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Politics

Senedd Members denounce ‘devastating’ benefit cuts

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SWEEPING £5bn cuts to benefits will have a devastating impact on disabled people in Wales, Senedd Members warned.

Sioned Williams, Plaid Cymru’s shadow social justice secretary, raised concerns about UK Government proposals for the biggest shake-up of the welfare system in a generation.

She said: “We have higher rates of disabled people of working age … and five of the UK’s ten local authorities with the highest rates of economic activity because of long-term illness.

“The impact of these unprecedented cuts to disability benefits on Wales will be devastating. Disability charities have called the plans immoral, unethical, shortsighted.”

Ms Williams told the Senedd people on personal independence payments (Pip) could lose support of between £4,200 and £6,300 a year, according to the Resolution Foundation.

During topical questions on March 19, she raised the Bevan Foundation’s warning that the cuts will have a “huge and concerning” impact on the 275,000 people in Wales receiving Pip.

She said Disability Wales has cautioned that the cuts will leave many people considerably worse off, with Mind saying the reforms could exacerbate a mental health crisis.

Ms Williams added: “The Child Poverty Action Group said it would undermine efforts to tackle child poverty, Trussell says it will undermine Labour’s promises to cut food bank use, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said it will make it harder for people to qualify for support.”

She pointed to Oxfam Cymru’s calls for Welsh ministers to demand UK colleagues tax the wealthiest in society to combat poverty and improve equality.

Addressing the Welsh Government benches, she said: “This cut to the income of Wales’ poorest citizens is what you and your government spent the past 14 years denouncing.”

Ms Williams asked: “What contingency measures are you considering to mitigate the devastation that is soon to be unleashed by these cuts?”

Jane Hutt said the Welsh Government would carefully consider the implications of proposed reforms and respond to a consultation to ensure disabled people’s voices are heard.

Social justice secretary Jane Hutt

The social justice secretary said the First Minister has written to Liz Kendall, the UK work and pensions secretary, asking what analysis has been done on the impact of cuts in Wales.

She told the Senedd: “It is important that we do all we can within our powers to support people in Wales and we will continue to do so. We want to make sure that people who can work are able to find employment and receive the support they need.

“But we agree the social security system needs to ensure it’s effectively supporting people into work but offering an effective financial safety net for people who are unable to work.”

Ms Hutt said the Welsh Government would soon publish a ten-year plan on disability rights, aiming to remove barriers and make long-term positive change.

Altaf Hussain, the Conservatives’ shadow equalities secretary, welcomed the move to tackle the “ballooning” welfare bill and place the system on a more sustainable footing.

Conservative MS Altaf Hussain
Conservative MS Altaf Hussain

Dr Hussain said: “Health-related benefits for people of working age reaches a staggering £71bn a year, far more than we spend on the police and defending our nation.

“It has been clear for some time that reform is no longer optional.”

Ms Hutt stressed the need to influence the proposals through the consultation and raised a forthcoming four-nations meeting with the Department for Work and Pensions.

She said: “It’s been set up to discuss areas of mutual interest such as how to reform the benefits system and to ensure that work always pays. This is where we can contribute.”

Ms Hutt pointed to proposals for a “right to try” principle, so work does not lead to an immediate reassessment nor an award review.

Labour’s Alun Davies called for a clear focus on eradicating poverty and reducing inequality. “All government policy, in Wales and the UK, should be driven by that objective,” he said.

Labour MS Alun Davies
Labour MS Alun Davies

Plaid Cymru’s Mabon ap Gwynfor accused Labour of pushing more austerity.

He said:  “We have a Labour party in Wales that is so servile, so lacking in backbone that they will not stand up to these people in London who will force people into extreme poverty.

“We’ve heard Save the Children say today already that if we think child poverty is poor in Wales at the moment, it will get worse.”

News

Iconic Tenby seafront hotel renovation to take place

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WORKS to improve the appearance of a prominent Tenby hotel which overlooks both Caldey Island and St Catherine’s Island have been backed by the national park.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Martin Phillips of Clarence House Hotel, The Esplanade sought permission for to replace existing signage with “newer, less obtrusive signs,” including a change of the front signage for one incorporating the Clarence’s name and logo.

Tenby Town Council backed the proposals, saying it was a “markedly improved upgrade on the Grade-II-listed hotel, in the town’s conservation area.

An officer report recommending approval said: “There are five new signs proposed as part of this application. These will aim to replace the existing and dated signage currently present on the Clarence House Hotel.

“The Building Conservation Officer has supported the application and has stated that the designs are a clear improvement on the existing situation. The proposed signage is to replace the existing signage with a more modern design; however, this will not impact the heritage of the listed building and has a positive impact on the street scene. The designs are appropriate in terms of design, scale and positioning.

“[Policy] requires that the identity and character of the town and village is not lost. The proposed signage does not compromise the existing character of the building or the streetscape and is therefore acceptable.

“The proposal for new signage for the Clarence House Hotel will have a beneficial impact on the street scene and the conservation area of Tenby. The proposal adheres to all relevant national, regional and local legislation and policy.”

The application was approved by park planners.

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Business

Huge slurry lagoon to be built in Pembrokeshire countryside

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PLANS to build a new slurry lagoon at a 650-dairy herd Pembrokeshire farm have been given the go-ahead.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Richard Morris of Bowett Ltd sought permission for the construction of the lagoon, and associated works, at Quoits Hill Farm, Bentlass Road, Hundleton, near Pembroke.

A supporting statement through agent Cynllunio RW Planning Ltd stressed the applicant does not intend to increase livestock numbers on farm as a result of this 60 by 35 metre development.

“The Morris Family farm at Quoits Hill Farm and specialise in dairy farming. The farm is home to approximately 650 dairy cows plus followers. The herd is autumn calving with milk sold to Laprino. The home farm is grass based and extends to over 300 acres, with more off lying land utilised for growing winter forage.

“The family have invested significantly in recent years in on farm infrastructure to include a rotary milking parlour, silage clamps and covered feed yards.”

It added: “The proposed development seeks to increase the farms slurry storage capacity to above the five-month storage required by NVZ regulations. The existing slurry store and slurry handling facilities are not adequate to comply with the new regulations.”

It went on to say: “The proposed store will provide the farm with 6452 cubic meters of storage capacity (minus freeboard) which will equate to over 171 days storage.  It is proposed to use the existing field slurry store as a lightly fouled water store to collect the parlour washings and reduce the size of the store required. Slurry will continue to be scrapped into the existing yard store and then pumped to the new store when required. This work will be monitored closely to reduce the risk of any leakage.”

It concluded: “The proposed development will enable slurry to be spread during the growing season rather than during more difficult weather conditions in the winter. This will be of benefit to farm efficiency and the wider environment.”

The application was conditionally approved.

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News

Huge slurry lagoon to be built in Pembrokeshire countryside

Published

on

PLANS to build a new slurry lagoon at a 650-dairy herd Pembrokeshire farm have been given the go-ahead.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Richard Morris of Bowett Ltd sought permission for the construction of the lagoon, and associated works, at Quoits Hill Farm, Bentlass Road, Hundleton, near Pembroke.

A supporting statement through agent Cynllunio RW Planning Ltd stressed the applicant does not intend to increase livestock numbers on farm as a result of this 60 by 35 metre development.

“The Morris Family farm at Quoits Hill Farm and specialise in dairy farming. The farm is home to approximately 650 dairy cows plus followers. The herd is autumn calving with milk sold to Laprino. The home farm is grass based and extends to over 300 acres, with more off lying land utilised for growing winter forage.

“The family have invested significantly in recent years in on farm infrastructure to include a rotary milking parlour, silage clamps and covered feed yards.”

It added: “The proposed development seeks to increase the farms slurry storage capacity to above the five-month storage required by NVZ regulations. The existing slurry store and slurry handling facilities are not adequate to comply with the new regulations.”

It went on to say: “The proposed store will provide the farm with 6452 cubic meters of storage capacity (minus freeboard) which will equate to over 171 days storage.  It is proposed to use the existing field slurry store as a lightly fouled water store to collect the parlour washings and reduce the size of the store required. Slurry will continue to be scrapped into the existing yard store and then pumped to the new store when required. This work will be monitored closely to reduce the risk of any leakage.”

It concluded: “The proposed development will enable slurry to be spread during the growing season rather than during more difficult weather conditions in the winter. This will be of benefit to farm efficiency and the wider environment.”

The application was conditionally approved.

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