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AM raises emotional neglect and emotional abuse in Senedd

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rebecca evansREBECCA EVANS AM, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, has asked the Welsh Government to outline its approach to tackling parental emotional abuse and neglect following revelations by the NSPCC that increasing numbers of children and young people are turning to them for help because of this. 

Calling for a statement during Assembly Business, Mrs Evans said: “The NSPCC has revealed that UK-wide it had referred more than 5,300 complaints about parental emotional neglect or emotional abuse to the police or social services in the last year – this includes children being bullied, ignored and intimidated by their parents. “I would be keen for a statement outlining how the Welsh Government is ensuring that social services are equipped to recognise and deal with emotional neglect and abuse, and how the Welsh Government is supporting good parenting across society because this is not a problem restricted to one geographical or socioeconomic group. I am also keen to know details of the Welsh Government’s approach to the so-called ‘Cinderella law’ which would update the criminal offence of child cruelty to include emotional neglect and abuse as well as physical abuse.” The ‘Cinderella law’ is a proposal which follows a campaign by children’s charities. It would see parents who deny their children affection face prosecution for the first time in England and Wales. The proposed new law would make it a crime to deliberately harm a child’s ‘intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development’ and sits alongside the physical or sexual abuse of children with those found guilty facing up to ten years in jail. In response, the Minister responsible for Government Business, Lesley Griffiths, said: “Safeguarding children is, obviously, a key priority for the Welsh Government, and we continue to work very closely with statutory and voluntary agencies to help ensure that children are kept safe. You will be aware of the recent Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, which received Royal Assent last month. That will deliver a strong statutory framework to improve the outcomes for children and their families. However, we do not underestimate the impact of neglect on many children around Wales, which is completely unacceptable. “We have yet to receive the details of the UK Government’s proposals to update the law to include emotional neglect in the definition of child cruelty, but we are fully supportive of the principle of its proposed approach. We recognise too that parenting support is crucial for families and, obviously, we invest significantly in this through programmes such as Flying Start and Families First, whereby we provide a range of parenting interventions, which help parents to cope with demanding situations and then, hopefully, the families can develop resilience.”

 

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Road closed after serious crash on B4333 near Capel Iwan

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Motorcyclist airlifted to hospital as police arrest van driver and appeal for witnesses

A MOTORCYCLIST was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after a two-vehicle collision on the B4333 near Capel Iwan on Tuesday morning (Apr 8).

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were called to the Maudlands stretch of road shortly after 7:00am following a collision involving a white Mercedes Sprinter van towing a trailer and a black Triumph motorbike.

The rider of the motorbike was taken to hospital by air ambulance, where he is receiving treatment for serious injuries.

Police said the driver of the Mercedes van, a 45-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving. He remains in police custody.

The road was closed while collision investigators carried out enquiries at the scene.

Officers are now appealing for witnesses, and are asking anyone who saw either vehicle before the crash to come forward.

They are also urging anyone with dash-cam footage, CCTV or doorbell footage covering the stretch of road to contact police.

Information can be passed to Dyfed-Powys Police online, by email to [email protected], by calling 101, or by direct message via social media.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.

The reference number is DP-20260408-055.

 

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Climate and nature hustings to be held in Cardigan ahead of Senedd election

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West Wales Climate Coalition invites Ceredigion Penfro candidates to face voters’ questions on climate change and nature at public Guildhall event

CARDIGAN voters will have the chance to put their questions directly to Senedd election candidates at a climate and nature hustings taking place in the town next week.

The event, organised by West Wales Climate Coalition, will be held at the Guildhall in Cardigan on Thursday (Apr 16).

All parties have been invited to take part in the hustings, which will focus on climate change, nature and environmental policy in the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency.

Organisers say the event will give local people the chance to hear directly from candidates hoping to win seats in the upcoming Senedd election, while also pressing them on how they plan to respond to what campaigners describe as the growing climate and nature crisis.

Free food will be available from 6:00pm, provided by Street Food Morocco, with the hustings beginning at 6:30pm. Simultaneous translation will also be available.

The evening will be run in the style of a People’s Assembly, with attendees first breaking into small groups to discuss and agree questions before putting them to the panel. The event will conclude with candidates summing up their campaigns and environmental commitments.

Philip Hughes, of West Wales Climate Coalition, said: “We chose to host this event in Cardigan because the public are becoming increasingly worried about the environment, and often politicians underestimate the importance voters put on the climate and nature crisis.

“This Senedd election must be a turning point for nature and the climate crisis and we need ambitious and passionate leaders to make that happen.

“The upcoming Senedd election will be a defining moment for nature’s recovery, as the next Welsh Government’s actions can play a crucial role in contributing to a more liveable planet for us all and especially our children.”

Organisers say Wales remains one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world and warn that urgent political action is needed to tackle nature loss, climate change, pollution and waste.

They say one in six UK species is now at risk of extinction and argue that strong leadership will be needed from the next Welsh Government if that decline is to be reversed.

 

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Local Government

Slade Park pavements cleaned after residents raise safety concerns

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HAVERFORDWEST Castle Ward’s county councillor Thomas Tudor says action has now been taken to deal with slippery, moss-covered pavements at Slade Park after concerns were raised by local residents.

Residents contacted Cllr Tudor about the condition of the footpaths within the housing complex, warning that the thick build-up of moss was making the surfaces dangerous underfoot.

Photographs taken before the work was carried out show large sections of pavement covered in moss, creating a potentially hazardous surface for pedestrians.

Cllr Tudor said he was pleased to report that, following his intervention, the pavements have now been cleaned by Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire County Council Housing Services.

He praised the maintenance team for their work and said the clean-up would make a real difference for people living in the area.

Among those pleased with the result was local resident Cora Hackett, who was pictured after the work was completed.

 

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