Latest news with #ElunedMorgan
South Wales Argus
2 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Plaid Cymru criticise Labour on two-child benefit cap
The criticism follows First Minister Eluned Morgan's call for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to scrap the policy, which limits child benefit payments to the first two children in a family. Plaid Cymru's social justice and early years spokesperson, Sioned Williams MS, said: "This is staggering hypocrisy from Labour. "Just last Christmas, Eluned Morgan derided Plaid Cymru for demanding the two-child cap be scrapped. "As recently as last October, Labour MSs voted against our calls in the Senedd to stand up for children in poverty and end this cruel cap. "Meanwhile in Westminster, not a single Welsh Labour MP backed our efforts to scrap it – and Keir Starmer suspended his own MPs for voting to protect children. "Now, suddenly, Labour are changing their tone. "One would be forgiven for thinking this isn't about principle, but panic – driven by polling, not values." The two-child benefit cap has come under renewed scrutiny amid reports that the UK Government may consider scrapping it ahead of its spending review. First Minister Ms Morgan has urged the Prime Minister to remove the cap, which campaigners argue increases child poverty. However, Ms Williams said Labour's position lacked consistency. She said: "Plaid Cymru has been consistent from the start. "We've fought to scrap the two-child cap because it's the right thing to do for thousands of children growing up in poverty. "In Wales, we led the way on universal free school meals. "And in government, we pledge to deliver a Welsh Child Payment – a direct weekly payment to offer real, targeted help to support families who need it most." The policy has become a flashpoint within the Labour Party, exposing internal divisions and prompting criticism from across the political spectrum. Darren Millar MS, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, questioned Labour's promises to voters. Mr Millar said: "Labour promised that having two governments working at either side of the M4 would deliver for Wales, but all we've seen is a party at war with itself and a First Minister who clearly holds no sway with the Prime Minister. "The reality is that eliminating the two-child benefit cap would come at a financial cost, ultimately borne by hardworking taxpayers. "While the state should always support the most vulnerable, any extra costs must be weighed against the principle of fairness for the taxpayer." Ann Davies MP, Plaid Cymru's work and pensions spokesperson, criticised both Labour and the Conservatives for maintaining the policy. Ms Davies said: "The Tories are choosing to defend a policy that pulls 109 children into poverty every day. "There's nothing fair or responsible about that. "Ending the two-child limit would lift 350,000 children out of poverty across the UK instantly – more effectively and at lower cost than any alternative. "That is why Plaid Cymru have tabled motions in both Westminster and the Senedd calling for it to be scrapped, which have sadly been voted down by Labour consistently. "The Conservatives are once again proving just how out of touch they are with the daily struggles faced by people across Wales." Welsh Labour did not respond to a request for comment.
ITV News
a day ago
- Business
- 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.
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
More than 1,000 patients spent longer than 12 hours in A&E
The figures were released by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) and fall "well short" of the Welsh Government's target of zero. The latest statistics also revealed that seven per cent of patients waited more than 12 hours in A&E. A spokesperson for the health board said the area had some of the lowest percentage of patients with long waits to be seen in an Emergency Department across Wales. But the figures were criticised by Senedd member for Monmouth, Peter Fox. He said: "Once again, these statistics make for some very grim reading. "We continue to read of stories from patients who have poor experiences in our hospitals, and my inbox is full of the same. "I have always said, and will continue to advocate, that this is not the fault of our outstanding doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals. "They go above and beyond to provide for our residents. They are being let down by those in charge. "The Welsh Labour Government must get a grip of their systemic failure." Last autumn Wales First Minister Eluned Morgan said she wanted the number of people waiting for more than two years from referral to treatment to be reduced to "around" 8,000 by the spring, and recent figures show that target was broadly met. The statistics also revealed that NHS waiting lists remained at 790,020 pathways across Wales, which is the equivalent of nearly one in four people in Wales. The number of patient pathways decreased from 793,900 in February to 790,020 in March. A pathway represents a wait for treatment, so one patient can be on more than one pathway, for example if they have been referred to different departments for different ailments. Though the 'two-year waits' across Wales have fallen, there remain 269 in the ABUHB area, compared to just 147 across the entirety of England, who have a population of over 57 million. Mr Fox has called on the Welsh Government to urgently address this systemic failure, and to provide the improved service the people of Wales deserve. He added: "Only the Welsh Conservatives have a plan to fix Wales. Labour has broken our Welsh NHS, we will fix it." Wales' health minister Jeremy Miles said: "The latest NHS performance figures show long waiting times are now at their lowest levels since April 2021 and the overall size of the waiting list has fallen for four months in a row. "There are now just under 8,400 people waiting more than two years "I would particularly like to praise Swansea Bay and Hywel Dda university health boards which have joined Powys Health Board in having no patients waiting more than a year for a first outpatient appointment or two years for treatment." A spokesperson for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board said: 'Our staff have worked very hard over recent years to reduce waiting times across all of our services. We continue to see incremental improvement in the number of patients waiting for care. Out of the 25 services we provide; 5 services have zero waits over 52 weeks and only 4 services have patients with waits over 104 weeks. 'The health board continues to report some of the lowest percentage of patients with long waits to be seen in an Emergency Department across Wales. We are actively continuing an improvement programme which includes recent investments in a new Transfer Lounge to support timelier care, an extended Emergency Department waiting room to improve patient experience and reduce waits due to increased assessment space, and additional consultant capacity to ensure rapid senior assessment and treatment. 'Patients on our waiting lists are not just numbers to us; every one of them is an individual whose life is being affected by having to wait. Our staff are continuing to do everything they can to reduce our waiting times and to prioritise the most clinically urgent cases. 'It's important to recognise that these challenges are not unique to any one Health Board; we are currently experiencing these issues right across NHS Wales and in other parts of the UK.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
In pictures: Urdd Eisteddfod 2025 in rain and shine
Despite it being the hottest start to May in Wales this year, the sunshine didn't quite hold out for this week's Urdd Eisteddfod. While some photos may be deceiving, Europe's largest youth festival, held this year in Margam Park in Neath Port Talbot, was largely damp - but performers didn't let the weather rain on their parade. Wednesday was the brightest day, with families across Wales flocking to the Maes to spectate, eat and enjoy. From political faces including First Minister Eluned Morgan and Mark Drakeford to former rugby star Alun Wyn Jones, everyone turned up to show their passion for the Welsh language. Young Urdd winner melts hearts with message to mam American's Eisteddfod trip to trace his heritage Teacher inspires Welsh learning in school with 23 languages
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
In pictures: Urdd Eisteddfod 2025 in rain and shine
Despite it being the hottest start to May in Wales this year, the sunshine didn't quite hold out for this week's Urdd Eisteddfod. While some photos may be deceiving, Europe's largest youth festival, held this year in Margam Park in Neath Port Talbot, was largely damp - but performers didn't let the weather rain on their parade. Wednesday was the brightest day, with families across Wales flocking to the Maes to spectate, eat and enjoy. From political faces including First Minister Eluned Morgan and Mark Drakeford to former rugby star Alun Wyn Jones, everyone turned up to show their passion for the Welsh language. Young Urdd winner melts hearts with message to mam American's Eisteddfod trip to trace his heritage Teacher inspires Welsh learning in school with 23 languages
