Latest news with #JessicaMorden

South Wales Argus
4 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Letter: Newport not at forefront of industrial revolution
It was mainly private money that was the impetus, not like the nationalisation and never-ending government subsidies that have continued and are still continuing since the end of the Second World War. Although I concede that of necessity, at that time governments had to be involved with the restart of the economy. I note that the Welsh Government has an investment, or should that be another subsidy, of £7.5 million in their Flexible Skills Programme (Argus 22nd May) for training courses. Why aren't companies training more apprentices instead of relying on the taxpayers to fund those schemes? Perhaps Jessica Morden and her fellow Labour politicians should start asking, although they might not hear the answers they want, bearing in mind the present occupiers of Westminster. Newport

South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Police could destroy anti-social e-scooters within 48 hours
The UK Government has proposed stronger powers to seize and destroy vehicles used in anti-social driving. Currently, police have to wait 14 days before they can dispose of a vehicle, which makes it easier for offenders to reclaim their vehicles and continue offending. The new measures will allow police to fast-track the disposal of vehicles, and give them stronger powers to seize any vehicles involved in anti-social behaviour without issuing a warning. South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Emma Wools, said: "These new powers send a clear message to would-be offenders and local communities in Wales: swift justice will be delivered and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated. "Sales of e-scooters and off-road bikes have rapidly increased, so today is an important step in tackling more serious crime in Wales, with the vehicles often used to facilitate drug dealing, organised acquisitive crime and serious violence." The news comes as Wales is set to benefit from over 150 new neighbourhood police officers by April 2026, with every neighbourhood having named, contactable officers from July next year. The four police forces in Wales will receive additional neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs within the next 12 months. Jessica Morden, Member of Parliament for Newport East, said: "I know today's measures will be welcome news for Wales and my constituents in Newport East, who regularly share their thoughts on the use of e-scooters with me – often a source of great anxiety in the city." "I introduced the E-scooters (Review and Awareness) Bill to the Commons in November last year, making the case that our legislation on the vehicles lags behind other countries, so today is a great step forward in ensuring legislation across the UK is keeping up."


Pembrokeshire Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Police to crush e-scooters used in anti-social behaviour within 48 hours
Fast-track powers proposed to deliver swift justice and deter repeat offenders A NEW crackdown on anti-social driving in Wales could see vehicles such as e-scooters, quad bikes and off-road motorcycles seized and destroyed within 48 hours under plans unveiled by the UK Government. Currently, police forces must wait 14 days before disposing of vehicles used in anti-social behaviour. The proposed changes would slash that delay, aiming to stop offenders reclaiming their vehicles and reduce repeat offending. The new powers are being proposed as part of a wider UK Government consultation launched today (May 28), which seeks to fast-track the removal and disposal of nuisance vehicles from streets across Wales and England. As part of the consultation, ministers are also proposing to remove the requirement for police officers to issue a formal warning before seizing vehicles under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002. South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Emma Wools welcomed the move, saying: 'These new powers send a clear message to would-be offenders and local communities in Wales: swift justice will be delivered and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated. 'Sales of e-scooters and off-road bikes have rapidly increased, so today is an important step in tackling more serious crime in Wales, with the vehicles often used to facilitate drug dealing, organised acquisitive crime and serious violence.' The move comes as part of the UK Government's broader Plan for Change, which aims to increase police presence, clamp down on disruptive behaviour and deliver safer communities. It also follows an announcement that Wales will receive more than 150 new neighbourhood police officers by April 2026, with each neighbourhood having named and contactable officers by July next year. Jessica Morden, Labour MP for Newport East, said the measures would be welcomed by residents. 'I know today's announcement will be good news for many in Newport East, where concerns over the misuse of e-scooters are raised with me frequently,' she said. 'I introduced the E-scooters (Review and Awareness) Bill to Parliament last November because our laws lag behind other countries. Today's steps are a significant move in the right direction.' Public consultation now open The public consultation will run for six weeks until Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Proposals include: Reducing the vehicle disposal timeframe under the Police Reform Act 2002 from 14 days to 48 hours Reducing disposal times for uninsured or unlicensed vehicles (Road Traffic Act 1988) from 14 days to 7 days Aligning disposal timeframes for vehicles seized under trespass laws (Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994) Updating statutory charges for vehicle removal, storage and disposal The consultation is available at: – Vehicle removal, storage and disposal consultation


Pembrokeshire Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Man arrested after late-night disturbance at Asda
Fast-track powers proposed to deliver swift justice and deter repeat offenders A NEW crackdown on anti-social driving in Wales could see vehicles such as e-scooters, quad bikes and off-road motorcycles seized and destroyed within 48 hours under plans unveiled by the UK Government. Currently, police forces must wait 14 days before disposing of vehicles used in anti-social behaviour. The proposed changes would slash that delay, aiming to stop offenders reclaiming their vehicles and reduce repeat offending. The new powers are being proposed as part of a wider UK Government consultation launched today (May 28), which seeks to fast-track the removal and disposal of nuisance vehicles from streets across Wales and England. As part of the consultation, ministers are also proposing to remove the requirement for police officers to issue a formal warning before seizing vehicles under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002. South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Emma Wools welcomed the move, saying: 'These new powers send a clear message to would-be offenders and local communities in Wales: swift justice will be delivered and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated. 'Sales of e-scooters and off-road bikes have rapidly increased, so today is an important step in tackling more serious crime in Wales, with the vehicles often used to facilitate drug dealing, organised acquisitive crime and serious violence.' The move comes as part of the UK Government's broader Plan for Change, which aims to increase police presence, clamp down on disruptive behaviour and deliver safer communities. It also follows an announcement that Wales will receive more than 150 new neighbourhood police officers by April 2026, with each neighbourhood having named and contactable officers by July next year. Jessica Morden, Labour MP for Newport East, said the measures would be welcomed by residents. 'I know today's announcement will be good news for many in Newport East, where concerns over the misuse of e-scooters are raised with me frequently,' she said. 'I introduced the E-scooters (Review and Awareness) Bill to Parliament last November because our laws lag behind other countries. Today's steps are a significant move in the right direction.' Public consultation now open The public consultation will run for six weeks until Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Proposals include: Reducing the vehicle disposal timeframe under the Police Reform Act 2002 from 14 days to 48 hours Reducing disposal times for uninsured or unlicensed vehicles (Road Traffic Act 1988) from 14 days to 7 days Aligning disposal timeframes for vehicles seized under trespass laws (Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994) Updating statutory charges for vehicle removal, storage and disposal The consultation is available at: – Vehicle removal, storage and disposal consultation

South Wales Argus
21-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
MP says Newport is leading way in new industrial revolution
Jessica Morden. Labour MP for Newport East, said that the city is "primed, ready to power the world" as the new data and clean energy-driven industrial revolution takes hold. She said that Newport is "at the forefront" of the new industrial revolution, just as it was during the original Industrial Revolution, when iron and coal were shipped globally from its docks. Ms Morden said: "As a Member of Parliament, I am continually amazed by the innovation and industry within our constituency. "We manufacture and develop products of national and global significance, powering incredible projects and infrastructure, advancing technology, and creating the jobs of tomorrow right here in our city." She highlighted several companies that are leading the way in Newport's new industrial revolution. (Image: Submitted) These include Tata's plant at Llanwern, which produces automotive steel for luxury car brands such as Jaguar, Land Rover, and Audi. Ms Morden said: "The dedicated and highly skilled workforce there is a testament to the steel DNA that runs through the veins of Newport East." She also praised tech giant KLA, which has been located in Newport East for more than 40 years and develops technology to build semiconductors. Ms Morden said: "It never fails to amaze me that without the R&D happening at KLA on the Coldra Roundabout, the technology in our phones – which we all rely on so much – would not exist." EnerSys, which employs nearly 500 people locally and produces around 1 million battery blocks each year, was also highlighted by Ms Morden. She said: "It's no exaggeration to say that Newport East is helping power the world through EnerSys." Ms Morden also mentioned Simec Atlantis Energy (SAE), which has been successful in its bid for support from Cardiff Capital Region. This will allow them to progress to the next stage of development at their site at Uskmouth, transforming the old coal-fired power station into a battery energy storage solution. Ms Morden said: "This hugely innovative and ambitious project of national significance will be one of the biggest battery energy storage sites in the UK. "It will create hundreds of jobs and add an additional 1GW of capacity to the country's energy infrastructure, enough to power almost 700,000 homes." She also mentioned other companies in Newport East that are contributing to the city's economic growth, including Wales' only train manufacturer, CAF, and specialist aviation company, AerFin. Ms Morden said: "New industry and thousands of highly skilled jobs are developing here in Newport, all nationally and globally significant. "Many are attracted by the transportation methods that led Newport's boom in the first industrial revolution – rail and water – something which investors and developers regularly share with me is an asset and a key decider in making the choice to locate in Newport." She also highlighted the importance of Newport Docks, one of the busiest ports in the country, handling around £1bn of trade each year. Ms Morden said: "Combine all of these factors with the fact that Newport is the fastest growing and youngest city (by population age) in Wales, and it's easy to see why Newport stands primed, ready to power the world as the new data and clean energy-driven industrial revolution takes hold."