Charity

King’s speech highlights focus on economic growth and defence

Published

2 months ago

July 17, 2024

ON WEDNESDAY (Jul 17), the King delivered his Speech, outlining the government’s priorities for the coming year. Central to the government’s agenda is a commitment to economic stability and growth, along with bolstering national defence and forging stronger international partnerships.

Opening with a focus on the economy, the King emphasised that stability will be the cornerstone of the government’s economic policy. “Securing economic growth will be a fundamental mission,” he stated, pledging to establish a new partnership with both businesses and working people. The government aims to address recent cost of living challenges by prioritising wealth creation for all communities.

The speech introduced several bills, including the Budget Responsibility Bill, which mandates independent assessments of significant tax and spending changes by the Office for Budget Responsibility. This move is aimed at preventing a repeat of past economic mismanagement. Additionally, the Draft Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill and the Pension Schemes Bill will be introduced to strengthen audit practices and corporate governance.

The King underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to NATO, pledging to maintain strong Armed Forces and a nuclear deterrent. A Strategic Defence Review will be conducted to ensure the UK’s defence capabilities are matched to evolving global threats. The government also reaffirmed its full support for Ukraine and its aspirations for NATO membership, and announced plans to reset relations with European partners, improve trade and investment relationships, and seek a new security pact with the EU.

Further, the government plans to introduce several significant domestic policies. House of Lords reform will be addressed through legislation to remove hereditary peers’ right to sit and vote in the Lords. In Northern Ireland, measures will be brought forward to repeal and replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023. A Duty of Candour for public servants, known as the Hillsborough Law, will be introduced to impose a legal duty on civil servants to speak out about issues.

Healthcare improvements will include measures to reduce NHS waiting times, focus on preventive care, and improve mental health provision for young people. The government will also legislate to progressively raise the legal age to buy cigarettes and impose limits on vape sales and marketing through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

Social and educational reforms are also a priority. The government will legislate to end no-fault evictions and reform grounds for possession through the Renters’ Rights Bill. Educational reforms will include removing VAT exemptions on private school fees to fund new teacher positions and establishing Skills England to partner with employers. Additionally, legislation will address race and disability equality, and modernise the Mental Health Act.

The government is committed to tackling climate change, with plans to establish Great British Energy, a publicly owned clean power company headquartered in Scotland, and to support sustainable aviation fuel production. Infrastructure and housing delivery will be accelerated through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

Law and order measures will include the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, aimed at modernising the asylum system and establishing a new Border Security Command. Community policing will be strengthened, anti-social behaviour addressed, and support for victims enhanced. Public safety measures will include the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, part of broader efforts to combat terrorism.

The King’s Speech reflects a broad legislative agenda, focusing heavily on economic stability, defence, and social reforms. Notably, it aims to redress past economic mismanagement and improve public services and governance. The emphasis on modernising the constitution and tackling climate change indicates a forward-looking approach to governance, while the extensive social policies show a commitment to fairness and opportunity for all citizens.

As the government sets out its legislative priorities, the coming year promises significant changes aimed at fostering economic growth, enhancing national security, and improving the quality of life across the United Kingdom.

Responding to the King’s Speech, Andrew RT Davies MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said: “While there were parts of the King’s Speech to be welcomed, people in Wales are crying out for an end to economic unfairness.

“That can begin if the new UK Government urgently delivers for our steel communities and sends a message that no community in Wales will be left behind in the drive for growth.”

Charity

St John’s mark Falls Awareness Week by announcing new rapid response service

Published

4 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

SAINT John Ambulance Cymru has secured a contract to provide a new Welfare and Falls Rapid Response service in the Pembrokeshire area, which will see staff responding to incidents to assess and assist people, reducing demand on Emergency Medical Services.

The Haverfordwest-based scheme will be run in partnership with Hywel Dda University Health Board (HDUHB) and will initially run from October 1^st 2024 until March 31^st 2025.

The scheme will follow on from the Falls Response scheme which has been operated by St John Ambulance Cymru in partnership with HDUHB and Wales Ambulance Services University NHS Trust (WASUT) in the same area since January 2023.

The announcement comes as St John Ambulance Cymru marks Falls Awareness Week from 16-20 September alongside fellow members of the National Falls Prevention Taskforce Wales.

The Falls Taskforce is an alliance focused on falls prevention for older people in across the country and includes Age Cymru, Age Connects Wales, Care & Repair Cymru, St John Ambulance Cymru, representatives from all seven health boards, as well as national and local government, public, private and other third sector organisations.

St John Ambulance Cymru’s Head of Ambulance Operations, Helen Coulthard said: “This new contract is a testament to the great service our staff have provided to people in this area of West Wales as part of the current scheme. To date the scheme has attended to over 1,000 people and saved an ambulance from attending on more than 500 occasions.

“St John Ambulance Cymru continues to build on its record of providing high quality help to patients all over the country and we look forward to continuing that work with this new scheme.”

St John Ambulance Cymru operates Falls Response schemes in communities across Wales, working in partnership with WASUT, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and the Vale of Glamorgan Council. In 2023 these schemes, together with the current Pembrokeshire scheme, helped a total of 12,815 patients.

Falls Response is just one of the services provided by the charity’s Ambulance Operations team, with more than 24,000 patients helped in 2023, including patient transport and other schemes such as the Taith Dda Mental Health Response Service.

For more information on the healthcare services provided by St John Ambulance Cymru, visit www.sjacymru.org.uk/en/page/healthcare-services.

Charity

FRAME is looking for passionate leaders to join its Board of Directors

Published

4 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

FRAME, one of Pembrokeshire’s leading charities, is excited to announce the recruitment of new directors to join its Board. As FRAME continues to grow and expand its impact on the community, we are seeking passionate individuals who want to help steer our charity toward an even brighter future.

Since 1994, Pembrokeshire FRAME has been at the heart of the community, providing life-changing support for individuals with additional needs, while also promoting environmental sustainability by reducing waste through the reuse of furniture and household items. Our social enterprises, such as furniture upcycling and gardening projects, have provided invaluable work experience for adults with learning difficulties, mental health issues, and disabilities. To sustain and enhance our impact, we need strong, dedicated leaders on our board.

What They’re Looking For:

FRAME are seeking individuals who are passionate about charity work, social enterprise, and environmental sustainability. We’re particularly interested in those with experience in the following areas:

Finance (accountancy, financial management)
Legal (charity law, governance)
Retail
Fundraising
Marketing & Communications (digital marketing, PR)
Social Enterprise Development
Human Resources & Leadership
Environmental & Sustainability Expertise
Lived Experience (experience with disability, mental health, or social exclusion)

Why Join Our Board?

By joining our Board of Directors, you will play a critical role in shaping the future of our charity. You’ll help us continue making a real difference in people’s lives by providing opportunities for learning, employment, and community engagement while also supporting

If you are interested in applying, please visit www.pembrokeshire-frame.org.uk/vacancies for more information.

Charity

Tenby musical extravaganza raises over £1700 for Lifeboats

Published

21 hours ago

September 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

TENBY was alive with the sound of music and community spirit this past weekend, as the Hay Shantymen delivered an unforgettable performance, raising approximately £1,700 for the Tenby lifeboat station.

Despite inclement weather, the event, held at the Tenby Brewing Co., saw a full house, with every ticket sold contributing directly to the lifeboat fund. The venue, known for its commitment to local causes and excellent beer, played host to an evening filled with lively shanties and heartfelt camaraderie.

John, a crew member from the Tenby Lifeboats RNLI, provided an “inspirational and mildly terrifying” tour of the lifeboat earlier in the day, further solidifying the community’s appreciation for the brave work of the RNLI volunteers. Mags, another lifeboat team member, was noted for her cheerful demeanour as she navigated the crowd with a donations card reader, ensuring everyone had a chance to contribute.

The Shantymen expressed profound gratitude to their audience and supporters on social media, stating, “Thanks so much to everybody who came to our gigs on Saturday. It was such a brilliant weekend, despite the weather’s best efforts.”

Unfortunately, the Shantymen had to cancel their planned busking in town on Sunday due to a combination of the bad weather and some very sore throats, much to the disappointment of both the band and their fans.

Feedback from the community was overwhelmingly positive, with many attendees sharing their joy on social media. Karen Gill, a local attendee, remarked, “Thought you were brilliant, really enjoyed listening to and watching you all, thank you!”

The event not only showcased the tight-knit community of Tenby but also highlighted the critical role that fundraising plays in supporting vital services like the RNLI. The Tenby Brewing Co. echoed this sentiment, expressing their delight at hosting the event and looking forward to more such gatherings in the future.