News
Shared Prosperity Fund leads to mutual hostility between Cardiff Bay and Westminster
THE UK GOVERMENT’S Shared Prosperity Fund announcement on Wednesday, April 13, renewed tension between Cardiff Bay and Westminster.
On Wednesday, the UK Government announced the Shared Prosperity Fund would provide £585m to local authorities in Wales over the next three years.
That money includes an allocation to Wales of £101m to deliver a UK adult numeracy programme called Multiply.
The Welsh Government says that slice of funding “risks duplicating Wales’s national curriculum and learning approaches.”
The £585m is not extra or new money. Instead, the UK Government funds replace EU funding lost by Wales thanks to Brexit.
The tension arises from the difference in how the UK Government will allocate the funds and how it’s calculated them.
Westminster claims the funding takes account of residual European funding already allocated to the Welsh Government and that the Shared Prosperity Fund tops up those funds. It implies awarding more funds would double-count the funding available in Wales.
The Welsh Government denies those claims and says the Shared Prosperity Fund leaves Wales £1bn short over the next three years.
It’s more likely that the truth lies somewhere between both positions.
A HISTORY OF WASTE AND BUREAUCRACY
The Welsh Government further says how the UK Government plans to allocate the funds undermines the devolution settlement.
EU funds were administered by the Welsh Government, which could set its priorities for their application.
To ensure money was spent where it wanted it spent, the Welsh Government built a network of third-party stakeholders and quangos.
There is no doubt that the Welsh Government blew vast quantities of EU money on vanity projects and snaffled money intended for discrete purposes for its own initiatives.
However, Westminster honoured the Welsh Government’s broad autonomy and kept its distance.
Wales got more out of the EU than it paid in. However, ahead of the EU Referendum, Stephen Crabb warned David Cameron that fact would not persuade Wales to vote to stay in the EU.
Mr Crabb criticised the Welsh Government for investing EU funds in the wrong places and on the wrong projects. He also heavily criticised Cardiff Bay for wasting money on bureaucracy.
Under Boris Johnson, the Conservative Government in Westminster has pulled the funding rug out from under the Welsh Government.
Instead of funding passing through the Welsh Government’s coffers before passing to third parties and thence to delivery at a local level, the Shared Prosperity Fund will pass directly to regional bodies and local authorities to use on priorities they set.
DECISIONS ABOUT WALES MUST BE MADE IN WALES
Plaid Cymru’s Westminster Leader, Liz Saville Roberts MP, condemned the UK Government’s decision.
“Just like decisions about Wales should be made in Wales, funding allocated to Wales should be spent by the government of Wales – not by Westminster and its out-of-touch Tory Ministers.
“The Tories promised in 2019 to replace EU cash with a programme that was ‘fairer’ and better tailored to Wales’s economy. They have broken that promise.
“Already below what was promised and failing even to match EU funding, this so-called Shared Prosperity Fund will leave Wales and our communities £1bn worse off.
“The Westminster Government has also resisted increasing regional support in line with the unprecedented inflation they are overseeing – which is exacerbating the cost-of-living crisis and squeezing household budgets and those of our local authorities and the Welsh Government.
“And where EU funding to Wales was allocated to communities by our government according to need, this post-EU regional funding regime depends on the ‘input’ of and advocacy by MPs when the Westminster Government is cutting the number of Welsh MPs by a fifth.
“Dividing Wales into 22 separate economic regions, reducing the number of MPs, and cutting corners with funding sets up the scheme to fail.
“This is another bitter reminder that Westminster will never work for Wales.”
WESTMINSTER DID NOT LISTEN CLAIMS ECONOMY MINISTER
Wales’s Economy Minister was equally disenchanted with the Shared Prosperity Fund.
Vaughan Gething MS said: “Although there has been some movement, the funding plans set out by the UK Government today do not reflect the distinct needs of Welsh communities. We are concerned that too little will reach those communities most in need. The Welsh Government proposed an alternative formula that would distribute funding more fairly across Wales according to economic need, but the UK Government rejected this.
“The proposed role of the Welsh Government also falls short of a genuine co-decision-making function essential to maximising investment and respecting devolution in Wales.
“On this basis, it has not been possible to endorse the UK Government’s approach on this Fund. We cannot support their decision to redirect economic development funds away from those areas where poverty is most concentrated.
“The dramatic reduction in the funds compounds their regressive decision. Wales would have received £1bn more had the UK Government delivered its pledge to replace EU funds for Wales in full.
“We have made it clear to the UK Government that this has implications for the role the Welsh Government can play in the next steps of delivery and implementation and the commitment of our resources.
“Put simply, we are facing a loss of more than £1bn in un-replaced funding over the next three years. As a result, there will be hard decisions to make for the Welsh Government and other institutions across business, higher education, further education, and the third sector which have benefitted from EU Structural Funds previously.”
CONSERVATIVES WELCOME SETTLEMENT
The Welsh Conservatives drew attention to the fact that Wales will be the largest beneficiary of the Shared Prosperity Fund.
They also highlight the following allocations within Wales:
- North Wales – £126 million.
- Mid Wales – £42 million.
- South West Wales – £138 million.
- South East Wales – £279 million.
The Welsh Conservative Shadow Economy Minister, Paul Davies MS, said: “The people of Wales voted to leave the European Union, and I am glad to see the UK Conservative Government delivering on the will of the people once again, despite years of obstruction by Labour in both Wales and Westminster.
“I am pleased to see that Wales will be the biggest beneficiary of this Fund.
“Contrary to what Labour ministers would have people believe, this investment will ensure that all parts of Wales will benefit following our departure from the EU.
“I would encourage all parts of Wales to take up the opportunity to deliver for their local communities building back better out of the pandemic.
“The Labour Government in Cardiff Bay needs to stop playing politics and work with the UK Government and local authorities to ensure that this funding is spent directly on supporting communities across Wales.”
Health
Over 1500 patients in Wales blocked from leaving hospital
THE First Minister Eluned Morgan has been pressured on her government’s failure to clear hospital beds in Wales, leading to delays for people seeking urgent medical care.
According to a report from BBC Wales, there are currently 1,600 patients across Wales waiting to be discharged from hospital compared to England where there are currently 12,000.
However, when comparing population sizes, it’s revealed that Wales is performing worse than its closest neighbour, with 0.05% of the population of Wales stuck in hospital beds compared to 0.02% in England.
The Welsh Labour government have been criticised for their failure to clear out backlogs in the system,
The Liberal Democrats have now called on the Welsh Government to provide urgent social care funding to local authorities to help alleviate pressures on the NHS in Wales.
Speaking in the Siambr on Tuesday, The Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds MS described how over twenty years of Welsh Labour government in Wales had let to a “desperate situation in our NHS, with services nearing breaking point.
Welsh Labours refusal to change their approach and fix a system clogged up by mismanagement is directly responsible for the current situation faced by thousands of patients.
Delays in discharging patients from hospitals are placing huge pressures on both staff and those awaiting care, but there is a way out of this mess and the answer lies in social care.
I have been told by numerous professionals working in healthcare that the first step towards fixing our NHS is made by providing local authorities with the funding to fix social care services within their respected areas.
By dedicating adequate investment into our social care services, we can make life easier for patients discharged from hospital while also lifting the strain on health services throughout Wales.”
News
Milford Haven School celebrates U14 Pembrokeshire Hockey Championship victory
MILFORD HAVEN SCHOOL’S Under-14 girls’ hockey team has been crowned Pembrokeshire Champions, delivering an outstanding performance and securing their title after a series of intense matches.
The team, consisting of 14 talented players, demonstrated impressive skill, resilience, and teamwork throughout the competition. Under the guidance of Miss Griffiths, they evolved their strategy and showcased their capabilities with each game.
A Day of Victories
The team’s first game against YBP was a close battle, with Milford Haven securing a narrow 1-0 win.
- Goal Scorer: Lola P
- Players’ Player: Annabelle G
- Coaches’ Player: Lilly J
In their second match, they faced Haverfordwest High and dominated with a strong midfield play and clinical finishes, achieving a 6-0 victory.
- Goals Scored: Olivia D (3), Ruby D, Lola P, Ameila C
- Players’ Player: Olivia D
- Coaches’ Player: Ruby D
After a brief interval, Milford Haven went on to face YHT, focusing on using the field’s width, which led them to a 4-0 win.
- Goals Scored: Lola P (2), Annabelle G, Olivia D
- Players’ Player: Annabelle G
- Coaches’ Players: Lola P and Macy B
In their final game of the day, the team played YGB, finishing with a decisive 7-0 win and showing relentless energy.
- Goals Scored: Ellie M (2), Olivia D (2), Annabelle G, Lilly J, Ruby D
- Players’ Player: Annabelle G
- Coaches’ Players: Lacey N and Ellie M
Miss Griffiths expressed her pride in the team’s achievements and her excitement for their future development: “It’s been fantastic to watch the team grow today, and I can’t wait to see how they progress.”
Thanks were also extended to Evans Coaches for sponsoring the team’s kit and ensuring safe travel throughout the competition.
News
St Katharine Church launches ‘Come and Make Angels’ challenge
As part of an ambitious “Come and Make Angels” challenge, the church has set a target to fill its sacred space with over 6,500 angels. Community members of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to participate by making and decorating their own angels. These creations will contribute to a record-breaking display that celebrates hope, unity, and the joy of the Advent season.
Workshops are being held every Saturday from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the St Katharine’s Church Hall, where participants can come together for a “creative Christmas cuppa” and join in this festive project. Free activities and refreshments will be provided, making it a wonderful opportunity for families and friends to create lasting holiday memories. Those under 14 are asked to attend with an adult or older sibling.
For those wanting to take part from home, the church has provided angel templates, along with simple instructions to cut, decorate, and assemble. Once completed, these angels can be brought to the church and added to the display, which will officially be unveiled on December 14.
The community is invited to visit and witness the spectacle of thousands of angels “flying” within the church, symbolising peace and goodwill.
In addition to the angel-making challenge, the Advent and Christmas calendar at St Katharine and St Peter’s is packed with events designed to bring joy and reflection during the festive season. All are welcome to attend and share in the warmth and spirit of Christmas.
For more information about the “Come and Make Angels” challenge, or other Advent and Christmas activities at the church, please visit the Roose Local Ministry Area Facebook page or contact Rev. Nicola Davies at 07508 915 432.
The church is also preparing to light up the Christmas season with its much-loved Annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, set to take place on Sunday, December 15, at 7:00pm.
And of course, the event promises to be even more magical this year, with a unique display of thousands of handmade angels crafted by members of the community.
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