£31.5 million boost for Welsh towns and cities
The Welsh Government is providing an additional £31.5m to local authorities to deliver regeneration projects that will transform town centres across Wales. The funding will be used by nine local authorities to help deliver projects such as Y Storfa in Swansea, the Queen’s Market in Rhyl and the demolition of Newport Leisure Centre. This extra […]
50 years of pioneering innovation partnership scheme
One of the UK’s longest standing initiatives connecting businesses and organisations with academia is celebrating 50 years of delivering value to the Welsh economy. The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme drives growth and innovation by solving real world ‘business’ challenges in partnership with academics across Wales and the UK. The resulting partnerships are focused on […]
Call for by-elections to replace misbehaving Senedd members
A Labour Senedd member called for voters to be given a say over who replaces politicians removed from office for wrongdoing under a new “recall” system. Alun Davies argued the people – rather than political parties – should decide who is returned following a public vote to remove a sitting Senedd member between elections. […]
Traditional town centre business model is ‘dead’, ex-minister warns
A former minister warned the traditional business model for Welsh town centres is "dead", dismissing "magic bullets" such as free parking and abolishing business...
Drakeford details decade-long plan for Welsh language in education
Schools in Wales will be required to deliver at least 10% of their teaching in Welsh by 2030 as part of a decade-long plan to implement “landmark” legislation. Mark Drakeford outlined the Welsh Government’s plan for a phased rollout of the Welsh Language and Education Act which aims to give every child “a fair chance […]
£5m to make playgrounds and play areas fun-tastic
Children’s playgrounds and play spaces across Wales are to be improved so youngsters have better opportunities to play within their local communities. The Welsh Government is providing an extra £5m to local authorities to purchase items to improve the quality of play spaces, refurbish playgrounds and support the creation of inclusive and accessible play spaces. […]
Welsh Water customers ‘getting a raw deal’
Welsh Water customers are getting a raw deal, with bills increasing while “disgraceful” pollution continues and executives pocket “scandalous” payments, the Senedd heard. Rhys ab Owen expressed concerns about Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water being issued a £1.3m fine for failing to monitor water quality at 300 different sites and committing 800 offences. “This is on […]
First minister grilled about £4.8bn benefit cuts
Senedd members pressed Wales’ first minister about the Labour UK Government plans to slash spending on welfare by £4.8bn a year by the end of the decade. Plaid Cymru’s Llŷr Gruffydd questioned Eluned Morgan about reforms announced in this week’s spring statement during a scrutiny committee meeting on March 27. He said: “Disabled people […]
‘Monstrous’ solar projects ‘taking over farmland’
Senedd members debated calls for a temporary ban on “monstrous” solar developments, warning the countryside, food security and Welsh farmers could all be compromised. Janet Finch-Saunders said hundreds of acres of agricultural land across Wales will otherwise be switched from a focus on food production to electricity generation. The shadow climate secretary accused UK and […]
‘Crisis? What crisis?’: Labour politician criticises response to report on culture cuts
A Labour Senedd member criticised the Welsh Government’s response to an inquiry on the impact of cuts to culture and sport over the past decade. Alun Davies called for a clear recognition of the crisis occurring in the culture sector as a consequence of decisions taken by ministers in Cardiff Bay. Contributing to a […]