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24.06.08

Edwina Hart AM Assembly Report - June 2008

Welsh pensioners and children to get free entry to Cadw sites

Children and pensioners from Wales will be able to visit all Cadw run sites for free from 1st September this year - fulfilling another Welsh Labour's pledge at last year's Assembly election.

The free entry scheme will apply to all children and pensioners who are resident in Wales when they visit Cadw's sites which currently charge, including historic buildings, ancient monuments, historic parks, gardens and landscapes. The move follows the announcement in February that entrance to Blaenafon Ironworks would be free from last Easter.

The move is part of the Assembly Government's drive to ensure that our historic environment is more accessible to all the people of Wales and is appreciated not only in its own right but also for the contribution it can make to the economy and revitalising our local communities.

The Assembly Government will also be providing free entry for all visitors to Caerleon Roman Fortress Baths from 1 September 2008.

For details of your local Cadw site, please visit:

http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/default.asp?id=6&lang=en

Child poverty top of the agenda

The Welsh Assembly Government has set out its plans to put child poverty at the top of the agenda for all public agencies in Wales.

The proposals contained in 'Taking Action on Child Poverty' will underpin collective action to tackle child poverty across the country. Proposals include placing a duty on all public agencies to make and demonstrate their contribution to ending child poverty, a key commitment in Welsh Labour's Assembly manifesto.

Other proposals include placing a duty on local authorities to provide free childcare places for two year old children, and other early years services, in the areas of greatest need underpinning the current Flying Start programme and building on the existing requirements to provide free education places for three year olds.

In addition the Welsh Assembly Government plans to put guidance to local authorities on the Cymorth grant on a statutory footing, creating new duties to reduce inequalities of outcome, ensure adequate access to play and promote participation among children and young people in decision making.

The consultation can be found at:

http://new.wales.gov.uk/consultations/currentconsultation/childrenyoungpeople/takingaction/?lang=en

Employment in Wales at record high

New labour market statistics for Wales and the UK show that employment in Wales is at record levels.

The figures show that total employment in Wales stands at 1,360,000, up 20,000 over the previous year, 27,000 over the previous quarter - and 149,000 higher than the figure when the Assembly was established in 1999. The employment rate amongst working age people in February to April was 72.5%, up 1% on the previous year, compared to a rise of 0.5% for the UK as a whole, and up 1.3% on the previous quarter, compared to a flatline rate for the UK.

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate in Wales, at 5.3%, is also down on the previous year and inactivity levels in Wales fell by 29,000 compared to the previous quarter. The reduction in the inactivity rate over the previous year in Wales was double the reduction for the rest of the UK. These latest official figures show that the Welsh economy is showing remarkable resilience in the face of the turbulent times we are facing, with the credit crunch and high energy prices putting new pressures on the economy.

Consultation on local speed limits

The Assembly Government's drive to improve road safety has taken another step forward with the announcement of a new consultation on local speed limits.

The consultation is part of the Assembly Government's commitment to promoting road safety in Wales and reducing the number of road collisions and casualties. The 12-week consultation will look at several key issues relating to the setting of speed limits, including:

• 20 mile an hour speed limits at appropriate locations - such as in the vicinity of schools;
• The Speed limits through villages;
• The categorisation of routes by quality and traffic use;
• The potential for, and implications of, 50 mph speed limits on lower quality rural roads;
• A proposed period of five years for Highway Authorities to review and amend speed limits on their road networks.

The consultation document can be found at:

http://new.wales.gov.uk/consultations/currentconsultation/transcurrcons/localspeedlimits?lang=en

Wales becomes world's first Fair Trade Nation

Wales has become the world's first Fair Trade Nation after pioneering the way in helping producers in developing countries get a fair price for their products.

The announcement follows a two-year campaign by the Wales Fair Trade Forum, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, to increase the availability of Fair Trade products in towns, cities and counties across Wales, and encouraging schools, businesses and other organisations to switch to Fair Trade. It is also a tribute to the work carried out by hundreds of local volunteers who have helped to achieve this landmark.

Figures show that over 60% of people in Wales now recognise the Fairtrade Mark and know what it means, up from 44% in November 2006. 41% of shoppers who recognise the Fairtrade Mark are also buying at least one Fair Trade item each month. Wales now has active Fair Trade groups in all local authorities and all of Welsh cities have achieved Fairtrade status. Over half of our towns are actively engaged in Fair Trade work and 400 schools are working to become Fairtrade schools - more than the rest of the UK put together.

To find out more about Fair Trade and what we can all do to support fair trade workers and producers, please see: www.fairtradewales.com

In addition to the regular surgeries I have attended the following:

• Gower FolkFestival
• Pontarddulais Town Band Annual Concert
• Llwchwr Town Council Mayor's Social Evening
• Gowerton & District Youth Group at St John's Church, Gowerton
• Pontarddulais & Hendy 49th Carnival Celebration
• Coedenfach Community Group at Bishop's Wood