Welsh-speaking communities to get targeted support to strengthen Cymraeg
Mark Drakeford said: "Cymraeg belongs to us all, and to every community across Wales. I am grateful for the Commission's hard work on this report, and I hope that by accepting their recommendations, we can strengthen Welsh in all our communities.'
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South Wales Argus
35 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Welsh constituencies with highest levels of child poverty
The study by Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition reveals that 36 per cent of children in Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, and 35 per cent of children in Newport East are living in poverty after housing costs are considered. The new data show the constituencies with the highest levels of child poverty in Wales as Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, followed by Rhondda and Ogmore, and Newport East. The list also includes Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare, Aberafan Maesteg, and Clwyd North, Cardiff South and Penarth and Swansea West all of which have a 34 per cent of children living in poverty. Elsewhere, figures show that 33 per cent of children Ceredigion Preseli and Mid and South Pembrokeshire live in poverty. The research also highlights that 31 per cent of all children in Wales are living in poverty. Only two of the 35 Welsh parliamentary constituencies have fewer than 25 per cent of children living in poverty. Nationally, child poverty affects every community in Wales. This can mean children lacking food, warm clothing, and living in unsafe housing. The End Child Poverty Coalition, representing over 135 UK organisations, has raised concerns and called upon the government to address these figures. Rachel Walters, the End Child Poverty Coalition manager, said: "No child in the Wales or beyond should have to experience poverty. "These figures should demonstrate to government just how important it is to quickly address this so to prevent another generation of children from growing up in low-income families. "The government's strategy to tackle child poverty must invest in children in areas with higher levels of poverty. "As a first step the government must scrap the two-child limit to benefit payments, a policy which continues to pull children into poverty every day." The research identifies a correlation between the two-child limit and child poverty across Wales. It also emphasises the potential for devolved policy measures to lower child poverty rates. The introduction of the Scottish Child Payment has reportedly reduced poverty levels in Scotland. Dr Steffan Evans, head of policy (poverty) at the Bevan Foundation, said: "Whilst many of the key levers to tackle child poverty still remain at Westminster, this latest analysis highlights just how important a role the Welsh Government has to play in support children and their families. "The Welsh Government have taken many welcome steps over recent years to address child poverty such as the introduction of universal free school meals in primary schools and in updating the education maintenance allowance to make sure it's fit for purpose. "The latest analysis highlights that there is a need for all political parties to be bolder in their commitments to end child poverty as attention turns to the Senedd election next year."
ITV News
8 hours ago
- ITV News
Eluned Morgan backs UK Government plans to increase defence spending
The UK Government says its Strategic Defence Review will boost jobs and see increased investment in Wales. UK Defence Secretary John Healey has been setting out how Britain's armed forces will change in coming years. He has committed to increasing spending and boosting the number of personnel. The First Minister has welcomed the review. Eluned Morgan said: 'Wales has a strong tradition of people serving in our Armed Forces, both regular and reserves. I look forward to seeing the full implications and impact for Wales, but I welcome the UK Government's commitment to increase investment in our defences, so that our armed forces are supported with the best technology and equipment.' In terms of the presence of the armed forces here and the contribution defence makes to our economy, both are only likely to increase as spending overall is increased. That is in contrast to earlier defence reviews which have cut troop numbers, merged battalions and closed bases. However, the Defence Secretary has acknowledged that there will not be an immediate increase in numbers but that it will take several years to recruit more troops. But there will not be a reduction and an announcement to invest £100m to upgrade the 800 homes here in Wales for forces families signals that intention. Currently there are approximately 3,000 military and civilian personnel based here. The largest presence is the Army, with its Welsh headquarters in Brecon, but there are around 60 Ministry of Defence establishments and bases, here including reservist centres and training facilities as well as well-known sites such as RAF Valley, MOD St Athan and HMS Cambria. SAS selection takes place here in Wales too. However, it is not just those directly serving in or employed by the Armed Forces. The UK Government says that over 160 defence firms are active here, employing more than 20,000 people. If defence spending is going to increase first to 2.5% of GDP and then to 3%, some of that spending will be invested in Welsh firms. As things stand, the MOD spends around £910m in Wales.
Wales Online
9 hours ago
- Wales Online
Welsh Labour MP tells court of 'terrifying' harassment
Welsh Labour MP tells court of 'terrifying' harassment Ayeshah Behit, 31, and Hiba Ahmed, 26, are on trial at Cardiff Magistrates' Court accused of harassing Labour MP Alex Davies-Jones in the lead-up to the general election Pontypridd Labour MP Alex Davies-Jones has spoken in court during the trial of two people accused of harassing her (Image: Daily Mirror ) A Welsh MP has recounted in court how she was left "terrified" after a confrontation with two pro-Palestinian campaigners while on an election trail. Alex Davies-Jones, Labour MP for Pontypridd, relayed the incident at Cardiff Magistrates' Court during the trial of Ayeshah Behit, 31, and Hiba Ahmed, 26, who are contesting harassment charges. The trial, part heard at the magistrates' court on Monday, disclosed that while Ms Davies-Jones, a justice minister, was visiting Treforest village, Rhondda Cynon Taf, on June 26, she encountered Behit and Ahmed distributing controversial leaflets that labelled her a "full-blown supporter of this genocide", alluding to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Giving her testimony, Ms Davies-Jones said: "I was asked a number of questions around the conflict in Israel and Palestine, and my conduct as an MP, if I had taken part in votes, membership of organisations such as Labour Friends of Israel." She further explained: "They asked me about the ceasefire and why I had abstained. I clarified I hadn't abstained, I wasn't in the country, I was paired in that vote." Describing the intensity of the incident, she told court: "It was escalating in terms of passion and intensity. We walked off in the opposite direction. We felt scared and intimidated and we wanted to leave the situation." Concerned for her team's safety, she added: "I had a number of young members with me. They already felt uncomfortable, I didn't want them to feel more at risk. Article continues below "They began to follow us. They were shouting and bellowing down the street at us: 'Why do you support genocide, why are you murdering babies, Alex Davies-Jones, do you support genocide?'." Ms Davies-Jones recounted how her team had entered the University of South Wales campus and resumed their canvassing, only to encounter Behit and Ahmed again roughly 20 minutes later. She detailed the unsettling experience of Labour volunteers engaging with residents, while being shadowed by the two defendants distributing leaflets and accusing her of "supporting genocide and murdering babies". The decision was made to wrap up early after they found one of their vehicles had been "covered with stickers and leaflets". The same day Behit and Ahmed escalated their campaign against the Labour office in Pontypridd, which served as the hub for Ms Davies-Jones' general election efforts, plastering it with posters alleging complicity in "enabling genocide". In a further act of provocation, they fixed stickers to the office in bold black letters stating: "Alex Davies-Jones how many murdered children is too many?". They also positioned a poster on a nearby bus stop declaring "Alex Davies-Jones supports genocide". Ms Davies-Jones told the court: "I was terrified. I was scared about what things they were going to do and what they were doing." A video of the confrontation was then uploaded onto social media, with the caption describing Ms Davies-Jones as racist. She added: "The abuse was endless. It was awful. It was relentless. I felt under attack. The video was clipped and manipulated in a way that made it seem I had lied." Following the daunting experience the MP for Pontypridd since 2019 has significantly cut back on public engagements, now having to be escorted by security personnel. Ms Davies-Jones spoke of the heartbreak surrounding the killings of Jo Cox and Sir David Amess, stating: "They have an impact on all of us. They have changed our lives fundamentally in how we live and work." When testifying in court, Ahmed disclosed her and Behit's intentions to spread information about Ms Davies-Jones' stance on Palestine before the elections. Ahmed, residing in Treforest with Behit, shared their spontaneous encounter with the MP saying: "I was genuinely really surprised when I saw her. I've lived in Treforest for a couple of years, I've never seen her." She likened spotting the MP to a rare sighting: "It was like seeing a celebrity almost, like a unicorn in the wild. I took the video because I thought nobody would believe me. It was a surprise when she approached us and said hi and she was willing to have a conversation." According to Ahmed, the exchange seemed civil despite differing viewpoints: "It felt like a really normal conversation between people who don't agree on something. Have you ever seen MPs talk to each other in the House of Commons? They can be quite brutal to each other." Ahmed commented that it was her inaugural experience distributing leaflets, following previous engagement with Ms Davies-Jones through email and peaceful demonstrations. "This wasn't really about her, it was about Palestine," she clarified. Behit informed the court: "She was running for MP and where I lived there were posters everywhere. It was constant, everywhere you looked was pro-Alex. "My intention was to show a different perspective, to get people to do their own research. It was never about Alex as a person. Part of her job as an MP is having people look at her policies, her opinions and how she voted." Article continues below Both accused reject the notion that their conduct constituted harassment. Their trial continues. Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here
