 

Notes to editors:

1.    The Welsh Government’s final Budget 2021-22 will be published here along with the associated documents.

 

 

Mike Hedges MS welcomes Welsh Labour Government ‘We’re in Your Corner’ campaign

 Mike Hedges MS welcomes Welsh Labour Government ‘We’re in Your Corner’ campaign

 

Member of the Senedd for Swansea East, Mike Hedges,  is encouraging local businesses to take advantage of the support available to them, as the Welsh Labour Government launches its new campaign to promote the important support available to help them deal with the continued pressures of Coronavirus and plan for a brighter future.

 

The ‘We’re in Your Corner’ campaign will encourage firms the length and breadth of Wales to take advantage of the skills and employment advice and guidance that is on offer through the Skills Gateway for Business online portal.

 

A range of support and advice is available, including developing the capabilities of staff and recruitment and training programmes. This will help businesses move forward through the coronavirus pandemic and thrive in the future.

 

Welsh Labour’s Economy Minister, Ken Skates said the ‘We’re in Your Corner’ campaign is crucial in supporting the Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience and Reconstruction Mission which was launched earlier this week. It aims to reconstruct the Welsh economy so that it is more prosperous, fair and green than ever before.

 

The Welsh Government’s Covid Commitment, which has been supported by a £40m funding boost during this financial year, is a key part of the support offer to help anyone wanting to get into work, looking to retrain, or start their own business.

 

Welcoming the ‘We’re in Your Corner’ campaign, Member of the Senedd for Swansea East, Mike Hedges, said:

 

“The last year has placed incredible pressure on constituents and businesses in Swansea East.  We’re very lucky in Wales that we’ve got a Welsh Labour Government that has responded at pace to protect thousands of businesses and jobs, with a package of financial support worth more than £2bn – the most generous offer of support anywhere in the United Kingdom.

 

“I’m firmly in the corner of businesses, and this campaign will be crucial in ensuring businesses across Swansea East are aware of the support that is available to help meet the challenges and opportunities that today and tomorrow present.”

 

“I’m glad that our Welsh Labour Government will continue to do all it can to back businesses and people as we all continue to navigate these difficult and uncertain times.”

 

Businesses can find out more about the programmes on offer by calling Skills Gateway for Business on 0300 060 3000 or by visiting https://businesswales.gov.wales/skillsgateway/. 

 

ENDS

 

 

 

Mike Hedges welcomes Senedd passing a motion calling for a Sign Language Law.

 

Speaking from his Morriston Office, local MS, Mike Hedges said…. ‘this is one of my proudest days as a Senedd member; I have been involved with the deaf community for many years through my sister. I know the isolation and lonliness faced by deaf people and how difficult it can be for them to do things which most of us take for granted such as get jobs. 

 

If people could be encouraged to learn British sign language (BSL) and for there to be recognised qualifications such as GCSE, it would be a big step forward for the Deaf community. We need to break down the barriers faced by deaf people and enable them to join main stream society enjoying so many of the things which we take for granted. 

 

Passing this motion is a big step forward, even if time is going to mean it has no chance of becoming legislation. I therefore hope that after the Senedd Elections in May, the new Government will take this motion on board and come forward with a Welsh Sign Language Bill which will provide a legislative frame work as I called for during my speech. 

 

Today, the Senedd can be proud – we spoke for a group of disabled and excluded people who cannot speak for themselves. The New Senedd needs to pick up the challenge from this motion and bring forward a Sign Language Bill as  matter of urgency.’

 

 

 

 

Speech to Senedd 24 February 2020

 

First of all, can I put on the record that my sister is profoundly deaf and uses sign language? I will be supporting the Member's legislative proposal today, but we're so close to dissolution it is very unlikely to succeed in becoming law before we dissolve. But that's no reason not to support it. In 2018, the Petitions Committee produced four recommendations, all which I agreed with. If you want to know what it's like being deaf, put the television on, watch a drama and turn the sound off, because that's the life they live. That is what watching television is like for people who are deaf. 

 

272

The Welsh Government should support British Sign Language as a minority language, and encourage local authorities to recognise it as the first language of very many deaf people. Because you've got to remember that we have three first languages in Wales, and British Sign Language is one of them. And before somebody says, 'What about Welsh sign language?', because of the way sign language exists, it's much more akin to Japanese and Chinese and other languages that are based on pictures and signs, as opposed to vocabulary. 273

 

 

The Welsh Government should give consideration to the development of a national charter for the delivery of services and resources, including the education of deaf children and young people. We need deaf people to be educated through sign language, because that's what they understand. We believe—and this what the Petitions Committee said—that a charter underpinned by the Equality Act 2010 would enable local authorities to plan and resource support, with a nationally recognised framework to ensure consistent arrangements throughout Wales—we haven't got consistency of provision; some areas are better than others—and the importance of sign language to actually get information across. The Petitions Committee also welcomed that the Welsh Government has indicated British Sign Language is actually being considered in the new curriculum. It needs to be part of the curriculum, not only for deaf children, but for children who aren't deaf, so that they can speak and correspond with children who are deaf.274

 

 

A lot of basic sign language can be learnt relatively quickly, like a lot of most languages can be learnt very quickly. It gets much more difficult with time, but there are probably over 50 or 60 signs that would get you around quite well. So, it's really important. And, saying that, we should have a GCSE in sign language. We've got nowhere with that—'It's because there are not many applicants or potential applicants.' I've looked through some subjects the WJEC supports. A number of them have under 100 people entering them each year. So, that is no excuse. This just demands, and I really am pushing for this, somebody to take this on and show some leadership and aim of doing something on behalf of the deaf community in Wales. 275

 

 

We need as a minimum to introduce a minimum standard of BSL qualification for learning assistants supporting deaf children and young people. There isn't any. I could work as a learning assistant in a school with deaf children because I know a small amount of sign language. I don't think I'd be suitable. I'm sure you don't think I'd be suitable either. 276

 

 

Finally, we've had petitions, we've had debates, before, but I have come, unfortunately, around to the conclusion that the only way we're going to get action is by legislation. So, I will be supporting this legislative proposal, even though I'm doubtful that we will get it done before we break in March.  

 

Mike Hedges MS welcomes news that Health Minister, Vaughan Gething, has today announced expanded testing and faster vaccine delivery to help Wales-reopen safely.

 Mike Hedges MS welcomes news that Health Minister, Vaughan Gething, has today announced expanded testing and faster vaccine delivery to help Wales-reopen safely.

 

Speaking from his Morriston Office, local Swansea East MS said … ‘ I welcome the Minister’s announcement to extend testing and faster vaccine delivery. We are all feeling the strain of living under restrictions for long periods of time and we are anxious to meet up with families and loved ones again. The plans announced by the Welsh Government today speed up this process and offers clear steps to achieving this cherished goal while safeguarding the progress we have already made. 

 

I know that it is tough for people but I would urge people to hang on in there and follow the guidelines so we may make progress to our goal of beating this virus. 

 

I would like to thank our key workers for the work they do keeping us safe from the virus – your work and sacrifice during the pandemic will not be forgotten’

 

 

 

 

Mr Gethin confirmed Wales will aim to offer the vaccine to all eligible adults by 31 July and will publish an update to the national vaccination strategy on Friday.

Workplace and community testing will also be expanded.

The scheme for workplaces to carry out testing and set up their own test sites is now being extended to public and private organisations with more than 50 employees.

Mr Gething said: “Our vaccine and testing programmes are key to safely re-opening up our society and economy.

Our vaccine programme continues at pace and on Friday I’m publishing a revised vaccine strategy with detail on how we will, subject to supply, offer every eligible adult in Wales the first dose of the vaccine by the end of July.

Workplaces with more than 50 employees will now be eligible for support to regularly test their workforce, helping reduce the spread of the virus and allow them to operate safely.

And from next week targeted community testing will begin in parts of Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf. This will help find those who show no symptoms of coronavirus.

We have already set out our revised plans for the careful and cautious re-opening of Wales’ society and economy. The measures announced today will play an important part in achieving that as safely and quickly as possible.”

The revised vaccine strategy will provide more details on current and forthcoming priorities, including – subject to vaccine supply – the bringing forward of target dates for key milestones

The support available to workplaces in Wales to introduce a testing scheme includes the provision of rapid lateral flow devices, training, access to an online testing portal and clinical standard operating procedures and guidelines.

The community testing programme will use Lateral Flow Devices. Everyone who attends will be given a test using the devices, which can turnaround results within 20 -30 minutes. Anyone who tests positive via a LFD test will be asked to return home so they can self-isolate immediately and arrangements will be made for a follow-up PCR test.

Although community testing will initially be available in three local authorities, further discussions are taking place with partners in North Wales and it could be rolled-out more widely based on local circumstance and need identified.

ENDS

 

Notes to editors: 

The workplace testing framework setting out the criteria and support available has been published here -  https://gov.wales/covid-19-workplace-testing-framework

 

 

 

 

Free school meals

 

Free school meals

Thank you, Presiding Officer,

I am pleased that this issue is being debated today.

I have previously asked for a Welsh Government statement or debate on this issue as children going hungry or relying on foodbanks is not what I and I believe most members want to see

I have also submitted many written questions on free school meals

For many children, the free school meal is their major meal of the day

To repeat something, I have said many times in the chamber

During school holidays

Parents must provide an additional 10 meals per child a week during school holidays

That is why I have continually asked for and now welcome the continued provision of free school meals during the school holidays at Christmas and Easter

Will the Government confirm that it will be provided at half term as well?

I am calling on the Government to budget for in 2021/22 free school meals across all the school holidays including half term holidays.

I am not sure all members understand poverty, some of us understand it from personal experience.

To us it is a lived experience not an abstract debating point

It is real

It affected us and people we grew up with and went to school with

To those of us who come from a certain background know it as school dinners.

The reason we know it as school dinners is because it is the main meal of the day, it is followed by tea.

It keeps many children adequately fed.

That is why I am so pleased it will be provided across the next holidays.

When I was in school pupils would not attend lessons but come into school to be fed.

If you want to know someone’s background, ask them when dinner is midday or evening.

I support the first part of the motion Calls on the Welsh Government to immediately amend the eligibility criteria for free school meals so that any child in any family receiving universal credit or equivalent benefit and any child in a family with no recourse to public funds is eligible

Expanding eligibility would help struggling families to cope, improve educational outcomes and help tackle in-work poverty.

Over half of children in Wales who live below the UK poverty line are not entitled to free school meals. Of the 129,000 school-age children living below the poverty line in Wales, over 70,000 are not eligible for free school meals, mainly because their parents are in low-paid jobs which take them over the eligibility threshold.

In addition, nearly 6,000 children in Wales are not normally eligible for free school meals because their families have no recourse to public funds; many of these children live in deep, long-term poverty and are in urgent need of support.

The Welsh Government need to urgently address this for next year’s budget.

Do Plaid Cymru really believe that the provision of free school meals to every child is a good use of limited resources

Is it costed?

Will it appear in Plaid Cymru’s proposed budget for April 2021?

What is the estimated cost?

Capacity is a big issue

If the school hall is used for meals and teaching such as PE in primary schools

Kitchen capacity

Serving capacity

Organising several sittings based upon the capacity of the hall

Timings of the sittings

There are schools that now have two sittings

How would three or four be organised

On universal provision

Great headline

Ill thought out

We need to expand the provision of free school meals to all children in need

We need to commit to expanding the provision

We need to commit to continuing it through the holidays

This will improve education attainment

How is it to be funded

Out of the economy and transport portfolio

As I keep on saying higher educational attainment is the best economic development tool

Far better than bribing companies to bring branch factories to Wales which then leave

Ensuring children are well fed must be a government priority

 

                                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike Hedges MS MS says Keep Electrically Safe this Christmas! #ChristmasSafe

 

Mike Hedges MS MS says Keep Electrically Safe this Christmas! #ChristmasSafe

 

During the busy festive season we decorate the house with bright lights, cook big meals and enjoy new electrical gadgets, both Christmas gifts and sale bargains.

 

Mike Hedges MS has today reminded constituents in Swansea East about the need to ensure electrical safety at Christmas and throughout the rest of the year too.

 

Mike Hedges MS said “I back Electrical Safety First’s top tips this year for keeping my constituents safe when they are using electricity across the Christmas period. Even though we should think electrical safety throughout the year, we need to be extra careful at Christmas as it is there is often so much going on, it’s easy to get distracted.”

 

Electrical Safety First has put together some simple tips to help keep you safe:

 

·         Even Christmas lights need a break – switch them off when you’re not there to enjoy them.

 

·         Don’t get distracted when you’re cooking Christmas dinner – with half of house fires starting in the kitchen, it’s more than the turkey that’s at risk of burning.

 

·         Don’t overload sockets and try to avoid the use of extension leads or adaptors.

 

·         If you’ve got a new electrical gadget for Christmas that needs charging, don’t rely on a cheap, unbranded charger or leave it charging unattended.

 

·         Make sure you buy your presents and your sale bargains from retailers you trust – remember, if that bargain looks too good to be true, then it probably is!

 

 

To find out more about staying safe during the festive season, visit:  www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/Christmas

 

 

 

Mike Hedges welcomes New report on the integration of EU citizens living in Wales launches on International Human Rights Day

 

Mike Hedges welcomes New report on the integration of EU citizens living in Wales launches on International Human Rights Day

Speaking from his Morriston Office, local MS, Mike Hedges said… ‘ I welcome this Report on how European Citizens living in Wales are integrating in to Welsh Life. People who come to live in our Communities should be made welcome and supported to make a life in Swansea and Wales. European Citizens now live in almost every community in Swansea East and as I visit different groups in the Community, I see how much they contribute to local communities; I have even met them at local Welsh Classes.

 

People who contribute to our communities should be welcomed and encouraged. I hope that European Citizens living in Swansea today, will continue to live in Swansea after Brexit and make long and happy lives here.’

 

 

Every 10th December, UN International Human Rights Day celebrates the day on which the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

This recognises the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, language, political or other opinion, place of origin, birth or other status.

This year’s theme focuses on the need to build back better after the Covid-19 pandemic, by putting human rights at the centre of recovery.

The Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt, said:

“Over recent weeks, there has been widespread coverage of the positive news regarding the development of a number of Covid-19 vaccines. However, the pandemic is not over and we must prepare for a potentially difficult winter to come.

“We must also begin to look beyond the pandemic to remedy some of the inequality that we know exists in our society and which has been further exposed in recent months.

“We want to use this global crisis as a moment for fundamental change in Wales so we can build back better and ensure that our future is fairer, more inclusive and more sustainable than our past.”

The Welsh Government is working hard to support community cohesion in Welsh communities after the UK’s exit from the EU, and has committed to develop policies and services that help migrants to settle into their Welsh communities.

The ‘EU citizens living in Wales: Community integration, equality of opportunity and equality of outcome’ report, carried out on behalf of the Welsh Government and published today, looks at ways in which citizens can be supported to continue to make Wales their home.

This report forms part of the Welsh Government’s EU Citizens Rights (EUCR) project to support the approximately 80,000 EU citizens living in Wales. It will help to make sure they have access to appropriate advice services, are protected from exploitation and exclusion, and are encouraged to continue living in Wales and fulfil their potential.

To continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021, the Home Office launched the EU Settlement Scheme under which EU citizens apply to obtain settlement status, which allows them to retain their rights.

Jane Hutt continued:

“We’ve always been clear that EU citizens who have made their home in Wales are welcome here. This is your home, you contribute to your communities, and we want you to stay.

“If you think you might need to apply for EU Settled Status, or know someone else who might, there is advice and support available to help. We want you to continue to make Wales your home.

“Welsh Government will continue to work tirelessly to tackle inequalities, poverty, and structural discrimination, and to support the human rights of everyone who chooses to live in Wales.”

ENDS

 

Notes to editors: 

• Advice for EU citizens in Wales can be viewed here - https://gov.wales/preparing-wales/eu-citizens
• The full ‘EU citizens living in Wales: Community integration, equality of opportunity and equality of outcome’ project report can be viewed here - https://gov.wales/eu-citizens-living-wales-community-integration-equality-opportunity-and-equality-outcome
• Recommendations in the report include:
• Help EU citizens who settle in Wales to feel welcome: We recommend the Welsh Government to run a welcome campaign.
• Better access to information: The Welsh Government should consider building an online portal providing i) a brief overview of and ii) links to official websites on all aspects of integration for EU citizens.
• Increased support and a more active role for organisations working to improve integration: There are a number of organisations operating in Wales with the aim to support people from the EU settling in Wales, such as Settled and Citizens Advice. Funding support could help them to offer information and support to encourage inclusion and social cohesion within these communities.
• Labour market access: Information should be provided to EU citizens, especially those from EU-8 and EU-2 countries, on how their qualifications can be recognised in Wales
• Improving language skills: Given that knowledge of the English language is critical for integration into the community, additional provision of English lessons would be beneficial
• Community cohesion is one of the goals of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. The Act sets out seven goals which public bodies should work towards to improve quality of life and well-being of people living in Wales. It is the first Act worldwide that establishes well-being of people as a governmental duty.
• Progress towards achieving well-being goals is monitored using national indicators. Examples of the indicators used to measure community cohesion are: the feeling of belonging to the local area; whether and how people from different backgrounds interact and respect each other; whether people feel safe in their neighbourhood or at home; whether they have access to public services; and whether they believe they can affect decision making at the local level.