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February 2007 Archives
February 28, 2007
NOT FUNNY - STUPID
Is Rhodri Morgan fit for purpose any longer? These are the kind of international headlines he is generating in our most important overseas tourism market.
Wales's First Minister Rhodri Morgan faced criticism today for a joke about Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley on his deathbed.
In 2005 (the most recent figures) tourists from the Republic of Ireland visiting Wales:
Made 215000 Visits
Stayed 725000 Nights
Spent 49 million GBP
We cannot afford to have him and his like jeopardise Wales's reputation.
February 27, 2007
Manifesto for a healthier Wales
By 2008 all public workplaces are to create an official dietary policy for their employees. Christensen believes a ban on giving children sugar at schools could be made a part of such local regulations.
We still cannot legislate in Wales to protect the health of our children as other small nations do.The Danes would not let the British neglect the health of Danish children we shouldn't either.
The Welsh diet has long been implicated in our poor health record. It continues to be too high in fat, salt and sugars and too low in fruit and vegetables. Our eating habits and low levels of physical activity are leading to increasing rates of obesity. More than half of Welsh adults are now overweight or obese. Healthy food must be affordable, accessible and appetising. We need to educate Welsh people, particularly the young, on the benefits of a healthy diet in preventing obesity, diabetes and cancer.
February 26, 2007
LORDING IT!
Norway is set to be the last of the Nordic countries to abandon a bicameral parliament. The division of parliament into two houses, the smaller Lagtinget and the larger Odelstinget, will end in October 2009. MPs voted in favour of the reform earlier this week.
Between 1 April 2005 - 31 March 2006 Labour Lord Kinnock picked up £5,522 in Day Subsistence for attending the House of Lords.
This allowance is intended to cover such items as the cost of meals.
Who pays for your meals?
An 80 member Senedd and a full return all the Welsh taxpayer's money taken by the British to pay for the British House of Lords would provide a more efficient way of governing Wales than we currently have.
February 24, 2007
DAY CARE TO IMPROVE CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT
The minister also emphasised her opinion that day care should not be seen as a service to help parents meet the demands of their jobs, but rather as a means to improve a child's development and well-being.
We must have affordable day care for all, available in every community in Wales.
February 23, 2007
STIMULATE INVESTMENT
To stimulate business investment, the 2007-2008 Budget Speech announces three measures that also apply as of midnight tonight. First, an increase from 5% to 10% in the rate of the capital tax credit and its extension to December 31, 2012. Introduced two years ago, the non-refundable capital tax credit for new investments in manufacturing and processing equipment enables investing businesses to reduce their capital tax burden. Almost all of Québec's 20 000 businesses in the manufacturing sector, as well as new manufacturing companies that set up shop in Québec, will no longer pay the tax on capital. Second, the extension to December 31, 2012 of the 15% capital tax credit for primary wood processing activities. This measure is an important incentive to renew manufacturing equipment and, consequently, to improve the productivity of forest mills in Québec. Third, an increase from $400 000 to $5 million in the specific deduction applicable to farming or fishing corporations in the calculation of the tax on capital. This measure means that almost all of the 7 000 farming and fishing corporations will no longer pay the tax.
The lesson is simple, competitor nations in the global economy create their own tax environment to suit their own domestic needs. Wales needs to get tax varying powers so that we can compete.
February 22, 2007
STILL ROBBED BY THE CROWN
the forthcoming UK Marine Bill could provide an opportunity for the responsibilities for the seabed and foreshore to be devolved to the Executive. Taking control of the estate and its funds in Scotland, it says, would be a symbolic move that could bring social, economic and environmental benefits.
Its right for Scotland and its right for Wales to take control over the British Crowns Estates holdings in our respective countries.
The marine estate includes more than 55% of the UK’s foreshore, tidal river-beds and almost all of the seabed within the 12 nautical miles limit – including rights to all minerals but excluding hydrocarbons.
With 110,000 hectares of agricultural land and forest, we have one of the largest rural estates in the UK.
February 21, 2007
A 14.2% increase in SMB and self-employed financing
A look at where a competitor nation is investing their money.
The typical borrower profile for the Catalan Finance Institute (ICF) credit is a new company with less than ten employees.
The Institut Català de Finances is a public-owned company, member of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Autonomous Government of Catalonia, the aim of which is to provide financial aid to the private and public sectors of the Catalan economy and which is vested with full legal status, and is in possession of its own equity and treasury, as well as being empowered with independent management for fulfilling its company purposes. The ICF was founded by virtue of Act 2/1985 of 14th January.
In Wales an SME maybe get loans if.
You are a small to medium-sized business (SME) with fewer than 250 employees. Your annual turnover does not exceed €50 million (£33.25 million) and your balance sheet total does not exceed €43 million (£28.6 million)
February 20, 2007
EU ministers discuss carbon emissions target
The Environment Strategy for Wales, published in May 2006, includes a commitment to develop a Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan setting out the action the Assembly Government, partner organisations and people across Wales need to take to respond to the impacts of climate change.
All very nice. What we really need though is place at top table to defend our Welsh interest just as other European nations are doing.
Ireland supports the 20% cut but Sweden and Denmark want a 30% cut irrespective of whether or not other countries join in.
Update
A seat at the top table can bring benefits.
Both the Prime Minister, as well as Minister of the Environment Stefan Wallin said that Finland’s goals were served, in that there was agreement that regional conditions will be taken into consideration in establishing a "fair" sharing of the burden. In Finland that means, for instance, the country’s cold climate and the energy-intensive industrial structure. Finland’s specific contribution to the greenhouse gas reduction effort will emerge after discussions are held with the European Commission.
February 19, 2007
Magistrates' courts defendant waiting times
The magistrates’ courts defendant waiting times survey is carried out by magistrates’ courts in England and Wales. The survey measures the time adult defendants in criminal cases wait on the days of their hearings. This bulletin presents the results from the April 2006 survey. KEY FINDINGS · Average waiting time has risen by three minutes: The average time defendants had to wait at magistrates’ courts in England and Wales before the start of hearings was 72 minutes for April 2006 compared to 69 minutes in October 2005 and 71 minutes in April 2005. · Proportion of defendants waiting more than one hour has risen: 42 per cent of defendants waited more than one hour in April 2006 compared to 41 per cent in April and October 2005.
All this cost Welsh taxpayers money. The Scots have taken action to benefit themselves.
"At the heart of our court reform programme is the need for an efficient court system delivering effective sentences. It is therefore essential that the sheriff courts should have the resources they require to ensure that cases are dealt with at the appropriate time. "These new part-time sheriffs will make a very valuable contribution in ensuring that the business of the courts can be maintained when the permanent sheriffs are unavailable for any reason. "They will be appointed to their new roles at a time when the summary justice system is undergoing major reform. Our Criminal Proceedings Reform Bill, which was passed unanimously by Parliament last month, will deliver swifter, smarter justice in Scotland's lower courts, helping to free up time and resources to concentrate on dealing with more serious offenders who rightly generate the greatest public concern."
If only Wales had the same powers over Justice as Scotland. Then we would get an efficient court system delivering effective sentences.
February 17, 2007
CYMRU-WALES TREASURY BILLS
Québec Treasury bills are short-term debt securities issued at a discount by the Québec government. Each week, the government offers 91-day securities at auction to major financial institutions and, once every month, securities for terms of 182 and 364 days. The auction results are published on the ministère des Finances website and in major media.
To enter the Québec Treasury bills website please click here then enter the username INVITE and the password INVITE
The Government of Quebec is competent to issue debt financing instruments for its expenditure as nearly all Governments do. There is no practical reason why a Welsh Government could not do the same and be scrutinised effectively for it, other than the reluctance of the British to yield power.
February 16, 2007
DIVINE RIGHT OF HAIN'S
Any apology made on behalf of the Welsh Nation must first be passed by resolution at the Senedd alone and then appropriately communicated by the First Minister.
No such resolution empowering Peter Hain to apologise on behalf of the Welsh Nation about slavery has been passed.
Yet Peter Hain does so.
I am here on behalf of both Northern Ireland and Wales to say that we've had our part to play in the slave trade," Hain told the broadcaster. "We acknowledge that, we take responsibility for it, and we now are going to try and at least say that historical legacy must be recognised. "We say sorry for it."
Does Peter Hain believe he gets his authority to speak on behalf of the Welsh Nation from a higher authority than the Welsh people?
When will Peter Hain apologise on behalf of the British for the shooting deaths in Llanelli during the Railway Strike of 1911?
February 15, 2007
WALES AND NEW SOUTH WALES
The First Home Owner Grant Scheme is a joint Australian and NSW Government initiative offering eligible NSW first home buyers a $7000 grant. The grant applies to residential dwellings only and does not apply to vacant land.
THE FIRST HOME OWNER GRANT ACT came in to being in 2000 and was reviewed as a proven success in 2006.
The main objective of the Act, being to encourage and assist home ownership, remains valid and relevant. The terms of the Act are appropriate for securing that objective.
While in Wales.
"It is clear that affordability is the key issue in the Welsh housing market. With fewer numbers of first-time buyers managing to get on the property ladder, the CML urges the Welsh Assembly government to look at innovative ways of helping those people who want to become home-owners to do so.
Perhaps we should be following New South Wales's example for first time buyers!
February 14, 2007
DOES THE MINISTER FOR CHILDREN HAVE THE INTEGRITY TO RESIGN?
Minister for Children Jane Hutt said
In Wales, we are very clear that the best way to serve the interests and meet the needs of children and young people is to recognise them as active citizens with ideas and opinions. As a government, we have worked very hard to promote children and young people as active citizens in Wales. It was heartening to share common concerns and ambitions with the Children’s Commissioners, taking the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as the basis for all of our policies and programmes for children and young people.
A comprehensive assessment of the lives and well-being of children and adolescents in the economically advanced nations has been undertaken by UNICEF.
The UK placed 21st out of 21.
The British policy pursued by her Government has failed and the Minister needs to take responsibility for it.
Like other smaller countries that placed at the top of the UNICEF research Wales needs to have the powers to pass laws and design policies that suit the needs of children in Wales alone.
February 13, 2007
EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT CIVIL COURTS FOR WALES
The Lord Justice Clerk Lord Gill is to head a wide-ranging review of Scotland's civil courts and the way they work.The review is aimed at ensuring that the civil justice system continues to provide an effective and efficient service for any individuals, families, communities and businesses who have cause to use it.
In Wales the British still fail in running a court system fit for purpose.
The civil court system is on the edge of collapse, one of Britain’s top county court judges has warned.
Better for Wales and it's people for all Justice matters to be devolved. The Scots know what is best for them.
February 12, 2007
FOREIGN INTERVENTION
The first time the National Assembly Government has intervened with a foreign government on behalf of Welsh citizens living outside the borders of Wales (the Diaspora). Momentous!
Now the First Minister has asked High Commissioner Richard Alston (Australia)to explain why.He said: "I know very little about the background to this but if this is indeed the case it would seem an unfortunate omission.
"I would be grateful if you could shed some light as to why Wales was not included in the question especially given the number of people from Wales who have emigrated to Australia over the years."
Click here to view the census
Question 12 also needs addressing and 16 and 18.
Scotland was only added to the census in 2006.
February 10, 2007
THE REAL LABOUR PARTY
While the British Labour party in Wales cannot deliver on it's commitments for Wales to have clean hospitals, the REAL LABOUR PARTY, should it form a Government at the next election can. Just because the Irish have the power to make laws and policies that suit the needs of their own populations, rather than gambling on PFI schemes dreamed up by a leader of another country.
Which Welsh political party's manifesto commitments do you think come closest to the socialists views of our Celtic cousins?
February 9, 2007
Lefelau Gollyngiadau Carbon - Carbon-emission Levels
The National Assembly for Wales - The Record of Proceedings -Wednesday, 7 February 2007
Cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog dros yr Amgylchedd, Cynllunio a Chefn Gwlad
Questions to the Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside
I do not agree with the idea that Wales should have its own targets, for the reason that so many of the levers that can be pulled to reduce greenhouse gases are at a UK level, such as financial incentives or disincentives, and energy policy
Is this the real reason or is it that Welsh forests (carbon sinks) are needed by the British to offset emissions mainly emanating from England?
Flanders the Flemish region of Belgium has its own carbon emissions target and trading system.
The Regions (in Belgium) are free to make use of natural carbon sinks on their territory.
Just as in Flanders, Wales must have it's own emissions target and trading system because we should pay for our own environmental costs.
February 8, 2007
BAN CHEAP ALCOHOL
If the labels were given a chilly reception, the government's idea to ban all bulk discounts on alcohol purchases met with fairly unanimous approval. The MPs found it justified that supermarkets would no longer be allowed to use 12-packs of beer (known popularly as "dachshunds") as loss-leaders. Starting a couple of years ago, the 6-pack and 12-pack has replaced the packet of coffee as the product of choice to lure in customers. Supermarket beer prices have fallen sharply as a result, but only for bulk buyers. One worry has been that the 12-packs often end up in the hands of young drinkers, who are tempted to drink the entire contents at a single sitting, often outdoors, since there is no going home with them. The legislative proposal would also forbid the advertising of alcoholic beverages on TV between 7.00 a.m. and 9.00 p.m., while the Greens, the Left Alliance, and the Christian Democrats would ban television commercials for alcohol entirely
Since this article was written, these proposals have now become law.
As the Finns take care of their own public health needs and more importantly the needs of their young people, we in Wales still cannot decide these matters. How our neighbours to the East want to use alcohol should be a matter alone for them. We in Wales must have the right to decide for our ourselves, just as our neighbours to the west do because we cannot afford not to.
Although alcohol consumption is not as high as it was a century ago, it has approximately doubled since 1960 (Figure 1). During the same period of time the price of alcohol relative to national income has more than halved.2 During the 1990s, the expenditure on alcohol advertising, and consumption amongst 11-15 year old children, in successive years have followed each other very closely (r=0.995).3 Heavy drinking among teenagers in Wales is as bad as any European country except possibly Denmark.
February 7, 2007
WHERE IS THE HANG GLIDING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD?
So far there are at least 3.
The First Minister says
"so people do actually see Merthyr as the hang gliding capital of the world"
Is the First Minister making policy announcements without proper research (a google search will take a few seconds)?
The First Minister went on to say
"Overseas visitors tend to have, at least on their first visit or first couple of visits to the UK, a very limited image of what they actually want to see." Tourists wanted to see London, Oxford, Cambridge and William Shakespeare’s birthplace, he said, adding: "Sometimes I’m told by some American visitors they ask to see the manger when they go to Anne Hathaway’s cottage, but that may be an unfair slur on American visitors."
From VisitBritain Corporate Website.
VisitBritain works in partnership with a number of organisations to further its work in presenting England and Britain to potential visitors in the UK and around the world.
So how can it be a surprise to the First Minister that tourists from overseas are not coming to Wales as his Government has a representative on the Board of VisitBritain?
The best solution for Wales would be to take the right to market Wales as an overseas destination away from VisitBritain and for WAG to be responsible instead for marketing Wales overseas.
Our tourism industry and the future of Merthyr are much too important to leave to a British organisation who are unaccountable to the people of Wales and who don't care. Oh and lets have the Welsh taxpayers money they use back as well!
February 6, 2007
Bird Flu in England
An (Scottish) Executive spokesman said
The Scottish Executive is monitoring the situation in England but there are no direct implications for Scotland at this stage.
From a Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson:
"DEFRA has confirmed the presence of the highly pathogenic strain of H5N1 avian influenza in Britain.
Why not just say England because that is where it is?
Being labelled as British means that any potential Welsh Poultry exports are now banned in South Korea, Hong Kong, Russia, Japan and South Africa.
February 5, 2007
Pedophile warning
"This case has been carefully considered from our side. This is about a person convicted to custody for a long series of sexual assaults on boys, and whom experts consider a pedophile. During the custody period he has not been willing to undergo any form of treatment. Before his parole an expert expressed an opinion that the risk of a new assault had not been reduced. This is simply about a pervert that according to experts could commit new crimes. We have concluded that there is all reason to issue a warning," Fyhn said.
The pedophile convict was one of the first in Norway to get a preventive custody sentence, a sentence that allows the option of lifelong custody due to the danger of repeat offense.
Is a preventive custody sentence a measure that should be introduced in Wales?
The number of sex offenders sent to Prescoed could rise to as many as 20.
Continue reading "Pedophile warning" »
February 3, 2007
a 30% reduction in the corporate tax
All the Basque companies which introduce any of the environmentally clean technologies included in the new List of Clean Technologies will obtain significant fiscal advantages. The new "Basque List of Clean Technologies" includes a list of 64 equipments or systems which provide a clear environmental improvement in their production processes to the companies that install them. This is the first published updating of the above mentioned list, since it was first published in 2004.The list is an initiative carried out by the Department of Environment and Land Use Planning of the Basque Government in order to achieve the "healthy and clean air, water and land" goal of the "Basque Environmental Strategy for Sustainable Development 2002-2020", which expects to promote clean production systems, and, therefore, a system of fiscal incentives is one of their objectives. These advantages will be a 30% deduction of the Corporate Tax quota for those companies that decide to install the equipments listed below.
The list is only available in:
Continue reading "a 30% reduction in the corporate tax" »
February 2, 2007
Occupational health services
The employer is in charge of occupational safety and health at the workplace. Employers are required by law to organize and pay for preventive occupational health services for all workers regardless of the size, industrial sector or form of the enterprise. Both public and private sectors are covered.
Sounds expensive yet it may really be the key to economic success, as year after year the Finnish economy continues to thrive.
Worth looking at placing a new requirement on employers to produce occupational health scheme in Wales to get the same results.
February 1, 2007
IRELAND DEBATES IMMIGRATION
To view the debate please click here
and after the window has opened click
Q1: Is Enda Kenny right to call for national debate on immigration?
then the Real Player will begin
Ireland debates it's immigration policy, rejecting the British and French approach as failed.
Wales needs to have this debate and like Ireland develop our own policies and laws that work for our own national interest.
Powers over immigration should be devolved.