Local MP welcomes Spring Budget measures

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes (pictured) has welcomed yesterday's Spring Budget announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak MP.

He says it provides billions of pounds to support businesses and families through the pandemic and invests in North Wales.

It contained details of:  

1.  An extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme until the end of September, ensuring it continues to support employers as they begin to reopen. Two further grants will also be available to self-employed people – and the newly self-employed will also be eligible for both grants.

2. A continuation of the temporary Universal Credit uplift for a further six months.

3. New Recovery Loans and a new Restart grant of up to £18,000 to help businesses as they reopen. Support for the sports, arts and culture sectors will also be increased by a further £700 million as they begin to reopen.

4. Extending the business rates holiday, VAT cut and stamp duty holiday. There will also be a new mortgage guarantee scheme from April which backs 95 per cent mortgages.

5. Opening up the new Levelling Up Fund for its first round of bids, worth £4.8 billion across the United Kingdom. The budget also announces 45 new Town Deals to help spread opportunity across the country.

6. A new Help to Grow scheme to boost productivity of small businesses, to ensure they are embracing the latest technology and management training.

8.   Additional funding for Wales of £740 million.

Simon Baynes MP said: “The Budget provides businesses and families in Clwyd South with the support and reassurance they need to get through the pandemic.

“With £407 billion of support for families, jobs and businesses, it is right that the Chancellor is honest with the British people about our public finances.

Barbara Hughes, Welsh Conservative Senedd Candidate for Clwyd South, said: “As we look ahead, this Budget lays the foundations of our future economy – driving up productivity, creating green jobs, supporting small businesses, and levelling up for our communities here in Clwyd South and across the rest of Wales.”

County councillors urge support for crisis-hit railway

 

Llangollen’s two county councillors have spoken of their sadness at the financial crisis which the town’s heritage railway is currently going through.

And Graham Timms and Melvyn Mike reveal they have asked county council officers to give what help they can to the safeguard its future.

As revealed by llanblogger earlier this week, the board of Llangollen Railway PLC asked its bank to call in receivers after it plunged into insolvency to the tune of about £350,000 and could not legally continue trading.

Both the area’s MP, Simon Baynes, and Senedd Member, Ken Skates, have expressed their sympathy and support for the railway.

Now the two county councillors say in a joint statement issued yesterday evening: “It is with sadness that we heard about the serious financial difficulties of the Llangollen Steam Railway.

“It has been the ‘beating heart’ of our town and a vital part of the local economy over many years. It is an iconic image in our part of the Dee valley.

“We have written to Denbighshire County Council urging them to give whatever help they can to support the railway to ensure its long term future. 

“Officers have assured us that they understand the huge value that the railway brings to the area and that they are fully committed to make a genuine effort to follow all appropriate avenues to support it through this difficult time."

Although no further statement has been issued by the board, it is understood receivers have already vissited the railway and that their crucial report on its financial situation will be available early next week when the board is expected to put out a press release. 

Meanwhile, a concerned local resident has contacted well-known music mogul and railway enthusiast Rick Wakeman to get his reaction to the problems facing Llangollen. 

Mr Wakeman replied to the resident’s email: “Very sad to read this. I haven’t actually visited the railway but certainly know of it. 

“Wales has such a tremendous history of heritage railways and from what I can gather, they all make a decent profit enabling them to run efficiently ... I hope it manages to survive. These heritage railways are so special.” 

Llangollen woman appears in party political broadcast

* Eleri Edwards appears in the party political broadcast.

A voter from Llangollen appears in a new Welsh Labour political broadcast to give her reasons for backing the party in May's elections.

Eleri Edwards, 83, is one of just four people from across Wales interviewed for the film which airs for the first time today.

The retired consultant anaesthetist says she's supporting Labour because of its "cautious and careful" approach to coronavirus.

And she adds: "This pandemic has shown how Wales can lead the way – trusting those institutions which understand the communities they serve. Welsh Labour have told it like it is. They’ve kept people safe and taken the difficult decisions necessary - even when it was unpopular.”  

Originally from Rhos, Eleri has lived in Llangollen for more than 30 years and is a governor at Ysgol y Gwernant.

She worked at Wrexham Maelor for 40 years and now lives on Abbey Road. Her son Owen and daughter Catrin both also live in Llangollen.

In the broadcast First Minister Mark Drakeford says: "It is stories like theirs that inspire me and my Government every day as we chart a path together out of this pandemic, determined to use the lessons we have learnt to move Wales forward." 

Classroom return chance ahead of Easter break, says Minister

Education Minister Kirsty Williams has today announced plans for more pupils in Wales to have the opportunity to return to the classroom ahead of the Easter break. 

Speaking in a video released on her Twitter channel the Minister confirmed that schools would be given the opportunity to welcome back learners in years 7, 8 and 9.

The aim will be to give learners the opportunity to check in with teachers, with a focus on support for wellbeing, and readiness for a full return to school after the Easter holidays.

The planned return of younger secondary school pupils would be in addition to all primary pupils, who are expected to return from 15 March, along with learners in years 10 and 12, those in exam years and students doing similar qualifications in colleges.

Younger primary pupils have been able to return to their classrooms since Monday, 22 February.

The plans will be subject to the regular three-week review of coronavirus regulations by the Welsh Government on Friday 12 March.

The Minister said:

“Opening up education is a top priority for the Welsh Government and I am pleased to share some positive news on that front today.

“This is the second week for our youngest pupils to be back in school and I have seen first-hand what a difference this is already making – thank you once again to everyone who is making this possible.

“We have already announced that from the 15th March, if the scientific advice still says it is safe to do so, all remaining primary school children will start to return to school, along with those in exam years and students doing similar qualifications in colleges and work-based learning. There will also be flexibility for those in years 10 and 12.

“I have also shared my intention to get all learners back to schools, colleges and training providers after the Easter break.

“Today, I am able to confirm our intentions to go even further, even earlier, and give schools the opportunity to welcome back learners in years 7, 8 and 9 before the Easter break.

“This would be to give learners the opportunity to check-in with teachers, with a focus on support for wellbeing, and readiness for a full return to school after Easter.

“I want to make clear now that this will not be a full return to school for years 7, 8 and 9 before Easter. The focus before Easter will be on learners who are undertaking qualifications, especially those in Years 11 and 13, and those studying practical vocational qualifications.

“We will publish full guidance for schools from 9am today, that will help with all the necessary planning.

“We will also be organising more virtual sessions for heads, which I know you have found useful, and I will share details on social media.

“I would like to thank all of you once again for following the rules, driving down the transmission of the virus, and for giving us even more headroom to get learners back to our schools and colleges.

“Together we will keep Wales safe and together we will keep Wales learning.”

More cash support pledged for leisure and tourism firms

The Welsh Government has today announced a further £30 million for hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses affected by ongoing coronavirus restrictions.

It has also confirmed that pending the outcome of the next review on 12 March, a further £150 million in grants could be made available to firms, including micro businesses, through the Welsh Government’s Non Domestic Rates (NDR) scheme if coronavirus restrictions are extended.

The latest round of the Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience Fund will see £30m of targeted support being made available to support small, medium and large businesses in the hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors as well as related supply chain businesses.

The funding is targeted to businesses employing ten or more staff in recognition of the relatively higher level of operating costs that these businesses face.

However, should restrictions be extended at the 12 March review, the £150m that will be made available would see businesses in the hospitality, tourism, leisure and non-essential retail sectors that pay non-domestic rates receiving an additional payment of up to £5k regardless of the number of employees they have.

From today, businesses in the hospitality, tourism and leisure sectors can access the eligibility checker and calculator on the Business Wales website to help them work out what support they can expect to qualify for in this latest round and to understand the detail they will need to make an application.

Minister for the Economy, Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said: “This last year has been incredibly difficult for everyone and we are aware of the significant challenges facing our fantastic hospitality, tourism and leisure sector.

“The focus of this latest £30m round of funding is to target further support at the small, medium and large businesses in these sectors with the specific aim of protecting as many jobs as possible.

“The Welsh Government’s support to businesses throughout the pandemic has been the most generous anywhere in the UK and I am pleased that we have been able to get over £1.9bn directly into the bank accounts of our businesses.

“With restrictions likely to continue for a little while longer we are actively reviewing our options for providing further support. I am pleased to confirm that we have now made provision for a further £150m of support for businesses paying non-domestic rates should restrictions be extended at the next coronavirus review on 12th March which would include support for micro businesses."

Pandemic stops 2021 Llangollen Walking Festival in its tracks

 

The 2021 Llangollen Walking Festival 2021 has been cancelled due to the pandemic.

The bad news is revealed in the latest newsletter by organisers of the popular event which usually draws hundreds of walking fans to the town.

The update says: “We've just finished a meeting where we reviewed the details and dates of the staged 'unlocking' process and how this impacts on our ability to run our event in 2021.

“Progress with COVID-19 vaccinations are going extremely well but not all of our potential visitors will have had their second vaccine jabs by May 1 when we plan to meet up. 

“We believe it unwise for us to encourage the gathering of large groups albeit outdoors and encourage people to travel great distances.

“It is also very unlikely local accommodation, steam railway, pubs and cafés will be open.

“We had hoped to consult on a date change and move to later in the year, however, when we reviewed the calendar, there were no viable options.

“So, it is with great sadness ​we are cancelling our festival​ for 2021.”

The update adds: “Good news - we hope to offer some Offa's Dyke Path 50th anniversary walks later in 2021.

“If all goes well, we plan to run five - coach assist - one-day-walks over the 50 miles section between Chirk Mill and Prestatyn which is all with-in the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley AONB.

“As more information becomes available you will be the first to know... stay safe and keep walking.”

​

Coronavirus update from Welsh Government

Latest coronavirus update from the Welsh Government (dated yesterday) is:

• Finance Minister Rebecca Evans has unveiled a final Budget with plans to protect public services and the Welsh economy, providing timely support to protect lives and livelihoods in the months ahead.
• Building on the £320m reconstruction package announced last October, this Budget delivers a further injection of £224.5m capital funding to support our reconstruction efforts and stimulate demand and jobs.
• This investment includes an additional £147m to ramp up housing programmes and an extra £30m to accelerate the ambitious 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme, helping to support economic growth, sustainable jobs and training opportunities across the sector.
• A Budget to protect public services and the economy: https://gov.wales/a-budget-to-protect-public-services-and-boost-wales-economy
• Local government settlement: https://gov.wales/written-statement-final-local-government-settlement-2021-22
• Vaccination weekly update: https://gov.wales/covid-19-vaccination-programme-weekly-update-2-march-2021
• Latest Coronavirus Infection Survey results: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-covid-19-infection-survey 

Coronavirus in numbers

• The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 170 newly reported cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 203,988 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.
• Sadly, there was one further death reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 5,344.
• These figures are updated daily at: https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary

• The number of people who have received a Covid vaccine in Wales is being published every weekday by Public Health Wales.
• The latest figures show 933,485 people have received their first dose.
• And 111,716 people have received two doses of the vaccine.
• https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary
• If you think you’ve been missed off the vaccine appointment list: https://gov.wales/get-your-covid-19-vaccination-if-you-think-you-have-been-missed
• The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has today published statistics on provisional weekly deaths, including deaths involving Covid-19, for the week ending 19 February 2021.
• The total number of deaths involving Covid-19 in Welsh residents up to 19 February was 7,458.
• Of the deaths registered in the week ending 19 February, there were provisionally 179 involving Covid-19 in Welsh residents. This was 37 fewer than the previous week.
• The number of registered deaths involving Covid has declined for five successive weeks.
• For the period 29 February 2020 to 19 February 2021, there were a total of 5,541 excess deaths (17%) above the five-year average. The excess death rate for Wales was lower than in England.
• The numbers reported by ONS are different from those from Public Health Wales because of different reporting methods and timing. The ONS figures are higher because they include some extra cases.
• https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsregisteredweeklyinenglandandwalesprovisional/latest

What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus

• The symptoms of coronavirus are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change in smell or taste.
• If you have symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, you must self-isolate at home for 10 days from when your symptoms started.
• Guidance about self-isolating: https://gov.wales/self-isolation-stay-home-guidance-households-possible-coronavirus
• Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
• You should arrange to have a test to see if you have coronavirus once you are self-isolating. You can book a test at https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test
• You should continue to isolate while waiting for a test result.
• Got a question about what to do if you’ve got coronavirus? Visit https://gov.wales/self-isolation-stay-home-guidance-households-possible-coronavirus 

Where to find the latest information

• Information about the new national measures in place in Wales is available at: https://gov.wales/alert-level-4 and the roadmap in and out of alert levels is at: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-control-plan-alert-levels-wales

• Information about coronavirus is available on the Welsh Government’s website at https://gov.wales/coronavirus and https://llyw.cymru/coronafeirws
• Questions about Covid-19 vaccines? Visit: https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/covid-19-vaccination-information/ and https://gov.wales/vaccine-coronavirus
• Want to join Wales’ vaccination team? https://gov.wales/join-covid-19-vaccination-team
• If you think you’ve been missed off the vaccine appointment list: https://gov.wales/get-your-covid-19-vaccination-if-you-think-you-have-been-missed
• Information about support for businesses is available at the Business Wales website https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/
• The Welsh Government holds a regular media briefing about coronavirus. These are on-the-record, on-camera and supported by a BSL interpreter. These are held at 12.15pm, broadcast on BBC One Wales and live-streamed on our @WelshGovernment Twitter channel.