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MP welcomes new scheme to help young people back into work

Clwyd East MP Becky Gittins (pictured) has welcomed the Labour Government’s new investment to provide training and work opportunities for young people who are neither earning nor learning.

It means a major expansion of its Youth Guarantee scheme, backed by £820 million of new funding, to tackle the problem and give a brighter future to young people across Britain.

This investment aims to:

• Create 350,000 new workplace and training opportunities in sectors such as construction, health and social care, and hospitality.
• Expand Youth Hubs to every local area of Great Britain – over 360 in total – offering lifechanging support such as CV advice, skills training, mental health support, housing advice and careers guidance.
• Provide a new Youth Guarantee Gateway, giving almost 900,000 young people on Universal Credit a dedicated support session followed by four weeks of intensive coaching.
• Deliver a Jobs Guarantee for 18–21-year-olds who have been long-term unemployed, offering six months of fully subsidised paid employment.

Becky Gittins MP said: “I am delighted that the Work and Pensions Secretary has committed hundreds of millions of pounds of investment to the young people of this country. Too many in Clwyd East are being held back. With 285 young people stuck on benefits, this new package of support will provide opportunities for them to turn their lives around after the previous government neglected them. Labour has a plan to get Britain working, and this Youth Guarantee will make sure no young person is left behind.”

Work and Pensions Secretary, Pat McFadden, added: “Every young person deserves a fair chance to succeed. When given the right support and opportunities, they will grasp them. This funding is a downpayment on young people’s futures and the future of the country, creating real pathways into good jobs and providing work experience, skills training and guaranteed employment.”

Former mayor petitions for injuries unit at health centre

 

* Llangollen Health Centre, where the petition calls for a minor injuries unit.

A former Llangollen mayor and county councillor has started a petition calling for the Welsh Government and the local health board to fully fund a minor injuries unit for the town's health centre.

Stuart Davies says the Wrexham Maelor A&E unit is "overwhelmed" with waiting times of over 12 hours and believes outlying minor injuries units (MIUs) would help alleviate pressures on the system.

He adds: "I have started the petition because of anecdotal stories about the wait in A&E in Wrexham and my personal experience.

"About a month ago I had 12 hours waiting and watching the triage system at the entrance to A&E winnowing out the non-accident and emergency cases.

"People get minor injuries like I did quite a few years ago when I cut myself badly with an axe chopping kindling. 

"At the time Chirk was doing MIU. I went there at about 8pm, was seen promptly, cleaned up, then the flap of skin was glued up and dressed. 

"Another time, when the surgery in Llangollen was in Regent Street, I went there after I gashed my head. It was a similar thing with their MIU nurse, done and dusted in a timely and staff-efficient way."

Mr Davies went on: "When the planning was going on with the Betsi for Llangollen Health Centre they promised an MIU here.

"A proper MIU with an X-ray machine in Llangollen, triaging at its best, in the community, would take the strain off the Maelor, easy parking as well. Cuts and bruises done in the community it serves. Most importantly, fully funded by the Senedd."

Tehmeena Ajmal, chief operating officer at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: "We recognise the significant pressure being seen across emergency and urgent care services in North Wales.

"Our teams are working extremely hard to ensure people receive safe and timely care, and we continue to urge the public to use the right service for their needs — whether that’s through their GP practice, community pharmacy, or our Minor Injuries Units.

"In relation to calls for a Minor Injuries Unit in Llangollen, we understand the desire for more local provision."

* Click this link to see your petition:

https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/246805

MS raises concern for small family-run bus services

* Sam Rowlands speaks in the Senedd.

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, says he remains worried that changes to bus services in his region could seriously affect the future of small local operators. 

Mr Rowlands, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Transport and Infrastructure, was speaking in the Senedd during a discussion on Stage 3 of the Bus Services (Wales) Bill.

 

He claimed Labour’s proposals risked driving small, family-run bus operators out of business, failed rural communities, and did little to tackle congestion or improve passenger services.

 

He said: “As drafted it risks centralising control of our bus network in the hands of the Welsh Government without the safeguards needed to ensure real delivery. We've seen before what happens when centralisation isn't matched by competence. I'm concerned that this could become yet another costly exercise for the Welsh taxpayer, without bringing meaningful improvements on the ground.

 

“A significant concern is the lack of clarity for small and medium-sized operators. I've spoken to many across Wales, and they are worried. They feel shut out of the process and unsure of how they will fit into the new system as is proposed. These independent businesses have kept our communities connected for years, and their future should not be jeopardised by vague or rushed legislation.

 

“The Bill also appears heavily focused on urban areas, with little recognition of the challenges faced in rural Wales. These are the communities already struggling with infrequent or unreliable services, yet the legislation offers them very little reassurance.”

 

On behalf of the Welsh Conservatives, Mr Rowlands submitted several amendments to ensure the Bill works for small bus operators, addresses congestion and puts passenger voices at the heart of the legislation. However, they were not supported by fellow members.

 

Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales said he was pleased with and extremely grateful for the level of interest and support in relation to the intention behind the Bill, which is to improve the way that bus services are delivered across Wales. 

 

Illuminated Tractor Run lights up the town

Llangollen Young Farmers' Illuminated Tractor Run came beaming through the town to the cheers of hundreds of people this evening (Sunday).

Over 50 festively-decorated machines left the Pavilion field at 5pm passing through the town as they headed on a circular route around the Wrexham area before returning to Llangollen.

This year they were collecting funds for Baby Ollie's Heart Fund and Shooting Star Cancer Support.

Ollie was diagnosed at only two weeks old with a very rare and complex heart condition and mum Jasmin Roberts launched a fundraiser to pay for his surgery at Stanford, which will cost £1.5million.

Funeral of Owen Roberts to take place on December 16

 

His family has announced that the funeral of well-known and respected local musician Owen Roberts will be held at 1pm on Tuesday December 16 at St Collen's Church.

In a Facebook post they say: "We will be holding a celebration of Owen's life on the same day (from around 2.30pm) at the Pavilion which is very fitting as the Eisteddfod was very special to Owen. He was a great supporter of it and was involved for many years on the music side of things.

"We would love people to join us as we celebrate and remember Owen. Please feel free to share with those who knew him."

Eight-year-old kayaker goes viral after stunning performance

A short video of eight-year-old kayaker Seren Jones performing a technically demanding hand-roll has gone viral across multiple platforms, becoming a source of inspiration for youngsters everywhere.

Shared initially for the enjoyment of the wider water sports community, the clip - filmed during a Llangollen Canoe Club session at Plas Madoc pool - has now approached 3 million views on the centre’s Facebook page alone.

* For the full story in the Denbighshire Free Press, go to: Eight-year-old kayaker goes viral after stunning performance | Denbighshire Free Press