Latest news with #MarkIsherwood
Western Telegraph
6 days ago
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Welsh Government warned disability plan lacks key targets
Mark Isherwood, chair of the Senedd's cross-party group on disability, raised concerns that many long-term objectives in the draft 10-year plan lack firm commitments. He said Natasha Hirst, who was part of ministers' disability rights taskforce, pointed to a lack of funding and clear, robust targets. Mr Isherwood quoted Joe Powell, chief executive of All Wales People First, who said: "For this plan to succeed we need the appropriate investment into the infrastructure and services to make this aspiration a reality. "We need clear targets about how we are going to achieve this. "Without these, it is very difficult to see how the plan will make a difference to disabled people in Wales." The Conservative told the Senedd: "Damian Bridgeman, who chaired the disability rights taskforce's housing and community working group, said the draft document was a smokescreen rather than a plan. "He pointed to the absence of new money and a mechanism to track delivery of the action plan further, adding that, 'disabled people have been reviewed to death, what we need is action – and there's none of that here'." Mr Isherwood warned the plan lacks a commitment to enshrine the UN convention on the rights of disabled people into Welsh law. He also cautioned that the UK Government's plans to cut benefits risk further disabling people in Wales by compounding poverty and exclusion. Jane Hutt described the plan as a landmark moment in the Welsh Government's commitment to ensuring an inclusive and accessible society for all. She urged organisations and disabled people to respond to a consultation on the draft plan, running until August 7. Sioned Williams warned the plan has been a "long time coming," stressing the importance of legally enforceable rights. Jenny Rathbone supported efforts to embed the social model of disability, while Laura Anne Jones warned the plan "falls short in many critical areas."
South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Welsh Government warned disability plan lacks key targets
Mark Isherwood, chair of the Senedd's cross-party group on disability, raised concerns that many long-term objectives in the draft 10-year plan lack firm commitments. He said Natasha Hirst, who was part of ministers' disability rights taskforce, pointed to a lack of funding and clear, robust targets. Mr Isherwood quoted Joe Powell, chief executive of All Wales People First, who said: "For this plan to succeed we need the appropriate investment into the infrastructure and services to make this aspiration a reality. "We need clear targets about how we are going to achieve this. "Without these, it is very difficult to see how the plan will make a difference to disabled people in Wales." The Conservative told the Senedd: "Damian Bridgeman, who chaired the disability rights taskforce's housing and community working group, said the draft document was a smokescreen rather than a plan. "He pointed to the absence of new money and a mechanism to track delivery of the action plan further, adding that, 'disabled people have been reviewed to death, what we need is action – and there's none of that here'." Mr Isherwood warned the plan lacks a commitment to enshrine the UN convention on the rights of disabled people into Welsh law. He also cautioned that the UK Government's plans to cut benefits risk further disabling people in Wales by compounding poverty and exclusion. Jane Hutt described the plan as a landmark moment in the Welsh Government's commitment to ensuring an inclusive and accessible society for all. She urged organisations and disabled people to respond to a consultation on the draft plan, running until August 7. Sioned Williams warned the plan has been a "long time coming," stressing the importance of legally enforceable rights. Jenny Rathbone supported efforts to embed the social model of disability, while Laura Anne Jones warned the plan "falls short in many critical areas."
South Wales Guardian
6 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Welsh Government warned disability plan lacks key targets
Mark Isherwood, chair of the Senedd's cross-party group on disability, raised concerns that many long-term objectives in the draft 10-year plan lack firm commitments. He said Natasha Hirst, who was part of ministers' disability rights taskforce, pointed to a lack of funding and clear, robust targets. Mr Isherwood quoted Joe Powell, chief executive of All Wales People First, who said: "For this plan to succeed we need the appropriate investment into the infrastructure and services to make this aspiration a reality. "We need clear targets about how we are going to achieve this. "Without these, it is very difficult to see how the plan will make a difference to disabled people in Wales." The Conservative told the Senedd: "Damian Bridgeman, who chaired the disability rights taskforce's housing and community working group, said the draft document was a smokescreen rather than a plan. "He pointed to the absence of new money and a mechanism to track delivery of the action plan further, adding that, 'disabled people have been reviewed to death, what we need is action – and there's none of that here'." Mr Isherwood warned the plan lacks a commitment to enshrine the UN convention on the rights of disabled people into Welsh law. He also cautioned that the UK Government's plans to cut benefits risk further disabling people in Wales by compounding poverty and exclusion. Jane Hutt described the plan as a landmark moment in the Welsh Government's commitment to ensuring an inclusive and accessible society for all. She urged organisations and disabled people to respond to a consultation on the draft plan, running until August 7. Sioned Williams warned the plan has been a "long time coming," stressing the importance of legally enforceable rights. Jenny Rathbone supported efforts to embed the social model of disability, while Laura Anne Jones warned the plan "falls short in many critical areas."
Leader Live
23-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Welsh Government announces new culture funding package
On Tuesday, February 20, new Priorities for Culture were unveiled, with the aim of creating opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds. To support this initiative, the funding will be divided into two major streams: £8m will be given to the Arts Council of Wales for a strategic capital investment programme, and £7m will go to capital and revenue funding for museums, archives, libraries, the arts, and the historic environment. Culture Minister Jack Sargeant said: "I am pleased to publish the Priorities for Culture today, delivering on our Programme for Government commitment. "This £15m investment provides vital funding to support our cultural ambitions and will have significant impact across Wales." The beefed-up funding is set to enhance opportunities for children and young people, address climate change, provide resources to help the sector achieve net-zero, develop skills, and improve digital access. The Minister also added: "I am immensely proud of the culture sector. "Every day, I witness the positive power of culture. "This is a vision developed with and for the sector, and I look forward to working collaboratively to deliver these Priorities." READ MORE: Mark Isherwood MS for North Wales shares updates from his week in the Senedd This announcement builds on past Welsh Government initiatives. Dr Ken Griffin, President of Museums Federation Cymru, added: "Imagine a Wales where every local museum is a vibrant centre for learning, volunteering, and cultural discovery. "The new Priorities for Culture document paves the way for a connected culture sector, ensuring these invaluable institutions can continue to enrich lives and build a strong sense of 'cynefin' for all."
