Latest news with #JoyceWatson
Powys County Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Opinion: Everyone will benefit from proposed new Bills
The Welsh Government has announced the new Bills it hopes to pass in the final year of this parliament, writes Joyce Watson MS. They include standards for visitor accommodation, a ban on greyhound racing, simplified planning laws and greater accountability for Senedd Members. Meanwhile, new laws to end profit from the care of looked-after children, and to transform bus services in Wales, have already passed into law. Sticking with transport, local authorities can now apply for a new £110 million fund to improve local transport. One of the projects set to benefit is for Llanidloes schools – to make it easier, safer and more pleasant for children to walk, wheel and cycle. Funding is also available for organisations across Wales to develop Smart Local Energy Systems. The £10 million Ynni Cymru grant scheme forms part of Wales' ambitious goal to generate 100 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035. Wales has the most generous offer for UK learners at £40 a week – to help with costs such as transport and materials. The income threshold has been raised, meaning even more learners will be eligible this year. In other news, the government has set out plans to help farmers boost nature in our National Parks and National Landscapes. The £1.8 million Ffermio Bro scheme will provide practical support and dedicated funding for nature-friendly farming. At the same time, a new scheme aims to build a healthier and more resilient food system for Wales. The Community Food Strategy will connect Welsh producers with consumers – to strengthen local food systems, support community-led food projects and encourage healthy eating. Have you seen the video of the wild beaver on the Dyfi? After a 400-year absence, there are now four managed beaver enclosures in Wales, with an unknown number living in the wild. Fantastic! Of course, the health of our rivers is paramount to these majestic creatures. At the Senedd, I recently spoke on the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations. While the causes of river pollution are not limited to any one sector, agriculture remains one of the main contributors. The latest independent review of water quality in Wales recommends a crack-down on polluting activities, while reducing burdens on low-risk farming, and supporting innovation in farming practices.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gaps in Wales' Covid response, says committee
There were gaps in Wales' response to the Covid pandemic, a Senedd committee has said. The cross-party committee said it identified nine gaps in the UK-wide Covid inquiry which require further examination into how the Welsh government and other public bodies responded. From the findings, the committee wants to look into how the best resilience and preparedness model for Wales can be designed. The report will be debated in the Senedd next month, when MSs will be asked to approve a further inquiry. First Covid inquiry report to show UK plan failures Covid families want lessons learned from pandemic Bereaved families call for Wales-only Covid inquiry It is the first report from the Covid-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee since it was set up in May 2023, with the remit to find gaps in the ongoing Covid inquiry that need to be examined in more detail in Wales. The initial UK Covid inquiry report was published last July and the Welsh government gave its response in January. While the Senedd committee took that response into consideration, it has gathered evidence to establish if there were any gaps, and engaged experts from Nottingham Trent University to assist. The gaps are: To review the most effective resilience and preparedness model for Wales To learn how civil contingency roles can be clarified and accountability improved Review the ways data access and sharing occurred Consider the effectiveness of communication of policy and guidance to the public Look at civil contingencies across borders, where responsibilities are shared, unclear or complex Review how leading resilience processes can be shared in Wales Review how societal inequalities could be incorporated into the preparedness and resilience structures Review the benefits of a Wales-specific approach to strengthen resilience systems Consider the best way for Wales implement the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 1 report recommendations Co-chairs of the special purpose committee, Tom Giffard MS and Joyce Watson MS, said the pandemic was a "painful and traumatic experience for many in Wales". In a statement, they said: "We are extremely grateful for the insights and experiences shared by everyone who assisted us with our work, including our public consultation and stakeholder event. "We have detailed our conclusions and highlighted each area we believe requires further examination." The Senedd will be asked approve this further inquiry on 2 April. If agreed, the committee will then begin work on Wales-specific scrutiny beyond the hearings already done by the UK-wide Inquiry.
BBC News
24-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Covid inquiry: Gaps in Wales' response to pandemic, committee says
There were gaps in Wales' response to the Covid pandemic, a Senedd committee has cross-party committee said it identified nine gaps in the UK-wide Covid inquiry which require further examination into how the Welsh government and other public bodies the findings, the committee wants to look into how the best resilience and preparedness model for Wales can be report will be debated in the Senedd next month, when MSs will be asked to approve a further inquiry. It is the first report from the Covid-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee since it was set up in May 2023, with the remit to find gaps in the ongoing Covid inquiry that need to be examined in more detail in initial UK Covid inquiry report was published last July and the Welsh government gave its response in the Senedd committee took that response into consideration, it has gathered evidence to establish if there were any gaps, and engaged experts from Nottingham Trent University to gaps are: To review the most effective resilience and preparedness model for WalesTo learn how civil contingency roles can be clarified and accountability improvedReview the ways data access and sharing occurredConsider the effectiveness of communication of policy and guidance to the publicLook at civil contingencies across borders, where responsibilities are shared, unclear or complexReview how leading resilience processes can be shared in WalesReview how societal inequalities could be incorporated into the preparedness and resilience structuresReview the benefits of a Wales-specific approach to strengthen resilience systemsConsider the best way for Wales implement the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 1 report recommendations Co-chairs of the special purpose committee, Tom Giffard MS and Joyce Watson MS, said the pandemic was a "painful and traumatic experience for many in Wales". In a statement, they said: "We are extremely grateful for the insights and experiences shared by everyone who assisted us with our work, including our public consultation and stakeholder event."We have detailed our conclusions and highlighted each area we believe requires further examination."The Senedd will be asked approve this further inquiry on 2 April. If agreed, the committee will then begin work on Wales-specific scrutiny beyond the hearings already done by the UK-wide Inquiry.
