A long-running dispute between UK, Welsh and Scottish governments will take another twist in the next few days when ministers in London take it to the Supreme Court. The Law Lords of the court will be asked to rule that Welsh and Scottish attempts to overturn Theresa May's post-Brexit devolution plans are unlawful. Welsh and Scottish ministers say the plans contained in the EU Withdrawal Bill amount to a 'power grab' that would see Westminster keep hold of powers returning from Brussels that they say belong in Cardiff and Edinburgh. Both the National Assembly and the Scottish Parliament have passed rebel laws known informally as Continuity Bills which aim to end the argument by simply seizing those powers without UK Government agreement. The Prime Minister says those bills are unnecessary. You can read about the Welsh continuity bill here, here and here. UK Government ministers have repeatedly said they want the agreement of the devolved governments and to try to achieve that have … [Read more...] about Welsh Government’s rebel Brexit bill heads to court
Welsh government
Children To Be Consulted On Brexit, Welsh Government Says
Children in Wales aged as young as seven will get the chance to have their say on the Brexit process, the Welsh Government has said. A consultation is being launched to help ministers understand the views of the younger generation and make sure they are represented in the Welsh Government’s discussions and decisions about Wales’ future once the UK leaves the EU. Announcing the plans, Wales’ Minister for Children Huw Irranca-Davies said Brexit would bring about some of the biggest changes children and young people would face in their adult lives, so he was looking forward to hearing their views – and ensuring they were acted on. “The majority of the adult population of the UK who voted in the EU referendum in 2016 took a monumental decision that the UK should leave the EU,” he said. “As a government, we accept that decision, and are doing all we can to ensure Wales and the rest of the UK gets the very best deal from it. “However, our … [Read more...] about Children To Be Consulted On Brexit, Welsh Government Says
Bridgend councillor calls on Welsh Government to rethink ‘heartless’ plans to scrap uniform grant
0 Post a comment Thursday, 12 April 2018 - Education by Contributed Item - Contributed Item @twitter.com/gem_news [email protected] A Bridgend councillor has slammed the decision by the Welsh Government to scrap the school uniform grant. Carolyn Webster has described the move as ‘heartless’ and says it will hit poor families the hardest.The Conservative councillor for Newcastle said: “Whoever thought this was a good idea ought to be ashamed of themselves. For families on tight budgets, every single penny counts.”The school uniform grant has been available to year 7 pupils in receipt of free school meals. It is worth £700,000 and helped more than 5,000 pupils last year.It will not be available for 2018/19 because, the Welsh Government says, the cost of uniforms has come down.Cllr Webster said: “As a mother, I know the cost of a school uniform and sports kit is not insignificant – especially when there is more than one … [Read more...] about Bridgend councillor calls on Welsh Government to rethink ‘heartless’ plans to scrap uniform grant
Welsh Government announce £1.7m grant to fund new play areas in Wales
The Welsh Government has announced a new £1.7m grant to fund new play areas across Wales. The grant will have a particular focus on increasing accessibility for disabled children. Wales was the first country in the world to legislate for play. Under The Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010, local authorities have a duty to assess for and secure sufficient play opportunities for children in their areas. The new funding will go towards a number of initiatives including play libraries which give children with disabilities access to specialist toys on loan and free swim sessions for disabled children and young people. Minister for Children, Huw Irranca-Davies says evidence shows the benefit playing makes to children. … [Read more...] about Welsh Government announce £1.7m grant to fund new play areas in Wales
Plans for new Port Talbot prison blocked by Welsh Government
Plans for a super prison in Port Talbot appear to have been blocked by the Welsh Government. It owns the proposed site at Baglan and said it "will not facilitate" any new prisons in Wales until the Ministry of Justice has agreed to meaningful talks about the penal system. Demands for the devolution of policing and criminal justice, bringing Wales in line with Scotland and Northern Ireland, have been rejected by the UK Government. But, the Welsh Government has gone ahead with its own Commission on Justice to look into how a devolved system should operate. Mr Davies said Welsh prisons need to relate better to public services and policy approaches in Wales, including what could be done to prevent many people being sent to prison. He said short sentences often had a devastating impact on people's lives. The Ministry of Justice says it remains committed to building a prison in Port Talbot, although the local council says it has chosen the wrong site. The Welsh Government's … [Read more...] about Plans for new Port Talbot prison blocked by Welsh Government