Senedd Watch - January 2013

Plaid Cymru MP Jonathan Edwards accused the Welsh Government of “shedding crocodile tears” after Severn Bridge car tolls rose to £6.20 on January 1st. A Freedom of Information request showed the Welsh Government lobbied in favour of a change to the toll formula which caused the rise. In a related development, transport expert Prof. Stuart Cole argued that high Severn Bridge tolls were “no deterrent to tourism or inward investment” and argued in favour...

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Lifestyles of the dull and half famous

In May 2011 there was a turnover of 23 new AMs compared to the previous term. The Hansard Society recently published a report into the experiences of these new AMs over their first year in office.I thought it was interesting, but some of the things raised weren't entirely surprising. It's worth covering their side of the story...

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Census 2011 : Losing our religion?

Is Wales turning its back on established religions? What are we embracing instead? Census 2011 : What's stunting Welsh? In my second visit to the census data, it's time to look at another one of the more dramatic changes compared to 2001 – an increasingly secular Wales.As a humanist scientist, who's put on record his...

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Well, tonight thank God it's them instead of you

"Everything is fine. All is well. I'm doing a good job. Give me a pay rise......Wait, what are you doing with those Kalashnikovs?" (Pic : Verzio.org) I want you to close your eyes....no wait, that won't work. Just read the description below and see what images this might conjure up in your mind. Those with executive powers...

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A return of the Bank of Wales?

Hat tip to Glyn at National Left.Welsh Government review of SME finance Are the big high street banks letting down Welsh businesses? Business Minister Edwina Hart has launched a review to find out. (Pic : The Guardian) Business Minister Edwina Hart (Lab, Gower) recently announced a review funding for small and medium...

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Network Rail's plans for Wales until 2019

A few weeks ago, Network Rail unveiled their Strategic Business Plan for 2014-2019. The overall aim of the strategic plan is to improve capacity (i.e. more carriages, longer platforms) and help meet UK Government targets to mitigate climate change and CO2 emissions.They've already committed £874million towards Great Western Line electrification, and there's at least a further ~£350million in the pipeline for Valley Lines electrification. The Great...

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Lard of my fathers - A Welsh obesity crisis?

Obesity levels in Wales are increasing. Why, and how, has it become such a "problem"? Do we need to rethink how obesity is approached? (Pic : BBC) Continuing the health theme this week - as a nation, we're all getting fatter apparently. There've been several stories over the last few months about obesity in Wales, which...

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Accountability vacuum causing problems for Welsh Labour?

With Hywel Dda Local Health Board formally adopting its hospital reorganisations today, is this the start of an uncomfortable period for Welsh Labour AMs? (Pic : BBC Wales) I only saw these last week, but there are two videos (here and here) of Sandy Mewies AM (Lab, Delyn) talking with protesters outside a meeting in Connah's Quay...

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