Fourth Assembly In Focus : Health & Care

Last time I focused on the economy – which no doubt would've brought some smiles to any Labour faces reading this as it was broadly good news. I think it's time to wipe any smug grins away.

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Oggy Bloggy Ogwr : Celebrating Five Years

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Sant Hapus. It's also tenth anniversary of the official opening of the Senedd building and - much more importantly (obviously) - it marks five years since I started Oggy Bloggy Ogwr.

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Senedd/Election Watch - February 2016

• A UCL-Wales Governance Centre report on the draft Wales Bill recommended AMs reject it, describing current proposals as “constricting, clunky, inequitable and short-sighted”. There was also criticism of “blurry forms of executive veto”. Welsh Secretary, Stephen Crabb MP (Con, Preseli Pembs.), accused critics of being “ill-informed or just plain wrong”.
• On February 28^th, the Welsh Affairs Select Committee recommended a “pause” on the legislation to enable a lasting devolution settlement to be created. Chair, David Davies MP (Con, Monmouth) said, “Over the course of the inquiry, the committee has heard evidence that raises doubts about the draft Bill’s ability to provide the lasting settlement it seeks to create.”
• On February 29th, the Welsh Secretary said "significant changes" would be made to the Wales Bill, including the removal of "necessity tests" and the establishment of a working group to determine if Wales needs its own distinct legal arrangements. The publication of a final version of the Bill will be delayed until May 2016.
• The National Assembly unanimously approved the Environment Bill on February 2^nd. The Environment Act will set statutory targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, extend the single use carrier bag charge to “bags for life” and make separation of recyclable waste mandatory in the public and private sectors.
• A review of the National Assembly's petitions system recommended the threshold for consideration be raised from 10 signatures to 50, that only Welsh residents and organisations can submit a petition and that a signature threshold be set to trigger an Assembly plenary debate on a petition. It also called for Petitions Committee meeting flexibility to allow them to meet outside Cardiff.
• A survey conducted by the Children's Commissioner found bullying was a top priority for action by 7-18 year olds; amongst those aged 3-7 it was safe places to play. Commissioner Sally Holland said, “The consultation included many groups who often don't get a chance to take part in large surveys like this....Wales will be stronger if all of its citizens get the chance to play their part.”
• The Assembly passed the Historic Environment Bill by 32 votes with 22 abstentions on February 9^th. The Historic Environment Act will provide greater protection to historic monuments, create a statutory register of historic parks and gardens, make it easier for developers to bring listed buildings back into alternative use and create a statutory list of historic place names.
• £31million of cuts to higher education in Wales were reversed by Finance Minister, Jane Hutt (Lab, Vale of Glamorgan) as the draft budget for 2016-17 was approved by the Assembly. The news was welcomed by Universities Wales, who praised the minister's “understanding”.
• The Assembly unanimously passed Kirsty Williams AM's (Lib Dem, Brecon & Radnor) Nurse Staffing Levels Bill on February 10^th. The Nurse Staffing Levels Act will place a legal duty on the Welsh NHS to ensure there are safe numbers of nurses on hospital wards.
• The UK Ministry of Justice announced the closure of ten magistrates and civil courts in Wales , which was criticised by Labour and Plaid Cymru MPs, who raised concerns about access to justice, particularly by public transport.
• A campaign was launched in Cardiff to create a directly-elected mayor. In order to trigger a referendum, 25,000 electors in the city will need to sign a petition. The cross-party campaign has the backing of some Labour councillors and Conservatives, and if the threshold is reached, a referendum could be held in autumn 2016.
• A major report by the OECD comparing the health services of the UK found the Welsh NHS was “performing no better or worse” that the rest of the UK, but criticised lack of innovation, weak leadership from the centre and poor performance monitoring. Health Minister, Mark Drakeford (Lab, Cardiff West) said, “The OECD's report....puts to rest the claims that a particular heath service in one part of the UK is better than the others.”
• An Enterprise & Business Committee inquiry into the maritime economy recommended a “whole government” approach to take advantage of renewables, and criticised a lack of EU engagement by the Welsh Government. Chair, William Graham AM (Con, South Wales East) said, “Marine renewable energy is an ever-more significant part of the maritime sector, and we believe....Wales has an opportunity to be a world-leader.”
• A Sport Wales survey revealed 1 million adults in Wales wanted to do more sport and there had been big increases in numbers regularly participating. It also found there were falls in volunteer numbers and gaps in participation – particularly between men and women and non-disabled and disabled.
• The Electoral Reform Society called for a “revitalisation” of Welsh politics, putting forward proposals for votes at 16, a citizens' committee to scrutinise ministers and the use of proportional representation in local government elections.
• On February 20^th, the Prime Minister announced a deal on a renegotiated UK membership of the European Union had been agreed with the EU Commission and EU Council. Measures include restrictions on EU migrants claiming in-work benefits and child benefit, excluding the UK from “ever closer union” and protections for London's financial service sector. The referendum will take place on 23^rd June 2016.
• Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Andrew Davies (Con, South Wales Central), declared his support for the UK leaving the EU saying, “It is my belief that our future will be best served as part of a looser, economic relationship with the European Union.”
• The Business & Enterprise Committee expressed “considerable frustration” over the impact of the Active Travel Act 2013, praising the ambition of the law, but criticising lack of funding and leadership. The Welsh Government said they were spending £14million on walking and cycling infrastructure annually.
• Aston Martin announced they would construct a new luxury car at St Athan, Vale of Glamorgan, creating up to 750 jobs. The First Minister said, “We will work together....to nurture a prosperous and rewarding future for this iconic company and its skilled workforce in Wales.” While the Welsh Secretary said it was an “enormous boost” for the Welsh automotive sector.
• Revised proposals for Westminster constituency changes recommended the number of Welsh MPs be reduced from 40 to 29 by 2020. Shadow Welsh Secretary, Nia Griffith MP (Lab, Llanelli) said, “If the Conservatives were serious about cutting the cost of politics they would cut the number of unelected peers in the House of Lords.”

Projects announced in February include : A £500,000 grant to prevent flooding on sections of the A55; a 10% expansion in nurse training places; £21million in repayable finance for small and medium businesses; a proposed city deal bid for Swansea/south west Wales, potentially creating up to 33,000 jobs over 30 years and a online survey hoping to gather information from 260,000 people to determine the future needs of the NHS.

• The Welsh Lib Dems unveiled proposals for the environment, committing to zero carbon emissions, meeting 100% of electricity demand from renewables and increasing cycling rates to 25% - all by 2050.
• The Welsh Conservatives and Green Party in Wales both pledged to introduce an Autism Act in the Fifth Assembly. Mark Isherwood AM (Con, North Wales) – who chairs the cross-party autism group – said an Act, “would play a pivotal role in ensuring people with this condition are confident that they will receive the support they need."
• Plaid Cymru would introduce a Welsh Representation of the People Act which would lower the voting age to 16, trigger mandatory Assembly debates when petitions receive 10,000+ signatures and introduce electronic voting.
• UKIP announced party members would rank regional list candidates after a series of disputes over "parachuting" candidates from England. Leader in Wales, Nathan Gill MEP, said "I think it's up to the members to decide for themselves who they want to represent UKIP in Wales."
• Six 2015 Westminster candidates called for Nathan Gill to resign, criticising a lack of organisation and his handling of the candidate selection process. Cllr. Kevin Mahoney – widely expected to be a top candidate in South Wales Central, but critic of the process – was removed from the shortlist of candidates on February 6^th.
• The First Minister defended Labour's record on health at a NHS Confederation conference. He said the UK Government were determined to “run Wales down”. Opposition parties accused him of being “in denial” and of trying to “defend the indefensible”.
• The Welsh Conservatives pledged to cut ministers' pay by 10%, and use the money to support youth engagement. They also offered reforms to Assembly proceedings - proposing shorter recesses and more topical questions.
• Plaid Cymru would bid to host the Commonwealth Games in either 2026 or 2030 as well as men's and women's legs of a cycling Grand Tour. It would, “prove that we can not only produce world-class athletes but also act as a world-class host for some of the greatest championships and tournaments on earth”.
• At the Welsh Lib Dem spring conference in Cardiff, party members approved a motion denying parents the right to withdraw children from sex education lessons. UK leader, Tim Farron, called for urgent action on the Swansea tidal lagoon and for voters to challenge Labour's “sense of entitlement to rule”. Kirsty Williams added that predictions of an electoral “wipe-out” in May were wrong.
• The Greens launched their manifesto for older people, proposing that councils provide adequate seating and public toilets, increased spending on education for older learners and increased investment in energy efficiency schemes to combat fuel poverty.
• Informal discussions were held between Plaid Cymru, Lib Dems and Greens over a possible “electoral pact”, where two parties would withdraw candidates in seats where the third party could win. The talks subsequently ended without agreement and were ridiculed by Labour and Conservatives as a “stitch-up”.
• Plaid Cymru would write-off up to £6,000 of student debts for graduates who study in Wales and remain in Wales after graduation. They claim the current system subsidises English universities and is “unsustainable”.
• Labour pledged to create 100,000 apprenticeships “in areas of greatest need”, provide free childcare for working parents and cut taxes for small businesses as part of their six key pledges. The Conservatives accused them of “fantasy economics”.
• Plaid Cymru launched its Assembly election campaign in Cardiff on February 17^th. Leanne Wood promised “a well, well-educated, wealthier Wales” with improved NHS waiting times, free care for the elderly and a “fairer, more prosperous nation”.
• The Conservatives would scrap tuition fee subsidies and instead pay half of student rent bills as part of proposals for student finance. They estimate it would cost £75million. Andrew Davies said, “Accommodation costs often swallow up maintenance loans, meaning students....often struggle with everyday living costs associated with university life.”
• At their spring conference in Llandudno, the First Minister told Labour delegates the Assembly election was a “straight fight between Labour and the Conservatives”. He claimed the momentum in schools, the economy and health would be put at risk by changing government, warning voters not to elect a “rag tag coalition”.
• Plaid Cymru launched its national manifesto for Police & Crime Commissioners, calling for the abolition of the role, devolution of criminal justice and stronger neighbourhood policing teams, with greater support for victims of crime.
• Nathan Gill told delegates at UKIP's spring conference in Llandudno that powers over farming, fishing and business would transfer to Wales in the event of an EU withdrawal. UKIP also unveiled key policies for the Assembly election, including : the reintroduction of grammar schools, no income tax devolution without a referendum and directly-elected local health boards.

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Fourth Assembly In Focus : Economic Profile 2016

In about ten weeks weeks time, those of us who will bother to vote will elect a new Assembly and a "new" Welsh Government. My 2016 election coverage starts today with a mini series over three weekends focusing on three key areas of devolved public policy and how they've changed over the last five years : the economy, health and education.

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Locals Know Best?

(Pic : cardiffcityhall.com)

Yesterday, the Welsh Conservatives held a debate on the issue of local accountability amidst proposals for local government reform, as well as the campaign to trigger a referendum to introduce a directly-elected mayor in Cardiff (A Mayor for Cardiff?).

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EU Referendum : The Deal

(Pic : Reuters via BBC)

As you're probably all more than aware, last Saturday the Prime Minister, EU Commission and heads of government of other EU member states (EU Council) reached agreement on a renegotiated UK membership of the EU – you can read the text of the agreement here (pdf).

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Assembly petitions reforms outlined

As attentions turn to the Fifth Assembly, a Petitions Committee review
has recommended a number of improvements to the petitions system.
(Pic : National Assembly of Wales)

(Told you so.)

The National Assembly's e-petitions system, launched in 2007, has become one of the main ways the public and organisations influence decisions made on our behalf.

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The Great Cardiff Airport Swindle?

Were the Welsh Government diddled when they nationalised Cardiff Airport in 2013?
(Pic : Wales Online)

As others have said, the Welsh Government's reputation when it comes to spending public money has taken a big hit over the last few days, and brings what I said in Wales reacts to steel job cuts all the more into focus:

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Senedd/Election Watch - January 2016

• Jonathan Edwards MP (Plaid, Carms E. & Dinefwr) criticised the formula used to determine rail fares after regulated fares – such as season tickets – rose by 1.1%. He said, “Calculating prices based on Retail Price Index (RPI) is an unpopular system which has attracted criticism from respected economists.”
  

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Live From Angel Street - January Communities Committee

The next webcast Bridgend Council (BCBC) meeting I'm going to focus on is the Community, Environment & Leisure Scrutiny Committee, held on Wednesday (27^th January) – you can watch it he....

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Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap V : The Inquiry

(Pic : BBC Wales)

Yesterday, the Public Accounts Committee published their forensic report into the failed Regeneration Investment Fund for Wales (RIFW)....and it makes really, really grim reading for the Welsh Government (pdf).

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Assembly rejects Trade Union Bill

It's a no from the Assembly....
(Pic : BBC Wales)

Earlier today, the National Assembly voted on the UK Government's highly-controversial Trade Union Bill, which most AMs – and the Welsh Government - roundly criticised last year (AMs take swipe at Trade Union Bill).

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A Mayor for Cardiff?

Should Cardiff have a directly-elected mayor?
(Pic : Cardiff City Hall)

It's a question that could be put to electors in the capital if a new campaign succeeds in getting the right number of signatures to trigger a local referendum on the issue.

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Local Democracy petition given short shrift by AMs

LA! LA! LA! LA! WE ARE NOT LISTENING! LA! LA! LA! LA!
(Pic : Carmarthenshire Planning)

When it comes to rotten boroughs in Wales, there's one that stands head and shoulders above any other and that's Carmarthenshire, which is being run in a manner similar to Saudi Arabia; there's a token elected body but an unelected monarch calls the shots.

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EU Referendum : The IWA Debate

We still don't know when the referendum will be held on the UK's membership of the European Union but, to much fanfare, the first Welsh debate was hosted last night in Cardiff by the Institute of Welsh Affairs (IWA) and Cardiff University, with the First Minister lining up against UKIP leader, Nigel Farage MEP.

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Making the Metro

(Pic : BBC Wales)

At the end of November the Welsh Government launched the first publicity campaign for the proposed South Wales Metro after the project was given a firm go ahead earlier in 2015 (Metro a Go Go).

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Senedd Watch - December 2015

• An “opt-out” organ donation system, created by the Human Transplantation Act 2013, came into effect on 1^st December. Consent to have organs donated after death will be presumed unless Welsh residents aged over 18 have either specifically opted-out or their families object.
• The National Assembly's Health & Social Care Committee failed to draw a conclusion on a proposed ban on the use of e-cigarettes in enclosed public spaces after committee members split over the issue. Labour committee members supported the proposal, but opposition members disagreed.
• During the Stage 1 debate on December 8th, Health Minister, Mark Drakeford (Lab, Cardiff West), announced the Welsh Government would amend the Public Health Bill to only prohibit the use of e-cigarettes in schools, food establishments and on public transport due to contested evidence on the risk of harm.
• Education Minister, Huw Lewis (Lab, Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney), defended college regulation after BBC Wales discovered fraud at a privately-run college in Cardiff, where faked credentials were used to access Welsh Government-funded student grants. He said, “No system of regulation....could be 100% fraud-proof.” A police investigation was launched.
• An Enterprise and Business Committee short inquiry into travel problems during the 2015 Rugby World Cup called for “urgent improvements” to Cardiff Central station, improved travel information and the creation of a single command centre during major events. Committee Chair, William Graham AM (Con, South Wales East) said, "It is imperative that the lessons learned from the Rugby World Cup are acted on to ensure an enjoyable experience for all."
• The National Assembly unanimously approved a cross-party motion calling for extra assistance for the steel industry by both Welsh and UK Governments following a number of job losses in Scotland and Yorkshire. AMs were critical that high energy costs hadn't been addressed and that exemptions of green levies for steelmakers won't come into effect until 2017.
• The UK House of Commons voted in favour of air strikes against so-called Islamic State in Syria by 397 votes to 223. 65% of Welsh MPs, all from Labour, Lib Dems and Plaid Cymru, voted against while 67 Labour MPs defied UK leader, Jeremy Corbyn, and voted in favour. The Royal Air Force carried out its first missions on December 3^rd.
• The First Minister told BBC Wales that although Labour had no plans to raise income taxes after the 2016 National Assembly election, tax rises could be introduced to “pay for a specific thing”. He also said the UK Government's tax devolution proposals would lock-in relative under-funding for Wales.
• The Constitutional & Legislative Affairs Committee report into the draft Wales Bill said it would “roll back” the Assembly's powers and failed to meet the principles of subsidiarity. They also criticised restrictions on passing criminal and civil laws, an over-reliance on Whitehall departments' help in developing the draft Bill and a failure to produce a workable reserved powers model. They recommended it should not proceed without serious amendments.
• Chair of the Petitions Committee, William Powell AM (Lib Dem, Mid & West Wales), wrote to the Education Minister claiming that the policy of fining parents who take their children on holiday during term time had resulted in confusion, with councils incorrectly advising schools. The Welsh Government said, “Prolonged absence from school really does damage the attainment prospects of young people”.
• A war of words erupted between Labour and Plaid Cymru over Barnett formula consequentials as a result of England's High Speed 2 project. Plaid maintain Wales will receive no extra money as a direct result of the project, unlike Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Welsh Government said spending increases at the UK Department of Transport will result in an extra £755million over five years. FOI requests revealed the Welsh Government made no formal approaches to Whitehall over the project.
• Finance Minister, Jane Hutt (Lab, Vale of Glamorgan) introduced the draft budget for 2016-17 on December 8^th. Key proposals include a £293million funding boost for the NHS, as well as £115million and £41million cuts to local government and higher education respectively. Funding was also increased for the pupil deprivation grant as part of a £223million deal agreed between Labour and the Lib Dems in 2014.
• As a result of the draft budget, the local government settlement for 2016-17 was cut by £57million, described by Public Services Minister, Leighton Andrews (Lab, Rhondda), as “better than expected”. Rural authorities were hit with cuts of up to 4%, while Cardiff's budget was cut by just 0.1%. This prompted complaints from the Lib Dems and Conservatives, with the Lib Dems threatening to oppose the budget as a result.
• HEFCW - which represents the Welsh higher education sector - described a £41million cut to university funding as “unsustainable”, saying they were “seriously concerned” at the severity of the cuts.
• Welsh language campaigners criticised a 6% cut to support for the Welsh language as undermining policy commitments. Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg repeated calls for 1% of the budget - £150million – to be spent on language support.
• The National Assembly unanimously approved a cross-party backbench motion opposing cuts to arts and music education by local authorities and schools, and calling for a new strategy on arts education from the Welsh Government. There was also criticism of a lack of skilled music teachers.
• 2014's Gross Value Added (GVA) figures for Wales showed that while GVA increased by 2.4%, Wales remained the lowest-performing nation or region of the UK with GVA per head at just 71.4% (£17,573) of the UK average (£24,616). Total Welsh GVA in 2014 was £54.3billion ($82.4billion) and Wales would nominally be ranked 29^th in the world by GVA-per-head in 2015.
• The National Assembly backed a Plaid Cymru motion calling for a tax on sugary drinks by 38 votes to 10. Those voting in favour included the First Minister and other Labour AMs, who had previously mocked the plans as unworkable and counter-productive. The Finance Minister said a tax could help address obesity levels.
• The Children & Young People's Committee inquiry into Welsh-medium education strategies recommended targets be included in the strategies, clearer guidance be issued to local authorities and ministerial intervention be considered where local authorities are failing to deliver the strategies.
• A separate inquiry by the same committee into supply teachers called for a review of the system, with particular concerns over continuous professional development and lack of data on why full-time teachers take sick leave. The Committee recommended a thorough investigation into where supply teachers are most commonly used and the reasons why.
• Alice Hooker-Stroud was elected leader of the Green Party in Wales on December 16^th. She said, “We enter the Welsh Assembly election as a determined and energetic party; we can and we will win seats.” Cardiff West candidate, Hannah Pudner, was named Deputy Leader.
• A Public Accounts Committee report criticised high pay-offs for senior staff at National Museum Wales at a time when weekend top-up payments for front line staff were cut, leading to strike action earlier in 2015. The Committee also investigated recouping of costs at the National Library of Wales following a serious fire in 2013, criticising the library's £75,000 legal bill.
• An interim report on a review of student finance by Prof. Ian Diamond stated that current arrangements are “not an option”. Welsh students carried less debt than English students, but there was “lack of consensus on the way forward” and concerns of a funding gap developing between Welsh and English universities.
• Anglesey's Wylfa nuclear power station stopped generating electricity on 30^th December, and began a shutdown and decommissioning process. Plans for the £8billion Wylfa Newydd power station are due to be submitted in 2017, with the new plant generating energy by the mid-2020s.
• Natural Resources Minister, Carl Sargeant (Lab, Alyn & Deeside), announced an extra £1million will be made available to communities affected by serious flood damage caused by Storm Eva and Storm Frank. The north west of England was hardest hit, but north Wales endured floods which closed the A55 near Bangor, prompting calls from Plaid Cymru for immediate action on drainage.

Projects announced in December include : The launch of a new university-backed scheme to encourage the take up of modern foreign languages; a £12million joint bio-refining research programme at Aberystwyth, Bangor and Swansea universities; a £290million expansion of the Help to Buy scheme; £3.9million towards business management and leadership skills training; a £7.5million modernisation of a premature baby unit at University Hospital Cardiff and a plan to protect historic places of worship.

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Assembly Calls for Steel Industry Support

(Pic : South Wales Argus)

The latest topical Members' Debate in the Senedd takes place amidst growing concerns about a slow down in the global steel market and the influx of cheap, low-grade steel from China.

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