Latest news with #SENEDD
Pembrokeshire Herald
27-05-2025
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Wales ‘piggybacks' on Westminster renters' rights bill
SENEDD Members denounced the 'ill-judged, regrettable and unacceptable' decision to 'piggyback' on the UK renters' rights bill but held their noses to vote for it nonetheless. Mike Hedges, in his role as chair of the legislation committee, expressed concerns about the Senedd consenting to the UK Government making law in a devolved area. He said the Welsh Government provided no clear rationale for 'piggybacking' on a UK bill, adding that a bill tailored to Wales' needs could have already become law by autumn 2024. 'This would have meant that the benefits of the legislation could have been felt sooner by citizens in Wales,' said the Labour Senedd Member. 'Moreover, the provisions could have been consulted on by Senedd committees and subject to more debate and scrutiny, with a view to producing better outcomes.' The renters' rights bill, described as the most significant change to the private rented sector in decades, amends two Senedd Acts – with little input from elected members in Cardiff Bay. Mr Hedges warned: 'The Senedd is in effect being provided with a fait accompli: vote in favour or risk losing important legislation on housing. 'This is even though the bill's provisions for Wales have not been the subject of rigorous policy development, detailed scrutiny by members of the Senedd with knowledge of Welsh housing issues nor consultation with stakeholders.' During a debate on a legislative consent motion on May 20, Mr Hedges criticised the lack of a formal Welsh Government consultation on a bill that creates new criminal offences. He added: 'In the committee's view, the decision to pursue provisions for Wales in the UK Government's bill on grounds of expediency was a miscalculation and ill-judged.' The former Swansea Council chief pointed out that using a UK bill meant Welsh ministers could 'avoid' the need to prepare relevant impact assessments. Expressing the committee's scepticism of claims the bill would have no financial implications, he said using UK bills has become a matter of convenience for the Welsh Government. Mr Hedges concluded: 'The approach…, which excludes the Senedd as a legislature and stakeholders in Wales, represents a regrettable and unwelcome approach to devolution.' Wales' housing minister Jayne Bryant responded: 'Practically, we could not deliver within the timeframe of this bill without making sacrifices elsewhere. 'We could have looked to deliver a discrete bill but it would have been delivered further down the line and I'm not prepared to make tenants in Wales who are being discriminated against wait… and nor did I want to jeopardise other important legislation.' Housing and local government secretary Jayne Bryant Ms Bryant, who was appointed in July 2024, stressed the need to balance Senedd scrutiny against the need to deliver positive changes for Wales, 'which I believe this bill offers'. She pointed out that there was nothing to stop people or organisations in Wales responding to the UK Government's consultation. Her Labour colleague Alun Davies intervened: 'This is essentially an argument to go back to the pre-2011, 1999 settlement, that there's no need for Welsh consultation.' The Blaenau Gwent Senedd Member said: 'That is unacceptable, minister, I'm afraid. It's absolutely unacceptable to speak to our parliament in that way. 'Members here have the absolute right to scrutinise legislation. It's why we are elected here. It's why the Welsh Government fought for and achieved a referendum on full primary powers and we should be afforded the opportunity to exercise those.' But he said he would vote along party lines, prompting roars of laughter around the chamber. Fellow Labour backbencher John Griffiths was disappointed a new right in the bill for tenants to request permission to keep pets would not extend to Wales. Landlords in England would not be able to unreasonably withhold consent. 'We would like to see Welsh tenants afforded the same rights,' said Mr Griffiths, the housing committee chair. Laura Anne Jones, the Conservatives' shadow housing secretary, opposed the bill due to concerns surrounding a potential ban on so-called no-fault evictions. South Wales East's Conservative MS Laura Anne Jones She said: 'Scotland abolished no-fault evictions in 2017 and… there's been increasing hostility… resulting in 22,000 rental properties being taken off the market last year.' Senedd Members backed legislative consent for the bill, 37-14, with the Tories and Rhys ab Owen – who sits as an independent – voting against.
Pembrokeshire Herald
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Plaid Cymru demands end to ‘shameful' pensions injustice
SENEDD members called out the 'shameful', long-standing pensions injustice faced by thousands of women born in the 1950s, coal miners, and steelworkers. Plaid Cymru's Heledd Fychan backed the 1950s Women of Wales group's campaign for justice for women affected by changes to the pension age. Millions of women saw their retirement plans plunged into chaos after they were given little to no notice of the change, causing financial hardship for many. Ms Fychan also raised the plight of former miners under the British Coal pension who are calling for the same justice afforded to members of the miners' pension scheme in autumn. And the politician highlighted that former workers of Allied Steel and Wire (ASW) have seen their pensions 'erode' for decades due to a failure to uprate them with inflation. 'These three groups have one thing in common,' she said. 'The members of the campaigns are all individuals who have worked hard throughout their lives and who deserve the basic right of stability in their retirement. 'They did nothing wrong and it is a disgrace that in their retirement they have to campaign for something that they should be entitled to.' Leading a debate on May 21, Ms Fychan stressed: 'Let no-one forget that political decisions are responsible for these injustices and that political decisions can also provide redress.' Plaid Cymru's shadow finance secretary accused first minister Eluned Morgan and Welsh secretary Jo Stevens of saying one thing in opposition and doing another when in power. Her Conservative counterpart Sam Rowlands, whose mother has been affected by pension changes, similarly accused Labour of 'quite remarkable' hypocrisy. Conservative MS Sam Rowlands Mr Rowlands said: 'Eluned Morgan confidently stated that a Labour government at Westminster would 'put this right'. But, as we see now, it's complete rubbish. Labour happily said one thing in opposition before doing a screeching 180 and reneging on their promises.' He warned that Plaid Cymru's pursuit of Welsh independence, which 'relies on fantasy economics', would 'blow a hole' in pension protections. Plaid Cymru's Sioned Williams said the failure to rectify pensions injustice for 1950s women was 'another example of gender-based discrimination and shameful unfairness'. Plaid Cymru's shadow social justice minister, Sioned Williams Highlighting the human impact, she said some women had to continue working, sell their homes, sleep in their cars or 'sofa surf' until their local council could rehouse them. She told the Senedd that, on average, women have to work 19 years longer than men to accumulate the same level of pension wealth, according to a report on the gender gap. Rhys ab Owen, who sits as an independent representing South Wales Central, focused on ACW steelworkers' fight for justice over the past quarter of a century. Independent MS Rhys ab Owen His father Owen John Thomas, a former Plaid Cymru politician who represented the same region in the then-Assembly, was involved in the steelworkers' campaign from the outset. Mr ab Owen quoted campaigner John Benson, who was watching from the public gallery, as saying: 'All I want is what I paid for, my pension.' He warned campaigners have been ignored and insulted – 'told off by politicians for the tone of their emails, told off by people who have no idea of the hardship they have lived'. Mr ab Owen said: 'It's absolutely unbelievable. The injustice is obvious. Everybody I talk to about this clearly sees the injustice but it remains.' Adam Price focused on pensions set up when British Coal was privatised in 1994. 'Here are the cold, hard facts,' said the former Plaid Cymru leader. 'Since then, the Treasury has taken £3.1bn from the British Coal staff superannuation scheme. They plan to take another £1.9bn by 2033. And how much have they put in? Not a single penny.' Jack Sargeant, for the Welsh Government, cautioned that Labour cannot fix the legacy left by the former Conservative UK Government within 10 months of a general election. Labour MS Jack Sargeant Pointing to progress on miners' pensions, he said: 'We have consistently raised concerns about pensions injustices with successive UK Governments and we will continue to do so.' Mr Sargeant, whose responsibilities include fair work in Wales, stressed that pensions are not devolved, so Welsh ministers do not have the powers to provide redress. Plaid Cymru's motion was voted down, 24-11 with 12 abstaining, before Labour's amendment was narrowly agreed, 24-23.
Pembrokeshire Herald
21-05-2025
- Health
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Manordeifi's Got Talent returns to Abercych
SENEDD Members welcomed a bill aimed at ending homelessness in Wales but warned of missed opportunities to support veterans, prisoners and those discharged from hospital. Jayne Bryant gave a statement on the introduction of the homelessness bill which aims to increase access to services and prioritise social housing for those most in need. With around 11,000 people currently housed in emergency temporary accommodation, Wales' housing secretary told the Senedd: 'Across Western Europe and beyond, homelessness poses an escalating and urgent challenge. 'It is a devastating and pervasive issue. It shortens lives and isolates people from their communities. It impacts people's health, mental wellbeing, people's ability to engage in work or with the economy, or indeed on educational outcomes.' Ms Bryant, who is also responsible for councils, said the pandemic revealed a hidden homelessness need, placing unsustainable pressure on households and services. 'This is why reform is absolutely necessary,' she said, describing the 'landmark' bill as an important step towards a bold vision of a Wales free from homelessness. She explained that the bill, 'which is rooted in evidence and experience', will move away from a system that responds to crises to one focused on early identification and prevention. She said the priority need and intentionality tests for homelessness support – which have been criticised as 'unjust and immoral' for setting a high threshold – will be abolished. Ms Bryant was particularly proud of a new duty in the bill on councils to take reasonable steps to secure suitable accommodation for young people transitioning from care. 'These reforms are ambitious,' she said. 'They have to be to match the scale of the challenge. They will take time to implement. This is not a quick fix.' Laura Anne Jones, the Conservatives' shadow housing secretary, broadly welcomed the 'much-needed' reforms, particularly the commitment to care leavers. South Wales East's Conservative MS Laura Anne Jones But she expressed concerns about ministers not taking forward proposals to specifically support those leaving hospital or custody – 'two of the most high-risk groups'. 'Ignoring these proposals misses a vital opportunity for a joined-up approach,' she warned. Ms Jones asked: 'What message does that send, that support for people leaving NHS care or prison has been dropped from our most significant homelessness reforms in years?' She added: 'While we support these reforms, let's not pretend they solve the deeper crisis that we face… the chronic shortage of social housing in Wales.' She called for radical levels of investment to deliver desperately needed housing, pointing out that the Welsh Government is set to miss its target of 20,000 social homes by 2026. Ms Jones raised concerns about an Audit Wales report, which suggested between £580m and £740m extra could be required to deliver on the target. Calling for an exemption, she warned that the local connection test for support could discriminate against veterans who may not live near family nor friends. 'We all owe them a debt, not just local communities,' she said, pointing out that the UK Government removed the local connection rule for veterans in England. Ms Bryant argued that ensuring nobody is discharged from hospital into homelessness can best be achieved by using existing mechanisms rather than creating a new duty. She said guidance will be introduced to stop people being discharged onto the streets or stuck in hospitals due to a lack of suitable housing. Ms Bryant agreed the bill must be underpinned by an increased supply of social homes, with a record £2bn set to be invested from 2021 to 2026. Turning to veterans, she said the bill provides powers for ministers to reconsider certain elements including problems associated with the local connection test. Ms Bryant told the Senedd her officials are working on regulations to stop veterans being 'pushed down the list for social housing just because they do not have a local link'. The bill was part of the now-collapsed cooperation agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru in return for support to pass budgets. Siân Gwenllian, Plaid Cymru's shadow housing secretary, welcomed the trauma-informed, person-centred approach taken in the bill. Plaid Cymru MS Siân Gwenllian She said: 'We have to confront the situation… because the figures on homelessness today are truly staggering. There are more than 11,000 people in temporary accommodation, including over 2,600 and 400 children living in B&Bs or hotels. 'At the moment, we are letting the most vulnerable people down – with one in four young care leavers homeless, so I am pleased to see this bill focusing on those at particular risk.' Warning of a lack of social housing, Ms Gwenllian told the Senedd: 'You as a government have to recognise that you have entirely failed to meet your own targets.' Ms Bryant stressed: 'Legislation alone can't end homelessness… we do recognise that supply and social housing has a really important role to play.' Closing her statement on May 20, the Labour minister said: 'This is a government that cares about the future of Wales – a future where homelessness is confined to the history books. These reforms take us closer to realising that vision.'
Pembrokeshire Herald
21-05-2025
- Health
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Three Cardigan men return from Cambodia after transforming jungle school
SENEDD Members welcomed a bill aimed at ending homelessness in Wales but warned of missed opportunities to support veterans, prisoners and those discharged from hospital. Jayne Bryant gave a statement on the introduction of the homelessness bill which aims to increase access to services and prioritise social housing for those most in need. With around 11,000 people currently housed in emergency temporary accommodation, Wales' housing secretary told the Senedd: 'Across Western Europe and beyond, homelessness poses an escalating and urgent challenge. 'It is a devastating and pervasive issue. It shortens lives and isolates people from their communities. It impacts people's health, mental wellbeing, people's ability to engage in work or with the economy, or indeed on educational outcomes.' Ms Bryant, who is also responsible for councils, said the pandemic revealed a hidden homelessness need, placing unsustainable pressure on households and services. 'This is why reform is absolutely necessary,' she said, describing the 'landmark' bill as an important step towards a bold vision of a Wales free from homelessness. She explained that the bill, 'which is rooted in evidence and experience', will move away from a system that responds to crises to one focused on early identification and prevention. She said the priority need and intentionality tests for homelessness support – which have been criticised as 'unjust and immoral' for setting a high threshold – will be abolished. Ms Bryant was particularly proud of a new duty in the bill on councils to take reasonable steps to secure suitable accommodation for young people transitioning from care. 'These reforms are ambitious,' she said. 'They have to be to match the scale of the challenge. They will take time to implement. This is not a quick fix.' Laura Anne Jones, the Conservatives' shadow housing secretary, broadly welcomed the 'much-needed' reforms, particularly the commitment to care leavers. South Wales East's Conservative MS Laura Anne Jones But she expressed concerns about ministers not taking forward proposals to specifically support those leaving hospital or custody – 'two of the most high-risk groups'. 'Ignoring these proposals misses a vital opportunity for a joined-up approach,' she warned. Ms Jones asked: 'What message does that send, that support for people leaving NHS care or prison has been dropped from our most significant homelessness reforms in years?' She added: 'While we support these reforms, let's not pretend they solve the deeper crisis that we face… the chronic shortage of social housing in Wales.' She called for radical levels of investment to deliver desperately needed housing, pointing out that the Welsh Government is set to miss its target of 20,000 social homes by 2026. Ms Jones raised concerns about an Audit Wales report, which suggested between £580m and £740m extra could be required to deliver on the target. Calling for an exemption, she warned that the local connection test for support could discriminate against veterans who may not live near family nor friends. 'We all owe them a debt, not just local communities,' she said, pointing out that the UK Government removed the local connection rule for veterans in England. Ms Bryant argued that ensuring nobody is discharged from hospital into homelessness can best be achieved by using existing mechanisms rather than creating a new duty. She said guidance will be introduced to stop people being discharged onto the streets or stuck in hospitals due to a lack of suitable housing. Ms Bryant agreed the bill must be underpinned by an increased supply of social homes, with a record £2bn set to be invested from 2021 to 2026. Turning to veterans, she said the bill provides powers for ministers to reconsider certain elements including problems associated with the local connection test. Ms Bryant told the Senedd her officials are working on regulations to stop veterans being 'pushed down the list for social housing just because they do not have a local link'. The bill was part of the now-collapsed cooperation agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru in return for support to pass budgets. Siân Gwenllian, Plaid Cymru's shadow housing secretary, welcomed the trauma-informed, person-centred approach taken in the bill. Plaid Cymru MS Siân Gwenllian She said: 'We have to confront the situation… because the figures on homelessness today are truly staggering. There are more than 11,000 people in temporary accommodation, including over 2,600 and 400 children living in B&Bs or hotels. 'At the moment, we are letting the most vulnerable people down – with one in four young care leavers homeless, so I am pleased to see this bill focusing on those at particular risk.' Warning of a lack of social housing, Ms Gwenllian told the Senedd: 'You as a government have to recognise that you have entirely failed to meet your own targets.' Ms Bryant stressed: 'Legislation alone can't end homelessness… we do recognise that supply and social housing has a really important role to play.' Closing her statement on May 20, the Labour minister said: 'This is a government that cares about the future of Wales – a future where homelessness is confined to the history books. These reforms take us closer to realising that vision.'
Pembrokeshire Herald
20-05-2025
- Health
- Pembrokeshire Herald
‘Landmark' homelessness bill ‘a missed opportunity'
SENEDD Members welcomed a bill aimed at ending homelessness in Wales but warned of missed opportunities to support veterans, prisoners and those discharged from hospital. Jayne Bryant gave a statement on the introduction of the homelessness bill which aims to increase access to services and prioritise social housing for those most in need. With around 11,000 people currently housed in emergency temporary accommodation, Wales' housing secretary told the Senedd: 'Across Western Europe and beyond, homelessness poses an escalating and urgent challenge. 'It is a devastating and pervasive issue. It shortens lives and isolates people from their communities. It impacts people's health, mental wellbeing, people's ability to engage in work or with the economy, or indeed on educational outcomes.' Ms Bryant, who is also responsible for councils, said the pandemic revealed a hidden homelessness need, placing unsustainable pressure on households and services. 'This is why reform is absolutely necessary,' she said, describing the 'landmark' bill as an important step towards a bold vision of a Wales free from homelessness. She explained that the bill, 'which is rooted in evidence and experience', will move away from a system that responds to crises to one focused on early identification and prevention. She said the priority need and intentionality tests for homelessness support – which have been criticised as 'unjust and immoral' for setting a high threshold – will be abolished. Ms Bryant was particularly proud of a new duty in the bill on councils to take reasonable steps to secure suitable accommodation for young people transitioning from care. 'These reforms are ambitious,' she said. 'They have to be to match the scale of the challenge. They will take time to implement. This is not a quick fix.' Laura Anne Jones, the Conservatives' shadow housing secretary, broadly welcomed the 'much-needed' reforms, particularly the commitment to care leavers. South Wales East's Conservative MS Laura Anne Jones But she expressed concerns about ministers not taking forward proposals to specifically support those leaving hospital or custody – 'two of the most high-risk groups'. 'Ignoring these proposals misses a vital opportunity for a joined-up approach,' she warned. Ms Jones asked: 'What message does that send, that support for people leaving NHS care or prison has been dropped from our most significant homelessness reforms in years?' She added: 'While we support these reforms, let's not pretend they solve the deeper crisis that we face… the chronic shortage of social housing in Wales.' She called for radical levels of investment to deliver desperately needed housing, pointing out that the Welsh Government is set to miss its target of 20,000 social homes by 2026. Ms Jones raised concerns about an Audit Wales report, which suggested between £580m and £740m extra could be required to deliver on the target. Calling for an exemption, she warned that the local connection test for support could discriminate against veterans who may not live near family nor friends. 'We all owe them a debt, not just local communities,' she said, pointing out that the UK Government removed the local connection rule for veterans in England. Ms Bryant argued that ensuring nobody is discharged from hospital into homelessness can best be achieved by using existing mechanisms rather than creating a new duty. She said guidance will be introduced to stop people being discharged onto the streets or stuck in hospitals due to a lack of suitable housing. Ms Bryant agreed the bill must be underpinned by an increased supply of social homes, with a record £2bn set to be invested from 2021 to 2026. Turning to veterans, she said the bill provides powers for ministers to reconsider certain elements including problems associated with the local connection test. Ms Bryant told the Senedd her officials are working on regulations to stop veterans being 'pushed down the list for social housing just because they do not have a local link'. The bill was part of the now-collapsed cooperation agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru in return for support to pass budgets. Siân Gwenllian, Plaid Cymru's shadow housing secretary, welcomed the trauma-informed, person-centred approach taken in the bill. Plaid Cymru MS Siân Gwenllian She said: 'We have to confront the situation… because the figures on homelessness today are truly staggering. There are more than 11,000 people in temporary accommodation, including over 2,600 and 400 children living in B&Bs or hotels. 'At the moment, we are letting the most vulnerable people down – with one in four young care leavers homeless, so I am pleased to see this bill focusing on those at particular risk.' Warning of a lack of social housing, Ms Gwenllian told the Senedd: 'You as a government have to recognise that you have entirely failed to meet your own targets.' Ms Bryant stressed: 'Legislation alone can't end homelessness… we do recognise that supply and social housing has a really important role to play.' Closing her statement on May 20, the Labour minister said: 'This is a government that cares about the future of Wales – a future where homelessness is confined to the history books. These reforms take us closer to realising that vision.'
