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Jeremy Miles launches his mission for Wales’ future

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WELSH Labour leadership candidate Jeremy Miles will today (Thursday 1st February) launch his manifesto for transforming Wales’ future, calling it a “plan to make Wales a more prosperous and compassionate country” and pledging to make sustainable economic growth his government’s top priority.

The manifesto – Our Mission for Wales’ Future – sets out his ambitions to give every person and community the chance to thrive, fulfil their potential and live the life they want to live.

Speaking about his pledge to make growing the economy sustainably his number one priority, he will say: “There is no route to the more compassionate country that we want to be which doesn’t pass through the more prosperous country that we need to be.”

The manifesto commits to a series of economy-focused measures including an expansion of energy efficient retrofit for existing homes and buildings; creating a national Future Skills map, anticipating future skills needs; and a review of business support to ensure its delivery is fit for the future of the Welsh economy.

The government will explore financial incentives for new and recent graduates to set up businesses and work in Wales, and a new “Make it in Wales” campaign will attract more talent to Wales and bring Welsh diaspora home.

Other stand out measures include commitments to improve women’s health outcomes, help for renters to buy, reverse the decline in biodiversity in nature, and lift children out of poverty. Miles promises to:

  • Refocus the Welsh Government’s approach to women’s health, informed by the voices of women. It will look to provide a menopause consultation at the age of 40 and a public health information campaign for employers on supporting women through menopause.
  • Develop a new ‘Rent to Own’ scheme to help renters buy a home.
  • Ensure the Welsh Government is a ‘nature positive government’ through a package of ambitious biodiversity measures, including a statutory target to reverse the decline in biodiversity, with an improvement in the status of species and ecosystems by 2030 and their clear recovery by 2050.
  • Work with an incoming UK Labour government on a “freedom from poverty” plan for Wales with a particular focus on child poverty.

Miles plans to use public budgets to support well-paid green jobs, foster a culture of innovation to cut NHS waiting lists and drive up the use of digital technology in health and care, investing more in education to improve school standards, build more homes by unlocking land and unblocking the planning system, deliver fairer fares and better public transport, and strengthen Welsh democracy by giving the people of Wales a stronger voice.

Speaking ahead of the manifesto launch in Rhyl later today, Jeremy Miles said: “The manifesto I’m publishing today sets out a clear mission for Wales’ future. A government I lead will focus on the day-to-day priorities of people across Wales, and the party that I lead will be rooted in our communities, bringing new and imaginative ideas forward that reflect the day-to-day experiences of people across our nation.

“This contest isn’t about me – or indeed any individual. It’s about what Wales needs to do over the next decade to change our trajectory and flourish in a new world of changing technology and disruption.

“While the current budget situation poses real limitations on new spending initiatives in the short term, this will not limit our ambitions nor detract from the need to be radical and imaginative. So from day one, I will bring a sense of urgency and purpose to taking forward the proposals in this manifesto that will help make Wales the prosperous and compassionate country we want it to be in the years ahead.

“That’s my vision for Wales – let’s get on with it.”

Community

A quarter of Welsh workers struggle to pay bills despite overtime

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A QUARTER of Welsh workers are struggling to pay their bills, while nearly 40% say their salaries do not cover their financial goals, such as buying a home or saving for retirement, new research has found.

The study, conducted by recruitment firm Reed, also revealed that 30% of employees in Wales are unhappy with their pay. Of those, 63% said their wages had not kept up with the cost of living, while 46% blamed low pay within their industry.

Nearly 40% of workers reported working overtime, putting in an average of 6.2 extra hours per week. Among them, 44% said they had no choice due to excessive workloads, while 25% struggled to ‘switch off’ from work.

PAY DISPARITY

Despite working beyond their contracted hours, many employees are not being compensated. Only 21% said they were paid for overtime, while another 21% were able to accrue extra hours. Alarmingly, 44% reported receiving no compensation at all.

Becky Hole, Regional Director at Reed, said: “With 28% of Wales’ population classed as economically inactive, the labour market is tight. It may well be that those who are working feel they need to pick up the slack or work extra hours to compensate for staff shortages.

“It’s clear that Wales has a hardworking population, but the research highlights that many do not feel properly compensated. The extra unpaid hours aren’t alleviating financial worries and could contribute to stress or burnout.”

The findings are part of Reed’s annual salary guide research, which analysed over 21 million job adverts and surveyed 5,000 workers across the UK. The full sector-specific salary guides are available on Reed’s website.

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Community

Bells ring out in Pembroke for St David’s Day parade

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PARADE BRINGS CELEBRATION TO PEMBROKE CASTLE

THE SOUND of bells, whistles, and cheers filled the air in Pembroke as the town marked St David’s Day with its inaugural parade on Saturday (March 1). Organised by Pembroke Town Team and Gwenno Dafydd, the event, titled “Ring Out the Bells for St David,” brought together residents and visitors to celebrate Welsh heritage in a lively and colourful procession.

The parade began at 11:15am, with participants gathering at the North Quay outside the Corn Store. At 11:30am, the procession made its way to Pembroke Castle, creating a vibrant atmosphere with banners, flags, and the sound of bells ringing in honour of Wales’ patron saint. The enthusiasm of the crowd was palpable as families, schoolchildren, and local groups joined in, waving Welsh flags and proudly wearing national colours.

Upon arrival at the castle at midday, the bells rang out to mark the occasion, followed by a range of Welsh-themed entertainment. Traditional music, folk dancing, and performances celebrating Welsh culture kept the spirit of the event alive, reinforcing the importance of St David’s Day in the local community.

Speaking about the success of the parade, an organiser said: “It was fantastic to see so many people come together to celebrate our heritage. The energy and pride on display today truly reflected the spirit of St David’s Day.”

Locals praised the event as a welcome addition to Pembroke’s calendar, with many hoping it will become an annual tradition.

Images by Martin Cavaney

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News

New leader for Congress group strengthening US-Wales ties

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FIRST MINISTER Eluned Morgan has welcomed the appointment of Rep. Lloyd Doggett as the new Democratic Co-Chair of the Friends of Wales Caucus in the US Congress.

Rep. Doggett spoke about his new role during a Welsh Government-hosted reception at the Library of Congress to mark St David’s Day. The Caucus, established on St David’s Day in 2014, aims to strengthen cultural and trade links between Wales and the USA.

The group currently has 26 members across both the US House and Senate. The existing Chair, Rep. Morgan Griffith, a Republican representing Virginia’s 9th Congressional District, will now be joined by Rep. Doggett as the Democratic Co-Chair.

The Welsh Government has been actively engaging with Congress to foster stronger ties. With the support of the Caucus, it has hosted events promoting Wales’s compound semiconductor cluster and its climate change initiatives during New York Climate Week.

Rep. Doggett, who joined the Caucus in November 2023, has expressed enthusiasm for his new role. He has served in the US House of Representatives since 1995 and currently represents Texas’s 37th Congressional District. Over his tenure, he has been a vocal advocate for environmental protection, healthcare expansion, public education, and social safety net programmes.

On March 12, his congressional district will host the SXSW festival, where FOCUS Wales will showcase Welsh music with support from the Welsh Government.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “I am delighted to welcome the first Democratic Co-Chair of the Friends of Wales Caucus, Congressman Lloyd Doggett. I have no doubt that he will be immensely successful alongside Congressman Griffith. I am confident that, through their joint leadership, the Caucus will continue to grow and support the interests of Wales before Congress.”

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