THE SENEDD shot down calls to scrap the 20mph speed limit policy.

Senedd members voted 37-14 against the Conservative motion which urged the Welsh Government to repeal the “disastrous” default 20mph policy.

Natasha Asghar, who was told off moments earlier for describing 20mph as a “blanket” policy, criticised ministers for trying to “downplay” public sentiment.

The Conservatives’ shadow transport secretary said a recent YouGov poll found that seven out of ten people still oppose the default 20mph policy.

She welcomed a “more sensible, pragmatic” approach from Ken Skates, who took over as transport secretary in March, but cautioned that much change has yet to come to fruition.

She reiterated that nearly 470,000 people signed a record-breaking petition against the policy which has been in place for more than a year.

Ms Asghar, who represents South Wales East, said implementation of 20mph has cost more than £33m and claimed it will result in a £9bn hit to the Welsh economy.

She said: “I make no apology for promoting common-sense politics, 20mph where it’s needed – around schools, hospitals, places of worship and high streets.

“It is regrettable that it has taken a public outcry on such a large scale for the guidance to be even looked at or changed.”

She told the Senedd: “Give the people what they want, allow their voices to be at the forefront of this policy that affects their day-to-day lives and please scrap this.”

Peredur Owen Griffiths, who also represents South Wales East, criticised “remarkable revision” in the Senedd, claiming there was initially cross-party support for 20mph.

“Oh no, there wasn’t,” said Janet Finch-Saunders, the Tory MS for Aberconwy.

Elin Jones, the Senedd’s speaker or Llywydd, intervened, saying: “Come on … [we] can do better than a pantomime please.”

Plaid Cymru shadow transport secretary pointed out that 20mph has been introduced by Conservative councils in England.

He told the debating chamber or Siambr there has been a significant fall in road casualties, according to statistics for January to March.

But he criticised the Welsh Government’s implementation, saying it fueled a divisive debate and eroded trust in the country’s relatively new democracy.

Lee Waters, the former deputy minister who introduced 20mph, said the policy is in achieving its aim, with data showing average speeds are down.

The Labour MS for Llanelli said: “Casualties are down by 32%, which is the single most effective road safety intervention that has been made. And lives have been saved: six fewer deaths in the first six months compared to the year before.

“Now, the Conservatives say that the policy has been disastrous. I think that these are results that we can be proud of. Has our approach been perfect? No, it has not.”

Mr Waters argued there is little practical difference between the policy and the Tories’  position, saying: “The difference is purely about politics. It’s purely about opportunism.”

He said Tory proposals would cost the public purse more: “Far from a bonfire of regulations, their common-sense approach is a confetti cannon of red tape splurged across Wales.

“The real difference between us is that we are saving lives before politics.”

Newport East MS John Griffiths maintained that the default 20mph policy is the right one as he welcomed the Welsh Government’s review.

The Labour backbencher pointed out that an insurance company, esure, is reducing policy premiums by £50 for customers in extensive 20mph areas.

He said: “It’s estimated that if 20mph was rolled out right across the UK in the way that it has been in Wales, that would result in some £1.4 billion-worth of savings for motorists.”

Mark Isherwood, the Tory MS for North Wales, said: “To say that the indiscriminate 20mph speed limit has been unpopular would be an understatement.”

His colleague Janet Finch-Saunders criticised a “distinct lack” of consultation.

“What was intended to improve road safety and reduce emissions has instead sparked widespread frustration, condemnation and opposition,” she warned.

Responding to debate on behalf of the Welsh Government, Ken Skates said police data unequivocally shows accidents reducing on 20 and 30mph roads.

The transport secretary rejected suggestions that ministers are not listening, saying 10,000 people have identified routes and helped shape the next steps.

Mr Skates said: “We know that there is more that we can do.

“We have listened and we have worked together. Now, over the next few months, we’ll begin to see changes ensuring that the right speeds are set on the right roads.”

Following the debate on September 25, Plaid Cymru’s amendment was also voted down, 41-10. The Welsh Government’s amended version of the motion was agreed, 27-24.

ALMOST three quarters of haematology consultants in Wales will near retirement age in the next decade, with a critical shortfall of replacements, a charity warned. 

Blood Cancer UK (BCUK) launched an action plan, entitled ‘Taking blood cancer out of the shadows’, at the Pierhead in Cardiff Bay on September 24 

Ceri Bygrave, a consultant haematologist at the University Hospital of Wales, Heath, Cardiff, was part of the charity’s task force which produced the recommendations. 

Dr Bygrave said: “The haematology workforce is overstretched and understaffed, with critical staff shortages and increasingly complex treatments leaving people delivering NHS blood cancer care under major pressure. 

“This is a particular challenge in Wales where by 2032, 74% of permanent haematology consultants will reach the age of 60 with a shortfall in trainees to replace them.” 

Dr Bygrave said: “The crumbling NHS infrastructure that exists in Wales and a woeful IT infrastructure that lags a long way behind other centres in England are all things that compromise blood cancer patient care on a daily basis. 

“To improve blood cancer survival, future NHS workforce plans must include an increase in the number of and support for blood cancer clinical nurse specialists, as well as action to turn around the drop in the number of clinicians doing blood cancer research.” 

Helen Rowntree, the charity’s chief executive, said huge strides have been made in research in the past 60 years but blood cancer remains the UK’s third largest cancer killer. 

Ms Rowntree said: “Needless lives are being lost and for those living with blood cancer there’s a real fear that they’re not getting the best care and support. 

“The blood cancer community deserves better. The drivers of better survival in high-performing countries urgently need to be understood and implemented.” 

Sam Rowlands, the Conservatives’ shadow health secretary, said blood cancer requires more attention in Wales as he called for targeted intervention. 

Mr Rowlands said: “Barely half of cancer patients are receiving treatment within the 62-day target time in Labour-run Wales and there is no clear trend of improvement.

“The action plan from BCUK provides a blueprint for bold action, the fact that only one hospital in the whole of Wales provides groundbreaking CAR-T therapy isn’t good enough. 

“If we boost staffing levels as the Conservatives have proposed and invest in provision, we can also put forward a faster diagnostic standard, as is the case in England, of 28 days. 

“We should also have more ambition in collecting information on cancer treatments in Wales to perfect treatments and improve prospects.” 

David Rees, who sponsored the event and chairs the Senedd’s cross-party group on cancer, described the charity’s report as sobering. 

He said the report highlights the complexity in diagnostics and treatment which often leads to missed early diagnosis, treatment disparities within Wales and gaps in clinical expertise. 

The Labour MS for Aberavon added: “I know that there are issues involved in data collection for blood cancer too, which can help inform good clinical practice and patient pathways.” 

Mr Rees said: “Patients across Wales need to have confidence … that when they present themselves to their GP or A&E department, the diagnostic services are available and can deliver timely data that can lead to early treatment. 

“Patients should expect no less.” 

He pledged to keep pressure on ministers to act on expert reports, saying he was confident two Labour governments can together meet the challenge of modernising the NHS. 

Research found 29% of people with blood cancer in Wales visited their GP three or more times before diagnosis, with BCUK warning delays can have devastating consequences. 

The charity also raised concerns that nearly 30% of blood cancer patients in Wales do not know who their clinical nurse specialist is. 

The Welsh Government highlighted a 50% increase in haematology specialty and associate specialist doctors, and a 9% increase in consultants over the past decade. 

A spokesman said: “We have made cancer one of the NHS’s top planning priorities and have launched a national programme to support recovery in cancer waiting times. 

“We have received the charity’s blood cancer action plan and are considering the implications for our approach in Wales.” 

WALES’ new finance secretary Mark Drakeford expressed optimism about the Welsh Government’s draft budget but warned public spending will not suddenly start flowing.

Prof Drakeford said he is planning for 1% growth in day-to-day revenue spending and a flat settlement for longer-term capital expenditure.

Appearing before the finance commission for scrutiny, the former First Minister said: “I have some optimism that things will be a little bit better.”

He cautioned: “I don’t think it’s going to be a sudden turning on of public expenditure but I think that things won’t be quite as tight.”

Pressed by Labour’s Rhianon Passmore about areas that could be deprioritised in Wales, he said it is too early to say ahead of the UK Government’s budget on October 30.

And pressed to reassure people that the in-year budget is secure, in light of £500m cuts in Scotland, he said: “It looks to me more like what I would have thought of as a ‘normal year’.”

Prof Drakeford stressed that stresses and strains persist but the previous budget was extraordinarily more difficult, leading to “very, very painful” cuts this time last year.

He said the First Minister’s statement on her government’s priorities will shape the Welsh Government’s draft 2025/26 spending plans that will be published on December 10.

The former First Minister compared his overriding responsibility as finance secretary with landing a jumbo jet of a budget on a postage stamp.

He stressed the importance of getting maximum value from expenditure and not overspending which “takes you into very difficult territory”.

Prof Drakeford suggested negotiating relationships with the UK Government on matters such as freeports and investment zones will be near the top of his agenda.

He said his focus will also be on legacy issues like the shared prosperity fund, replacement EU funding – “one of the sorrier examples of spending by the previous UK Government”.

He said: “I will wish to have conversations with my UK colleagues about the longer-term transfer of post-EU funding back to where it belongs: here in the hands of the Senedd.”

Prof Drakeford suggested the Welsh Government will seek powers that have already been devolved to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

He said talks would focus on “freeing up the micromanagement of our affairs” by the UK Treasury, giving more scope to deploy money in an efficient and effective way.

“At the moment, our hands are tied and we don’t get the best value,” he warned.

Prof Drakeford told the committee the Welsh Government has identified £65m to make coaltips in Wales safe as he urged the Labour UK Government to contribute.

The finance secretary said talks with UK ministers about rail funding are also ongoing.

He said if Wales receives additional capital expenditure next year – “and it’s a big ‘if’” – improving NHS efficiency through new equipment and buildings will be a priority.

Prof Drakeford agreed the current “fiscal framework” – which determines how Welsh public services are funded – while he was finance secretary between 2016 and 2018.

He said: “The problem from our point of view has been … that the numbers that were struck – the amount you can borrow, the amount you can put in the Welsh reserve, the amount you can draw down … are still the figures that we agreed as the right figures for 2016.”

Prof Drakeford told the committee meeting on September 25 that he expects the cabinet to debate Welsh rates of income tax but he would need “quite a lot of persuasion”.

“The only way you can raise significant amounts of money from income tax in Wales is by increasing the basic rate,” he cautioned.

The finance secretary said hiking additional and higher rates, which raises untested issues around tax migration, would not bring in a substantial sum.