Bethan Jenkins AC/AM South Wales West

Let this be the last Christmas that as many as 56,000 children in Wales won’t have enough food to eat, never mind the luxury of a present. That was the message from Plaid Cymru AM and Child Poverty spokesperson, Bethan Jenkins, who is calling for the London Labour government to uphold its promises and take serious action to end Child Poverty.

Severe poverty means families surviving on an average of £7,000 a year after housing costs. With £7,000 a year a family has only £19 a day to cover fuel and other bills, food, clothes, washing, transport, activities for children and everything else.

The Plaid AM for South Wales West also expressed concern that in the current economic climate, even more families could fall into poverty.

Plaid AM for South Wales West, Bethan Jenkins said:

“It is totally unacceptable in this day and age that as many as 56,000 children in Wales are living in severe poverty. At a time when most children in Wales are looking forward to opening their presents on Christmas day, it is incredible to think how many Welsh children will have to go without. Thousands of parents are struggling to heat their homes and put food on the table let alone provide the gifts that they’d love their child to have at Christmas.

“In the current economic climate Christmas is looking bleak for many more Welsh families this Christmas. It’s about time the London Labour government put its money where its mouth is and put in the resources so that next year, fewer Welsh children have to face the chilling prospect of Christmas in poverty.”

Here is the video that I did of the petitions committee’s response to a petition by Ysgol Hen Felin on their request for more community facilities for young people with disabilities in Wales. Those of us on the committee thought this would be an innovative way of informing the young people about their petition, instead of writing them a formal letter. We hope to engage more young people in the petitions process in the future.

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Dyma fideo wnes i am ymateb y pwyllgor deisebau i ddeiseb wnaethom ni drafod gan Ysgol Hen Felin. Roedden nhw’n galw am fwy o gyfleusterau cymunedol ar gyfer pobl ifanc anabl yng Nghymru. Roedd aelodau’r pwyllgor yn credu byddai ymateb i’w ddeiseb mewn ffordd newydd yn fwy ddiddorol na danfon llythyr ffurfiol iddynt. Rydym yn gobeithio y medrwn ennyn mwy o bobl ifanc i gymryd rhan ym mhroses y pwyllgor deisebau yn y dyfodol.

Plaid AMs for South Wales West Bethan Jenkins and Dr Dai Lloyd have today met with Assembly Economy Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones to hold urgent discussions on recent job losses in the area.

Speaking from the Senedd today, Ms Jenkins said:

“Recent announcements on redundancies have been very difficult news for all local workers and their families and my thoughts are with them. 389 redundancies Budelpack International COSi at Maesteg has been devastating news for local communities, in addition to the job losses recently announced by Linamar at Swansea.

“It seems these days that job losses are announced on almost a daily basis. Having had urgent talks with Ieuan Wyn Jones today, I feel reassured that the Assembly Government is doing all it can to help people find new employment and is working hard to prevent further job losses in the area.”

Dr Dai Lloyd added:

“There is no doubt that Plaid’s Economic Development Minister at the Assembly is committed to doing all that he can to help businesses in Wales during this difficult economic time. However he is limited in what he can do as the main economic levers remain out of Wales’ control in Westminster.

“The UK Labour Government’s recent lack lustre economic package does not seem to be injecting the much impetus into the economy and the result of this is job losses, as seen in our region recently.”

ENDS

Bethan Jenkins AM took part in Amnesty International Greetings Cards Campaign, held at the Senedd this week (10/12/08) to celebrate International Human Rights Day and the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

In signing a card Bethan Jenkins AM called on the people of South Wales West to send messages of hope to those suffering human rights abuses.

As a poignant reminder of the state of human rights in the world today, a life size recreation of a Guantánamo Bay cell was placed outside the Senedd to remind people of the continued need to campaign for freedom around the world. The cage based on the 6ft by 8ft cell in which hundreds of detainees have been held without trial for more than six years, provides a strong visual jolt of the human rights abuses happening at this time.

Cathy Owens, Amnesty International’s Programme Director for Wales said,

“There has been real progress since the World came together after the atrocities of World War II to establish a hopeful vision for humanity, but there is so much more to be done. There are serious challenges to overcome before people around the world can truly enjoy the basic rights set out in the UDHR. People are still tortured, executed or imprisoned for their views. Women still suffer violence around the world. Many people suffer dreadful violations on a daily basis.

“If we are to consign to history some of the worst human rights abuses, there is a great deal more work to be done. Governments should take responsibility, but so must individuals. If we are serious about making human rights a reality then we must all play our part. We need to recognise that human rights abuses anywhere are the concern of people everywhere.”

Amnesty is calling on people in Wales to speak up for people whose human rights are under threat by sending them a message of solidarity as part of its Greetings Card Campaign. Last year’s campaign led to supporter in Wales receiving a letter from a British resident detained in Guantánamo Bay.

He said:

“I am very glad for this card you sent to me. You remind me I’m not forgotten and you are thinking of me. Thank you very much.”

Bethan Jenkins AM added:

‘I am pleased to support Amnesty’s campaign to celebrate International Human Rights Day. The recreation of the Guantanamo bay cell outside the Senedd is a stark reminder of the way in which many governments continue to undermine the human rights of citizens. This is unacceptable, and I hope that I can play a key role in ensuring that such practise is ended, and that everyone’s human rights are respected.’

ENDS

Notes to editors

The UDHR set out for the first time in a single document the fundamental rights to which everyone, everywhere is entitled – including the right to life, liberty, security, freedoms of opinion, association and expression and the right not to be subjected to torture or cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment. More information about the UDHR at www.amnesty.org.uk/udhr
For more information about the Greetings Card Campaign, visit www.amnesty.org.uk/gcc
Contact: Cathy Owens, cathy.owens@amnesty.org.uk, 02920 786415, 07738 718638

Plaid Cymru Assembly Member for South Wales West, Bethan Jenkins, has today ( 09/12/08) has said that the closure of the BorgWarner factory with the loss of 110 jobs will be a devastating blow to Margam and the surrounding area.

BorgWarner announced today (Tuesday 9th December) that the factory will close no later than 2010 and has blamed the impact of the economic downturn on the automotive market for the decision.

Speaking from the Margam today, Ms Jenkins said:

“Today’s announcement is very difficult news for all the workers and their families and my thoughts are with them. I have spoken to the Economy Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones, and he has given me his assurance that he and the One Wales government will be doing all they can to help those affected.

“I will now be writing to the management at the Margam factory and I am looking to meet with them at the soonest opportunity.”

Diwedd / Ends

Plaid Cymru AM Bethan Jenkins has today expressed her disappointment at the news that the Western Mail Welsh Woman of the Year Awards are to be brought to an end.

The decision to end the awards follows budget cutbacks by the paper’s parent company Trinity Mirror, 15 staff are likely to be made redundant as a result.

Plaid’s Bethan Jenkins, said:

“It is very disappointing that these awards are coming to an end. The awards have been very successful over the years in raising the profile of women in Welsh society and highlighting their achievements.

“This news will also come as a huge personal blow to the staff involved in the lead up to Christmas.”

End / Diwedd

Plaid Cymru spokesperson on Child Poverty, Bethan Jenkins AM, has today echoed calls made by charities for the UK Government to invest sufficient resources to combat child poverty, following the pledge in the Queen’s Speech to introduce a Child Poverty Bill.

The UK Government has announced it will enshrine its child poverty eradication targets into law, meaning it must halve child poverty by 2010 and fully eradicate it by 2020.

Speaking from the Senedd today, Ms Jenkins said:

“The Government is talking the talk on child poverty but must put its money where its mouth is and provide the resources necessary to realise its own targets of halving child poverty by 2010 and eradicating child poverty by 2020.

“How can the UK Government possibly reassert its intention to reach its child poverty targets when in recent weeks we have seen the introduction of draconian welfare reforms where lone parents are being forced into work or face benefit cuts? Why does the Government refuse to introduce a windfall tax on energy companies to help those struggling with high energy bills? There are a number of practical steps this Government can take to help lift children out of poverty. It is yet to deliver any.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

UNICEF UK STATEMENT:

“UNICEF UK is pleased that the Government has used the opportunity of the Queen’s Speech to reiterate their commitment to enshrine in legislation the target to eradicate child poverty in the UK by 2020.

However in order for the Government to make progress towards achieving the 2020 goal, it needs to ensure that sufficient measures are put in place now in order to meet the target to halve child poverty in the UK by 2010.

If the 2010 target is not met on time it will make it all the more difficult to achieve the 2020 target. The legislation needs to be robust and provide a sustained long term approach in order to effectively tackle the high levels of Child Poverty that are manifest in the UK.”

Plaid Assembly Member for South Wales West, Bethan Jenkins, has today responded to the news that Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs offices in Bridgend are to close as outrageous.

The announcement is part of wider closure plans across the country. 370 staff have been told today that their offices would close. The offices are in Aberystwyth, Bangor, Brecon, Bridgend, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest, Pembroke Dock, Pontypool and Rhyl.

Speaking today, Ms Jenkins said:

“At such a challenging economic time, I find this announcement nothing short of outrageous. On the one hand the UK Government says it is committed to helping people weather the financial storm and on the other hand it is announcing job losses.

“Bridgend is an area that has been blighted with so much bad news in terms of job losses and this announcement is an unwelcome addition. While the Assembly Government is working hard to support workers and business in Wales, such efforts are being undermined by Westminster.”

ENDS

MORE than one in five of all DNA profiles held on police databases in Wales are of youngsters aged between 10 and 17, according to shock figures obtained by Plaid Cymru.

Figures released to Plaid Cymru AM Bethan Jenkins reveal that Gwent Police holds 54,680 DNA profiles and 24.09 per cent of that total are of 10-17-year-olds. In North Wales it is 22.25 per cent (10-17-year-olds) out of 62,605, in South Wales it is 21.42 per cent of 123,968 and in Dyfed Powys it is 21.06 per cent out of 51,980.

The information reveals that more than 64,000 DNA profiles of 10-17-year-olds are held on police databases in Wales. This is made up of 26,560 in South Wales, 13,931 in North Wales, 13,173 in Gwent and 10,946.

Speaking today, Ms Jenkins said:

“I think the fact that more than one in five of all DNA samples held on police databases belongs to a young person between 10 and 17 is shocking and I’m very concerned at why samples are being taken from young people who, presumable are not responsible for one in five serious crimes.

“We should all be highly alarmed that DNA samples obtained by the police can be held indefinitely, even if a defendant is found guilty, and even if the sample was provided voluntarily. I urge people to lobby the UK Government to end this practice.”

ENDS

Neath-based Assembly Member, Bethan Jenkins, has today (28/11/08) visited Women’s Aid in Port Talbot.

Ms Jenkins took the opportunity to meet with staff at the centre to learn more about their work in helping women who are victims of domestic abuse.

Speaking from the centre today, Ms Jenkins said:

“Assembly Members this week marked White Ribbon Day to make a stand against violence against women. It is important that we all make a stand and I have been thoroughly impressed by the work of Women’s Aid in Port Talbot who support local women and provide them with advice and shelter.

“Women’s Aid provides specialist training support to member groups on housing, legal and children’s issues and lobbies and campaigns on their behalf at a national level. If any woman is in need of support, I would urge them to call the Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 80 10 800.”