Wales Carwyn Jones News

The horrific events in Woolwich yesterday will be condemned by communities across Wales.

I have today spoken to Brigadier Napier, the Army Commander for Wales, to express solidarity with the Armed Services and to send our deepest condolences to the family of the serviceman killed yesterday.

As Chair of the Faith Communities Forum, I am proud that Wales is a multi-cultural society that enjoys the experiences and vibrancy that this brings to our country.

Now is not the time to point fingers and play into the hands of these isolated attackers, but is a time to build on the strong unity of our communities and defy the very nature of these barbaric attacks.

• UK
• First Minister
• Carwyn Jones

The First Minister has warned the Wales TUC that what called the pain of public spending cuts is far from over. Carwyn Jones said that when the Chancellor delivers his spending review next month, there will be "more of the same" at best and "even more severe cuts" at worst.

Our budget is already £80 million lower in 2014 –15 than was in our indicative plans… and the Chancellor has given a very clear message that he intends to cut a further £1.5 billion from public sector budgets across the UK. We estimate that this could mean a further £55 million in spending cuts for Wales. We will need to prioritise funding to pay for those public services which we all rely on – health, education and job creation. All other areas of spending - and I mean all other areas - will need to looked at very carefully indeed.

Later, the Local Government Minister told AMs that councils would have to take action very soon to cope with further spending cuts. Lesley Griffiths said they could no longer be spared.

The next UK spending review will further reduce the Welsh Government budget. We will not be able to protect local authority budgets as in recent years. So the financial reductions experienced by local government in England signal the future reality for Wales. Authorities need immediate and radical short-term financial and service planning so as to align public services with the lower level of resources which wil be available in the future.

The Welsh Secretary was also in the Senedd to defend the measures set out in the Queen's Speech. David Jones said cutting public spending was both necessary and justified.

The legislative programme continues to deliver on our commitment to reduce the deficit left to us by the last Labour government and to rejuvenate the economy through sustainable private sector growth.

• Politics
• Carwyn Jones
• Lesley Griffiths

The First Minister Carwyn Jones says he's been given assurances that the Wales bill announced in the Queen's speech could be expanded to include the devolution of 'minor taxes' such as Air Passenger Duty and Stamp Duty which would allow the Welsh Government to borrow money for large-scale projects.

But he's given a cool response to planned changes to the way the Assembly is elected which is the initial purpose of the Draft Bill. A spokesperson said:

The First Minister welcomes the indication he has been given today that the Draft Wales Bill could be a potential vehicle for implementing the recommendations from Silk Part One. With regards to electoral arrangements, we believe these should be dealt with in Wales by Assembly Members

• Politics
• First Minister
• Carwyn Jones

The First Minister has told AMs that the inclusion of 15 Welsh players in the Lions squad is a good omen for a successful tour of Australia this summer.

History shows that the Lions do best when there is a large Welsh contingent.

Carwyn Jones was responding to the Leader of the Opposition, Andrew RT Davies, who said that having so many players selected was a great achievement for a small nation.

• Sport
• Carwyn Jones
• Andrew RT Davies

The First Minister's letter to the Chancellor proves there is political consensus in Cardiff Bay about the transfer of tax powers to Wales, according to the Welsh Liberal Democrat leader. Kirsty Williams says it 'removes any ambiguity about what the Welsh Government wants' following the Silk Report.

That's been echoed by the Opposition Leader Andrew RT Davies who says the First Minister 'missed a trick' by not getting all the party leaders to sign the letter.

But the Conservative leader said that a series of meetings he's had with the Chancellor and the Prime Minister have left him convinced that the transfer is 'complex' but 'deliverable.' There's some speculation that steps towards transferring tax powers could emerge in the Queen's Speech next week.

• Politics
• Carwyn Jones
• Andrew RT Davies

The First Minister has written to the Chancellor urging him to carry out within the next two years all the recommendations of a recent report which said the Welsh Government should be given some powers over tax.

Carwyn Jones has told George Osborne that acting quickly to 'enhance devolution' in Wales will help boost the arguments of pro-Union politicians who will be trying to persuade Scottish voters to say no to independence in the country's referendum next year.

In his letter, the First Minsters says that Wales can play a strong role in making the case for Scotland to remain part of the UK by proving that 'constructive reform is achievable' and that 'separatism is not the only alternative.'

• Politics
• Carwyn Jones
• George Osborne

First Minister Carwyn Jones has been telling AMs why he has asked experts in neonatal care to advise him on whether North Wales could have a 'fully self sufficient' service of its own. But the Welsh Liberal Democrats claim that the review is being sabotaged.

North Wales AM Aled Roberts said Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board wants to transfer facilities from Wrexham Maelor Hospital, though Welsh Government sources say that won't be allowed to happen whilst the review is taking place.

And the Shadow Health Minister, Darren Millar, said that instead of an end to uncertainty, it was 'yet another review and a further delay' in decision making by the First Minister.

Carwyn Jones took responsibility for the decision because his previous health minister, Lesley Griffiths, is AM for Wrexham and had a potential conflict of interest over services at her local hospital.

• Health
• Neonatal
• Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

First Minister Carwyn Jones has announced that the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health will review whether North Wales can eventually become 'fully self sufficient' in the delivery of specialised neonatal services. At present the sickest babies are treated in England.

Mr Jones had already said that plans for a formal arrangement with Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral must go ahead as an interim solution but he was asked if proposals to move other neonatal care from Wrexham to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd could be delayed so that options for the future were left open.

Will you say to Betsi [Cadwaladr University Health Board] can they put their ... plans on hold until the report and the decision has been made?

I will give thought to that ... I can see that ... any change in neonatal provision may have an affect on the review.

A Welsh Government source has since confirmed that nothing affecting neonatal care in Wrexham, Glan Clwyd and Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor should change until the outcome of the review is known. The First Minister expects to receive the report in September.

• Health
• Neonatal
• Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

The time has come for Carwyn Jones to end the uncertainty and commit to the retention of long-term neonatal care in North Wales.

The health board has ridden roughshod over the views of local communities and the expert opinions of clinicians have thus far been ignored.

North Wales' baby care services have been left hanging in the balance for far too long and I urge the First Minister to make a swift decision to scrap the Health Board's plans and get behind services in North Wales.

Axing long-term neonatal intensive care in North Wales must not be allowed to go ahead.

• Health
• Welsh Conservatives
• Neonatal