Bethan Jenkins AC/AM South Wales West

Plaid Assembly Member, Bethan Jenkins has today (28.10.08) welcomed Ford’s new £70 million investment for the Ford engine plant in Bridgend.

Plaid AM Ms Jenkins said:

“This is a great success for the Ford plant in Bridgend. For the company to invest £70 million in the company’s Welsh plant at a time of relative economic uncertainty is a clear acknowledgement of the expertise and skills of those who work at Bridgend Ford.’

Ms Jenkins continued:

“This will raise the spirits of those involved in the motor industry in Wales, and doubly so as the new engines to be developed at the plant are more environmentally friendly. It is also good news for the local economy in Bridgend, and for those who work at Ford in Bridgend.

I welcome the work that Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones AM has done in supporting Ford with backing from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Single Investment Fund. This is a clear sign of Plaid delivering in government’.

ENDS

Contact Steffan Lewis on 029 20 898 713 / 07961 732405 for more information.

Notes to the editor

This morning, Ford announced a new investment programme at its high-tech Bridgend engine plant in Wales to produce next generation low CO2 1.6-litre, four-cylinder petrol engines.

This latest investment totals £70 million for the plant, where this year employment rose to over 2,000 for the first time in its 28-year history, and includes Welsh Assembly Government support of £13.4 million through its new Single Investment Fund.

Total Ford investment in the Bridgend plant has amounted to £315 million in the last five years alone. Today’s additional investment increases the plant’s production capability to almost 1,000,000 units per annum.

The announcement by Ford that the Welsh plant has won the contract to manufacture the Ford’s new “green” low-carbon GTDI engine co-incided with the UK’s first national conference on low carbon vehicles.

The Assembly Government’s International Business Wales arm is one of the sponsors of the event – which will position Wales as a leading centre for the development of alternative fuel technologies.

Speaking during a debate on the One Wales government’s progress Plaid Cymru Assembly Member for South Wales West, Bethan Jenkins, cited examples in Swansea of the decisive leadership of Wales’ government.

Looking back at the first 15 months of Plaid Cymru in Government, Ms Jenkins highlighted the swift intervention of Assembly Economy Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones during the XL crisis.

Bethan Jenkins AM said:

“The plight of 150 workers at XL Travel plc, who lost their jobs when soaring fuel costs and the onset of the credit crunch caused the company to go into administration on 12 September. It grounded its fleet of 21 aeroplanes and left nearly 70,000 holidaymakers stranded abroad, with thousands of UK-based staff facing the axe. I was pleased that the Government acted strongly, swiftly and successfully in partnership with others to help staff to find new posts appropriate to their skills and experience with a range of major firms in Swansea.

“Assembly Government officials, the West Wales Association of Communications Centres and Jobcentre Plus organised a special jobs fair in Swansea little more than a week after XL’s administration was announced.”

Ms Jenkins acknowledged that the Assembly’s lack of powers were frustrating, but asserted that the Plaid-driven government in Cardiff Bay was leaving no stone unturned in its quest to protect Welsh jobs.

Speaking after the debate Ms Jenkins said:

“On the day the FTSE 100 index plummeted to a five-year low, the One Wales Government under the leadership of Economy Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, convened an economic summit, the first of its kind in the devolved nations of the UK. That summit brought together ministers, government officials and stakeholders and business leaders.

“There is an onus on the UK Government to use its substantial powers to alleviate the pain being felt by people in Wales. We must keep the pressure on the UK Government to deliver policies that can help Welsh communities”.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The Record of Proceedings of Bethan Jenkins’ contribution during the debate on the Implementation of the ‘One Wales’ Programme of Government:

The national achievements of the One Wales Government have been outlined by my colleagues, Helen Mary Jones and Leanne Wood. However, I wish to highlight the specific local benefits provided to people living in the region that I represent.

The decisive intervention of the Deputy First Minister at times when jobs have been at risk, and when ordinary people have faced uncertainty has yielded results. Even in the face of adversity, as the global economic crisis hits communities, the One Wales Government has not rested on its laurels; it has supported efforts to soften the economic blows. A recent example is the plight of 150 workers at XL Travel plc, who lost their jobs when soaring fuel costs and the onset of the credit crunch caused the company to go into administration on 12 September. It grounded its fleet of 21 aeroplanes and left nearly 70,000 holidaymakers stranded abroad, with thousands of UK-based staff facing the axe. I was pleased that the Government acted strongly, swiftly and successfully in partnership with others to help staff to find new posts appropriate to their skills and experience with a range of major firms in Swansea.

Assembly Government officials, the West Wales Association of Communications Centres and Jobcentre Plus organised a special jobs fair in Swansea little more than a week after XL’s administration was announced. As Leanne Wood has said, local people will also be reassured by the Government’s ReACT scheme, which offers help and support to those who have recently been made redundant, enabling them to acquire new skills and find work as quickly as possible. Last week, I visited Port Talbot’s Careers Wales office, where I saw that scheme at work.

The One Wales Government is supporting efforts to put Wales on the map for the right reasons. The University of Glamorgan research centre recently opened in Baglan, which is developing hydrogen gas as a renewable energy source, putting Wales at the forefront of European efforts to develop hydrogen communities. That project benefited from European funding through the Assembly Government, and is an example of the Government’s commitment to build an innovative nation.

There can be no doubt that we face challenging times. The economic downturn and the crisis in the financial markets will continue to take their toll. The people of Wales expect the Government to act on their behalf, to defend them, and to take the lead in ensuring social justice and equality. I am confident that that can be delivered by the One Wales Government.

Bethan Jenkins AM today took up the smarter driving challenge, hosted by the Energy Saving Trust Wales as part of its Energy Saving Week campaign, which runs all this week (20-26 October). By using smarter driving techniques and fuel saving tips, Bethan Jenkins AM managed to save 15% on their fuel used when driving a specially designed course near to the Senedd building in Cardiff.

Bethan Jenkins AM said:

“When the Energy Saving Trust posed their smarter driving challenge, I was delighted to take them up on it. I was amazed that just by following a few simple tips from their expert adviser, I was able to save 15% in terms of the fuel I consumed, driving the same route.

The Energy Saving Trust provides independent, expert advisers to help householders save energy in their homes and cut their fuel bills. I would urge people in South Wales West to take the time to call their local Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre on 0800 512 012 to find out how they can save energy and money, or visit the website at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk”

Notes to Editors

1) Attached photograph shows Bethan Jenkins AM being presented with their Energy Saving Trust Smarter Driving Challenge Certificate by Laura Woodham of the Energy Saving Trust Wales, at the Senedd in Cardiff.
2) The Smarter Driving Challenge involved driving 2 circuits of a specially designed course. The first was driven as normal with an expert adviser taking notes. The adviser then gave tips for how the drive could be more efficient (such as smoother braking and acceleration and switching the engine off at traffic lights). The second drive was then done, taking into account the tips given earlier and the difference in fuel consumption between the two trips was measured.
3) DEFRA funds the Energy Saving Trust to provide consumer energy efficiency, microgeneration and waste reduction advice.

Following a question from Plaid Cymru Assembly Member for South Wales West, Bethan Jenkins, the Assembly’s Deputy Minister for Housing, Jocelyn Davies, has agreed to visit the Foyer housing project in Swansea.

Ms Jenkins asked the Deputy Minister to ensure that providing homeless people with skills and training to increase their job prospects, is part of future homelessness strategy and cited the work being done by the Foyer which gives individuals access to education, training or employment and are supported to gain independence in their daily lives.

Speaking from the Senedd today Bethan Jenkins AM said:

“I am delighted that Jocelyn Davies has agreed to visit the Foyer in Swansea and look forward to learning more about the work being done there to equip young people with essential life skills to help them as they seek individual independence.

Richard Davies of Gwalia housing association that is responsible for the Foyer development in Swansea added:

“All at the Foyer welcome the opportunity to explain to the Deputy Minister how support with learning, skills and accessing employment is making such a positive difference to the lives of young homeless people.”

ENDS

Plaid Cymru Assembly Member for South Wales West, Bethan Jenkins, has today called on Neath Port Talbot Council to lay a wreath of white poppies alongside a wreath of red poppies at next month’s Remembrance Day services.

Aberystwyth Town Council lay both red and white poppy wreaths at their during separate remembrance services and Neath-based AM Bethan Jenkins believes Neath Port Talbot Council should follow suit in order to reflect the both the views of pacifists and ex-servicemen and women.

Speaking from the Senedd today Bethan Jenkins AM said:

“In Aberystwyth, arrangements were made for white and red wreaths of poppies to be laid on different days. The white poppy wreath is laid on Armistice Day – Saturday, 11 November – and the red poppies by members of the British Legion on Remembrance Sunday.

“Allowing people to remember in their own way, I believe, reflects a healthy society and I hope Neath Port Talbot Council will consider following the example of Aberystwyth Town Council.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Origins of the White Poppy

The idea of decoupling Armistice Day , the red poppy and later Remembrance Day from their military culture dates back to 1926, just a few years after the British Legion was persuaded to try using the red poppy as a fundraising tool in Britain.

A member of the No More War Movement suggested that the British Legion should be asked to imprint ‘No More War’ in the centre of the red poppies instead of ‘Haig Fund’ and failing this pacifists should make their own flowers.

The details of any discussion with the British Legion are unknown but as the centre of the red poppy displayed the ‘Haig Fund’ imprint until 1994 it was clearly not successful. A few years later the idea was again discussed by the Co-operative Women’s Guild who in 1933 produced the first white poppies to be worn on Armistice Day (later called Remembrance Day). The Guild stressed that the white poppy was not intended as an insult to those who died in the First World War – a war in which many of the women lost husbands, brothers, sons and lovers. The following year the newly founded Peace Pledge Union joined the CWG in the distribution of the poppies and later took over their annual promotion.

For further details visit www.ppu.org.uk

Plaid Cymru Assembly Member, Bethan Jenkins, has today criticised UK immigration minister Phil Woolas following comments made regarding migrant workers. Ms Jenkins also claimed that Welsh labour needs were not being met by the UK’s over-centralized work permit system.

Whilst urging businesses to employ British workers ahead of migrant workers Mr Woolas told the Times that “it’s been too easy to get into this country in the past and it’s going to get harder.”

Ms Jenkins claimed that the minister was attempting to “deflect the challenges of the current economic crisis by scape-goating migrant workers.”

Speaking from the Senedd today the Plaid Cymru AM said: