Politics

New push for Wales-only Covid Inquiry

Published

3 years ago

August 25, 2021

Jon Coles

PRESSURE is mounting on the Welsh Government to call its own public inquiry into the way it handled the Covid pandemic.

Calls for an independent public inquiry have increased since the Senedd went into recess.

However, those calls got added impetus on Tuesday (Aug 24), when the Scottish Government announced it would hold its own Scotland-only inquiry.

The Scottish inquiry is due to start by the end of this year.

By contrast, the Welsh Government says there is no need for a separate Welsh inquiry,

Welsh Government ministers say Wales will be covered sufficiently in a UK-wide inquiry commissioned by the Westminster government.

However, that inquiry will not even begin until March next year.

The Westminster-led inquiry is widely regarded as an attempt to kick any potentially critical findings into the long grass and beyond the next General Election.

Opposition parties have been firm in their calls for a Wales-only report.

Plaid Cymru Health and Care spokesperson Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said: “For over a year Plaid Cymru has asked for a Wales-only public inquiry into the handling of the pandemic.

“The Labour Government in Cardiff has instead opted to have a Welsh chapter in a UK-wide inquiry.

Following the Scottish Government decision, Rhun ap Iorweth said: “The Welsh Government has no excuse not to do the same.”

He continued: “The Welsh Government has got to take responsibility for its actions – good and bad, and there should be no avoidance of detailed scrutiny.

In a letter sent to the First Minister, Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies wrote: “Now that the Scottish First Minister has announced that there will be such an inquiry in Scotland, the Welsh Government is the only government in Great Britain that will not subject itself to such scrutiny.

“In my view, this is unacceptable.

“Nobody can doubt that you and your cabinet have worked extremely hard since the beginning of Covid-19, but there are questions that need answering and lessons that need to be learnt, particularly if Wales is to be fully prepared for a future pandemic.

“I believe it is imperative that families who have lost loved ones have the answers they deserve, and it is also important that your government is recognised for its successes as well as its failures.”

And from those families comes a fresh plea.

The Covid Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru Group said: ‘We send our congratulations to our counterparts at Covid Bereaved Families for Justice Scotland and Aamer Anwar for helping secure a Scotland-specific inquiry this year.

“Wales has suffered a huge loss of life from Covid-19 and as the families left behind, we feel that we deserve the same level of scrutiny.

“The decision in Scotland only reinforces the need for Mark Drakeford to hold a Wales-specific inquiry.”

Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, proposed a different tack.

He drew attention to the different ways in which the UK’s nations integrate health and social care.

“A public inquiry will clearly flag up certain issues where things have gone wrong, but it won’t necessarily reflect the collaboration and support the care sector has had from the Welsh Government.

“The only way to do that would be to have a separate review to report into an overall UK-wide inquiry, along with similar reviews in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

“An inquiry of this nature should not be about creating a blame culture – it should be about learning lessons about how to do better if we are struck by another pandemic.”

Head of Asthma UK, and British Lung Foundation Wales said: “During the Pandemic, Welsh Ministers took decisions relating to the Welsh NHS and Care Sector. The nuance of such decisions would be lost in a UK wide inquiry into the pandemic response.

“If the Welsh Government is able to forge its own path in terms of the rules we follow, it is vital that the decisions that same government have made are scrutinised in a Wales specific COVID-19 inquiry.

“The past 18 months have seen a greater awareness of devolved responsibility than ever before.

Such accountability must be embraced rather than handed off to a government that does not take decisions in this field for the people of Wales.”

On August 2, The Herald asked the Welsh Government for a specific comment on why the Welsh Government does not support a Wales-only Covid enquiry.

Although other requests for comments and responses sent the same day were answered, that one was not.

Charity

Kurtz goes Jurassic as Pantosaurus visits Senedd NSPCC Campaign

Published

8 mins ago

November 14, 2024

Richard Lewis

THIS WEEK, the NSPCC’s annual campaign to safeguard children from sexual abuse reached the steps of the Senedd.

Pantosaurus, the friendly mascot of the NSPCC’s PANTS campaign, appeared to raise awareness among Members of the Senedd and the wider public about the vital importance of child safety. The campaign encourages parents and carers to talk openly with young children about risks and protective measures.

The PANTS campaign is built around five key child protection messages:

Privates are private.
Always remember your body belongs to you.
No means no.
Talk about secrets that upset you.
Speak up; someone can help.

After meeting Pantosaurus, Samuel Kurtz MS, Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, expressed his support for the campaign

He said: “I wholeheartedly support this important NSPCC initiative. Since its launch in 2013, it has empowered over six million families to discuss this sensitive subject.

“This issue affects communities across Wales, so promoting the five principles of PANTS is essential for everyone in Pembrokeshire and beyond.”

Farming

Welsh Government could overturn Ceredigion cattle breeder’s house plans

Published

15 mins ago

November 14, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CEREDIGION councillor-backed scheme by one of the top breeders of Limousin cattle in the UK to build a home near Lampeter could be overturned following a call for it to be decided by Welsh Government, planners heard.

At the October meeting of Ceredigion County Council’s development management committee, the application, by Mr and Mrs Dylan Davies for a four-bedroom rural enterprise workers’ dwelling at Blaenffynnon, Llanwnnen, Lampeter, where they run a calving and cattle rearing business, was backed despite an officer recommendation for refusal.

One of the issues in the report for members was the financial test of whether the scheme was affordable, based on an estimate the building would cost some £292,000 to construct; at a 25-year mortgage amounting to £20,400 a year.

The size of the proposed building – which the applicants say include a need to entertain and occasionally accommodate clients – was also given as a reason for failing the TAN6 policy test, being larger than affordable housing guidance, at 202 square metres rather than a maximum of 136.

Members have previously heard the applicant breeds high-value show cattle for embryo transplanting at the well-established business, with one bull alone selling for £32,000 last year.

It had previously been recommended for refusal at the September meeting, but was deferred for a ‘cooling-off’ period to seek further details along with potential changes to the size of the scheme.

At the October meeting, members backed approval despite officers saying the size proposed could actually include a two-person bungalow in addition to the normal maximal ‘affordable’ size.

At the start of the November meeting, members heard a request for the scheme to be ‘called-in’ for Welsh Government final decision had been made, meaning Ceredigion planners’ approval could potentially be overturned if the ‘call-in’ is agreed.

Business

Kurtz addresses Employment and Skills Convention

Published

9 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Richard Lewis

SENEDD Member Samuel Kurtz kicked off an Employment and Skills Convention at the Cardiff City Stadium recently, organised by the Learning and Skills Institute. The event sought to unite organisations, businesses, and training providers to discuss critical issues surrounding employment and skills development across Wales.

The convention featured a panel of distinguished speakers, including local Samuel Kurtz MS, who is the Shadow Minister for the Economy and Energy; Rhys Morris, Managing Director of The Busy Group; and Megan Hooper, Director for Employment and Skills at Serco. Together, they explored strategies for increasing employment and the positive impacts this can have on individuals, young people, and the broader community.

Following the event, Samuel Kurtz said: “It was a privilege to speak at this convention and to underscore the vital role of collaboration between government and the private sector in aligning skills and training with the evolving needs of our economy.

“By enhancing skills and creating jobs, we can foster a resilient workforce that will not only meet today’s demands but also drive essential green infrastructure projects, ensuring a prosperous future for young people in Wales.

“Welsh Government Ministers must acknowledge their role in addressing high levels of economic inactivity. Introducing employment targets is essential to support people in re-entering the workforce and contributing to Wales’ economic growth.”