Latest news with #DelythJewell
South Wales Argus
05-08-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Delyth Jewell MS on importance of swimming and concerns
Swim Wales, the governing body for swimming, told the Senedd committee I chair that there was a danger that swimming could become a middle-class activity, because of the cost of lessons. Figures released in 2024 show that only 35 per cent of children in years 3-6 are able to swim. This isn't just a question of exercise – it's a safety issue. Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in Wales (worryingly, the rates of accidental drowning in Wales more than doubles the UK average). Clearly, it is imperative that we teach children how to swim, and from a young age. That is why Plaid Cymru has pledged this week to provide every primary school child in Wales with free swimming lessons. Plaid Cymru's universal swim scheme will consist of providing 20 swimming and water safety lessons for all primary pupils during Years 4 and 5 of school. The policy announced this week will not only save lives, but is part of Plaid Cymru's commitment to a new and transformative preventative health agenda. It is a policy that will, I hope, lead to more children leading active and healthier lives. I'm proud that we've made this pledge – and I'm not the only one. Fergus Feeney, the chief executive officer of Swim Wales, has also welcomed the pledge, saying that 'by having a universal school swimming offer, we can ensure that Welsh children from all backgrounds have the same opportunity to acquire a life skill, to develop their confidence and begin their journey of lifelong physical activity. This would mean that Wales would be the first home nation to have a national programme of this significance in place.' Delyth Jewell is Senedd Member for South Wales East.
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Euro 2025 row as ministers to skip Wales v France game
There is "deep disappointment " that no Welsh government minister will be at Wales' match against France at Euro First Minister Eluned Morgan will be at the side's first ever game at a major tournament when they play the Netherlands in Switzerland on Saturday, there will be no representatives for the France game on 9 Minister Jack Sargeant will be at the final group game against England on 13 Senedd committee member said it would be "embarrassing for our team" if there was not a presence at every game. Chairwoman of the culture committee, Delyth Jewell, has written to the first minister urging her to attend the France said the move "risks conveying that our women's team is not afforded the same recognition or support as others on the international stage". The Welsh government said Morgan would "support our fantastic national team" at their tournament opener, adding that it had invested £1m into projects linked to the tournament "to create a lasting and positive legacy".But there were concerns among committee members that the government would miss an opportunity to promote Member of the Senedd for Llanelli Lee Waters said it would be "embarrassing for our team if other governments are at every match and ours were not"."This is an amazing opportunity for Wales and we should seize it to support the team and punch above our weight in the sporting world." Plaid Cymru's spokeswoman for sport, Heledd Fychan, made a comparison with the government's support for the men's team at the World Cup in Qatar in said the then-first minister Mark Drakeford "believed it was an obligation for the Welsh government to be in attendance to not only support the team, but also to use the platform the World Cup provides to make Wales known around the world".She added that it was "a shame" ministers were not following the example of fans to "make our nation proud and raise the profile of Wales across the world".The committee urged the first minister to reconsider, especially as they were advised that French president Emmanuel Macron is expected to be said a visible ministerial presence "would demonstrate the Welsh government's commitment to gender equality in sport".The Welsh government said: "Qualification for the women's Euros is an outstanding achievement and an inspiration to generations of female footballers in Wales."We wish our national team the very best of luck and thank them for all they are doing to represent Wales on the international stage."
South Wales Argus
19-06-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Calls to Welsh Government to speed up cancer diagnosis
Plaid Cymru deputy Senedd leader, Delyth Jewell, said: "Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest common cancer in Wales. "That's because 80 per cent of people get diagnosed too late to receive life-saving treatment, and half lose their lives within three months. "We have to see more people getting their diagnosis earlier to save so many more precious lives." Minister for children and social care Dawn Bowden acknowledged the 'heartbreaking' late diagnosis rates, and said the government is focusing on rapid access to diagnostic treatment. She said: "We're working with the NHS to determine the long-term service model for pancreatic and liver cancer surgery." The minister agreed to meet with Ms Jewell and Pancreatic Cancer UK to discuss improvement strategies. Pancreatic Cancer UK's head of devolved nations, Dawn Crosby, said: "It is vital that the Welsh Government keep up this momentum with more action, more investment, and more attention."
South Wales Argus
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Car idling outside schools putting kids 'health at risk'
Plaid Cymru's Delyth Jewell MS raised concerns in the Welsh Parliament, highlighting the impact of parked vehicles with running engines on air quality, particularly outside schools. Ms Jewell said: "Stationary idling is something that people do sometimes without thinking, but it is so deeply damaging to children's lungs." She called for a ban on stationary idling to be introduced before the next Senedd election. Ken Skates MS, cabinet secretary for transport, supported the call and described the behaviour as 'truly antisocial. Mr Skates said: "I just cannot comprehend why parents would leave their cars idling around not just their children but other children." Joseph Carter, head of Asthma + Lung UK Cymru, warned that children are especially vulnerable to emissions, despite idling already being an offence. He said: "Car idling produces up to 150 balloons of exhaust emissions per minute."
Wales Online
06-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Future of Llancaiach Fawr branded scandalous as Grade-I listed manor is mothballed
Future of Llancaiach Fawr branded scandalous as Grade-I listed manor is mothballed Caerphilly County Borough Council has closed Llancaiach Fawr amid ongoing uncertainty over its future, with the venue near Nelson being 'mothballed' and put on the market Llancaiach Fawr (Image: Google/Local Democracy Reporting Service ) The decision to shut down Llancaiach Fawr has been labelled a "retrograde step", amidst ongoing doubts about the future of the heritage site. The Grade-I listed manor, located near Nelson, has been "mothballed" and up for sale since January, following a cost-cutting move by Caerphilly County Borough Council to cease its annual subsidy for the site. The council's Plaid Cymru opposition group has claimed there is "no sign" of the venue reopening "anytime soon". Plaid revealed that a council response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request indicated that while 15 viewings had been scheduled, no offers have been made so far. "The closure was yet another flawed decision by the Labour cabinet, made against the opposition of the public and many councillors," stated Cllr Lindsay Whittle, who heads the Plaid group. Plaid Cymru group leader Lindsay Whittle at Ty Penallta (Image: Plaid Cymru/Local Democracy Reporting Service ) "We want to see Llancaiach Fawr reopened to the public as soon as possible, but given the lack of submissions of interest so far then we might be waiting quite a long time. It really is scandalous that this tourist and historical icon of Caerphilly remains shut." Plaid Senedd Member Delyth Jewell described the venue as "irreplaceable" and "the centre of the community", including for thousands of schoolchildren who visited on trips. Stay informed on Caerphilly news by signing up to our newsletter here Article continues below "Many of us warned that if the council closed its doors, they might never reopen again," Cllr Jewell said. "What a crying shame it will be if that turns out to be the case." Councillor Delyth Jewell (Image: Plaid Cymru/Local Democracy Reporting Service ) Yet, these opinions have been contested by the council's deputy leader, Labour's Jamie Pritchard. He remarked that there has been "a high level of interest from a range of organisations who have submitted business cases to secure a bright new future for Llancaiach Fawr". Cllr Pritchard mentioned that the council "received so much interest, we ran more open days than originally envisaged". Councillor James Pritchard (Image: CCBC/Local Democracy Reporting Service ) He added: "I must say, for leading Plaid politicians to say there has been a lack of submissions tells me they have simply ignored a statement I put out more than two weeks ago," and continued, "This is a very peculiar and totally unproductive way to operate. We are very positive about the future of Llancaiach Fawr, and we look forward to issuing further updates over the coming weeks." Article continues below In response to Plaid's Freedom of Information Act request, the council disclosed it is "now awaiting submissions from those that expressed an interest" in managing Llancaiach Fawr but noted that a definitive timeline "cannot be confirmed at this stage". The council also revealed that 37 staff members had their employment "terminated" at the site, with one individual retained until the end of June "to maintain the open space", and two others successfully redeployed within the council.
