Latest news with #JaneDoddsMS
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Trump drug price plans could harm patients claim Welsh Lib Dems
This is the claim of the Welsh Liberal Democrats who said the move could harm the Welsh NHS and the thousands of people working in Wales' pharmaceutical sector. The life sciences sector in Wales employs more than 12,000 people across more than 250 companies, including PCI Pharma Services in Tredegar and a growing cluster of specialist producers in Newport. It contributes approximately £2.6 billion to the Welsh economy annually. The party said reports revealed Trump had written to global pharmaceutical companies, including AstraZeneca and GSK, demanding they lower drug prices for American patients. It said the UK government had reportedly already agreed to review NHS drug pricing as part of wider UK–US trade negotiations. Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds MS said: 'We must stand up to Trump's bullying. This time, he is not just picking a fight; he is putting the health of people in Wales at risk. "From threatening drug price hikes to imposing tariffs on essential medicines, his tactics could lead to shortages, rising NHS costs and real harm to Welsh patients. "The UK government must stop rolling over and urgently convene a task force, in full coordination with the Welsh Government, to put an emergency plan in place. "That means preparing for stockpiling and protecting our medicine supply chains by standing up for our domestic pharmaceutical industry and the Welsh workers it employs.'
South Wales Argus
10-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Volunteers' Week calls for more routine volunteering
The celebration, which took place across both the Senedd and Westminster, emphasised the need to make volunteering a routine part of life for more people. At the Senedd, the focus was on the Bil Pob Plentyn (Law for Every Child) legislative proposal, aiming to bolster the rights of young people in Wales. Youth organisations and young people shared their experiences to help shape the proposals. Jane Dodds MS and Sioned Williams MS both stressed the importance of centring young people's voices in policy-making. Later, a Westminster event rallied support for a campaign allowing every employee 35 hours of annual volunteering leave. This move could unlock an estimated 140 million volunteer hours annually, offering flexible volunteering opportunities. Representatives from ScoutsCymru were also present, advocating for the power of volunteering. Kerrie Gemmill, CEO of ScoutsCymru, praised the dedication of volunteers and highlighted current challenges, including a waiting list of over 4,500 children eager to join the Scouts due to volunteer shortages.
