MIKE HEDGES MS QUESTIONS WELSH GOVERNMENT MINISTER ON RESEARCH AT WELSH UNIVERSITIES.

 MIKE HEDGES MS QUESTIONS WELSH GOVERNMENT MINISTER ON RESEARCH AT WELSH UNIVERSITIES.  

 

Speaking from his Senedd office, local Swansea East MS Mike Hedges said… ‘I welcome the announcement regarding Investment Zones, but am naturally disappointed that there is not a third zone covering the Swansea City Deal Area. However, we can still focus on Universities and use them as a focus for driving innovation and investment as has been done in European Cities like Aarhus in Sweden.  

 

We have recently seen developments in the SA1 area of Swansea which show that there can be a achieved between Universities and private sector firms to drive regeneration of our communities.’ 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike Hedges MS16:14:12 

 

I very much welcome the statement today. It is positive that the current policy is focused on a small number of high-potential clusters linked to strong research capabilities. The danger always is that you end up pepper potting and nothing ever comes out of it.249 

The Minister's right—there are areas where our comparative strength can boost wider productivity and economic growth. Industries capable of substantial growth include ICT, life sciences, finance and professional services, and these are not geographically constrained. If we aim to succeed in these sectors we need to learn from western Europe and north America and the cities and regions within those that are being hugely successful in those areas.250 

As someone representing part of the Swansea Bay city region, I'm disappointed that the intention is only two zones—one in south-east Wales and one in north Wales. But, that is what it is. Does the Minister agree that it is important to use universities in Wales as centres to drive innovation and investment, with universities creating science and innovation parks, so that we can be as successful as other areas in Europe and North America?251 

 16:15 

 

Vaughan Gething MS16:15:18 

 

'Yes' is the short answer. To be fair, Mike Hedges regularly makes the point about the value and the importance of universities as part of our research and innovation infrastructure and the ecosystem that we're looking to develop. He made similar points, indeed, when we were talking about the launch of the innovation strategy, and he's right to do so. Our challenge is how we make sure that we have an environment where that success is delivered, through research, and applied then into economic value and benefit. And I actually think that part of this is the key importance of the statement that I made a few weeks ago on a coherent approach to economic development, working with regions as partners and understanding the particular strengths that exist within those regions, some of which will, of course, be contained within the relevant university sector. 

 

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 

 

Mike Hedges MS supports campaign to end cervical cancer in the UK

 

 Mike Hedges MS supports campaign to end cervical cancer in the UK

This Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (23^rd-29^th January),Mike Hedges MS is supporting Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust as they call for action to eliminate cervical cancer in the UK.

Cervical cancer currently kills two women in the UK every day and the charity is calling for action, innovation, and awareness to help end cervical cancer.

Mike Hedges MS is supporting Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, by encouraging women in their constituency to attend their cervical screening when invited, and by supporting the efforts of the HPV immunisation programme. 

Cervical screening coverage in Swansea East is just 69%…, meaning that almost a quarter/one-third of local women do not attend their screening when invited.

Mike Hedges MS said: “It’s really exciting that we have the opportunity to effectively consign a cancer to the history books. Cervical screening and HPV vaccines can both help prevent cervical cancer, and I would encourage everyone who can to make use of these amazing cancer prevention tools.

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust recognises that attending a screening isn’t always easy, but they are there for you with information and support if you ever need them.”  

In its latest report, the UK’s leading cervical cancer charity found that only 17% of health professionals working across cervical cancer prevention think enough is currently being done to eliminate cervical cancer in the UK. Only 20% think enough is being done to ensure high levels of HPV vaccine uptake, and just 16% believe that enough is being done to support cervical screening uptake.

Samantha Dixon, Chief Executive at Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said: “A world without cervical cancer doesn’t have to be a pipe dream. The UK has the tools to make it a reality which is incredibly exciting. We need Government action to get there as soon as possible, but everyone can play their part. Going for cervical screening when invited, and making sure your child is vaccinated against HPV, will help make cervical cancer a thing of the past.

“We must also continue to invest in research, improve access to treatments, and banish the stigma and blame that too often comes with a cervical cancer diagnosis. Being forward looking should not mean those living with and beyond cancer get left behind.”

To get involved with Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, and the #WeCan End Cervical Cancer campaign, follow Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust on social media or visit the website at jostrust.org.uk 

-Ends-

 

For interviews, further comment or case studies, contact: media@jostrust.org.uk or call 07772 290 064 or 07800 825 051.

Notes to editors

• Cervical Cancer Prevention Week runs from 23-29 January 2023 and Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is launching its biggest ever campaign – to End Cervical Cancer. Join in to raise awareness of HPV vaccination and cervical screening, call for Government action, and take up your own invites. www.jostrust.org.uk/ccpw
• Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is the UK’s leading cervical cancer charity, providing information and support to anyone affected, and campaigning for excellence in cervical cancer treatment, care, and prevention. Its national Helpline is free, confidential, and available on 0808 802 8000. www.jostrust.org.uk    
• Jo’s collaborated with Hogarth Worldwide, part of WPP on a pro bono basis to develop the We Can campaign to End Cervical Cancer  https://youtu.be/MzPympAGFfU 
• Research consisted of a survey of 848 individuals working within cervical cancer and treatment. This includes practice nurses, clinical nurse specialists, biomedical scientists, radiographers, oncologists, and researchers. 

Endnotes - latest cervical screening statistics

Public Health Wales: Screening Division Inequities Report 2020-2021 https://phw.nhs.wales/news/men-younger-people-and-those-living-in-the-more-deprived-communities-in-wales-show-lower-uptake-of-life-saving-screening-services1/screening-division-inequities-report-2020-21/

Public Health Scotland: Scottish cervical screening programme statistics (2021) https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/scottish-cervical-screening-programme-statistics/scottish-cervical-screening-programme-statistics-annual-update-to-31-march-2021/#:~:text=For%20the%20period%20reported%2C%20cervical,from%20March%20to%20June%202020.

NHS Digital: Cervical Screening Programme England 2021-2022 https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cervical-screening-annual/england-2021-2022

HSC Public Health Agency: Cancer Screening Team, Programme performance and standards, Northern Ireland Cervical Screening Programme FACTSHEET (3–5-year coverage) https://cancerscreening.hscni.net/cervical-screening/programme-performance-and-standards/