Bethan Jenkins AC/AM South Wales West

Plaid Cymru spokesperson on Child Poverty, Bethan Jenkins AM has said that new research by the TUC underlines the need for concrete action on child poverty Wales.

The research by the TUC shows that the poverty of children is directly linked to the poverty of mothers. Currently in the Neath area 30% of the workforce earn less than £7.04 an hour.

Speaking today, Ms Jenkins said:

“This new research from the TUC is to be welcomed. It is yet more evidence that the London government needs to step up its efforts and take concrete action in order to keep its promise of eradicating child poverty by 2020. As long as Gordon Brown fails to act and give this issue the resources it needs, I cannot see how he will be able to reach this target.

“Today, families struggle to make ends meet because of rising household bills and the increasing cost of food. Gordon Brown’s policies have rewarded the few in the city of London while families struggle to cope. Plaid believes that society should protect the weak and the vulnerable, the London government must take action to address child poverty before it is too late.”

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For Further information please contact Steffan Lewis on 07961 732 405

Plaid Cymru Assembly Member for South Wales West, Bethan Jenkins, has today (27/08/08) spent the afternoon shadowing a mental health support worker from Gofal Cymru’s Neath Port Talbot and Swansea team.

Ms Jenkins said:

“I am very interested in mental health services in Wales, especially as I chair the cross party group on eating disorders at the National Assembly for Wales, and having sat on the committee seeking to draw down additional powers from Westminster regarding support for those who suffer from a mental illness. Therefore I wanted to shadow a support worker to see the work that Gofal does at first hand in helping those who suffer from a mental illness in my region’.

Ms Jenkins added:

“ We can sit and discuss policy around committee tables until we are blue in the face, but unless we know what those involved in key mental health charities such as Gofal are doing at a local level, until we understand the needs of those people with a mental disorder, then politicians and policy makers alike will find it hard to understand the reality on the ground.

I visited two people in Neath and Swansea, and was enthused by the hard work of the support workers for Gofal Cymru, and their dedication in ensuring that those suffering from a mental disorder can seek to rebuild their lives independently, and integrate in to the community in which they live. Mental health should not be a stigmatised, taboo subject, and I hope that the work that I do in the future surrounding mental health issues will be improved by having had this great opportunity to shadow Gofal’s support worker team.”

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Notes to Editors

For Further information please contact Steffan Lewis on 07961 732 405

Plaid Cymru Assembly Member for South Wales West, Bethan Jenkins, has rejected calls for a UK football team to compete at the next Olympics.

Ms Jenkins’ comments come as Wales welcomes its Olympians back home following Wales’ best showing at the Olympics in over 100 years.

Neath-based Ms Jenkins said:

“I firstly want to congratulate all those athletes from Wales who performed terrifically in the Beijing games. We should all be truly proud of their remarkable achievements. We should take confidence from their performance which goes to prove that Wales is more than capable of competing at the highest level.”

Ms Jenkins expressed opposition to Gordon Brown’s hopes for a UK football team at the 2012 Olympics in London.

Ms Jenkins added:

“Gordon Brown’s push for a UK football team threatens the future of the Welsh football team. FIFA chief Sepp Blatter has on more than one occasion said that if the UK fields a team at the Olympics, then football associations across the world will ask why there cannot be a single team for the UK at all competitions.

“More than a hundred years of Welsh football tradition are under threat should Gordon Brown get his way. Welsh fans will not forgive the sacrificing of their right to a team in the name of Gordon Brown’s obsession.

“It is time to iron out the inconsistency in world sport and allow Wales to compete as a nation at every level, including the Olympic Games.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For Further information please contact Steffan Lewis on 07961 732 405