Press Release: HELP FOR LOAN SHARK VICTIMS WELCOMED BY NEATH AM

Neath's Labour AM Gwenda Thomas has today welcomed the launch of a new all-Wales confidential hotline to help victims of illegal loan sharks.

The new hotline - 0300 123 3311 - marks the latest step in the battle against loan sharks operating in Wales. It offers help, advice and support to loan shark victims and their families, and has been backed by the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government.

Gwenda Thomas AM said:

“This hotline is an important step forward for the victims of loan sharks in areas like Neath.

“Loan Sharks prey on some of the most vulnerable people in our communities by ripping them off with extortionate rates of lending, often backed up by intimidation and threats of violence. They are a menace in our communities.

Gwenda added:

“I would advise anyone who needs help or advice to pick up the phone and make use of this confidential service on 0300 123 3311. The hotline is part of the All-Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit, which is helping to crack down on loan sharks across the country and I am delighted that the Labour-led Assembly Government is backing the scheme.

“Alongside this hotline, the Labour-led Assembly Government is also supporting our local credit unions, so that more people are given the chance to save and access affordable credit and budgeting advice.

“This combination of measures will help to make sure that the writing is on the wall for the Loan Sharks.”

Western Mail Column: Taking care of these youngsters

Deputy Social Services Minister Gwenda Thomas meets some remarkable and determined youngsters

I MET a remarkable group of young people who came to see me at the Senedd building in Cardiff last week.

Hannah S, Craig, Grace, Hannah J and Beverly are all young carers, who take responsibility for someone who is ill, disabled, elderly, experiencing mental distress or affected by substance use, or substantial responsibility for caring for a brother or sister.

They had each been chosen by young carers in projects across Wales to represent them and to present the views of young carers to the Welsh Assembly Government.

There are particular reasons for listening to young carers. They may be the person providing all of the care in the family or may also be helping someone else to provide the care.

And caring is not just about the things you can see – it is also about how the young carer feels or thinks because of their role.

The young carers I met came well prepared and they immediately presented me with a practical challenge. They asked me to write down on a piece of paper what I had done that day. But there was a catch.

As soon as I started, I was asked, “Please, could you get me a glass of water”. Then, “Please, could you pick that up for me”, “Could you open the window for me please?” I didn’t get very far with my assignment.

Of course, what they were demonstrating was how they have to fit their schoolwork in with the constant demands of their caring responsibilities.

It is no wonder that they may find it difficult to realise their full potential, and I was disappointed when they told me how, with some notable exceptions, many schools are still unaware of these issues or even that they have young carers on their registers. I intend to discuss this with colleagues.

We went on to discuss their report that highlighted the needs of young carers in Wales.
They had been thinking about how the National Assembly’s new legislative powers – for example the Vulnerable Children Legislative Competence Order or the legislation on carers’ rights proposed under the One Wales agreement – could benefit young carers in Wales.

They developed a 10-point action list for the Assembly Government to consider, and we agreed that I give them an initial response in June, during Carers’ Week.

Their suggestions included:

• Legal requirement for each local authority to provide dedicated young carer services;
  Information packs for professionals, including an all-Wales information pack collated and produced by the Assembly Government with young carers’ input;
• Compulsory core training on young carers to be included in social work degrees, teacher training and in nursing and other medical training;
• Free bus passes for young carers;
• Support for young carers to be included in school contracts;
• Funding to support workers to deliver awareness-raising training in schools and colleges;
• A nationally-recognised carer ID scheme;
• Support for young carers to continue to 25;
• Flexible respite care to be accessible for young carers;
• Health workers need to recognise the role of young carers and, where appropriate, involve and inform the young carer in the treatment of family members;
• The Assembly Government and other agencies need to listen and respond to young carers.
  Young carers play a vital role in our community facing serious responsibilities.

In addition to the daily tasks they complete for their parents, they live with the added pressure of school and, often, a lack of understanding from their schoolmates.

It is imperative that we listen to their opinions and concerns. As such I will be considering, with colleagues, all the points raised when I met the young carers and I will publish my response during Carers’ Week, as they asked.

Wales - Getting results Cymru

Wales - Getting results

"Valuing Older People" Event at Ystradgynlais Welfare Hall - 14 February 2008

Gwenda Thomas AM, Deputy Minister for Social Services and Joyce Watson, Labour AM for Mid & West Wales.

Press Release: UK Planning Bill welcomed by Neath AM

Neath Labour AM Gwenda Thomas has welcomed the UK Government’s new Planning Bill.

Commenting on the UK Planning Bill and its implications for Wales, Gwenda Thomas AM said:
“I welcome the publication of the UK Government’s Planning Bill, which will give the Welsh Assembly Government the ability to revise existing planning policies to better meet the future development needs of our local communities.

“I also welcome the other significant changes proposed to the planning system in this bill. The bill will close a loophole in the planning system which undermines the ability of a local authority, such as Neath Port Talbot Council to decline repeat planning applications in certain circumstances.

“The Planning Bill also sets out provisions for a new independent Infrastructure Planning Commission (the IPC), which would, from 2009, streamline the way in which consent is given to significant infrastructure projects, such as major electricity generating stations, gas pipelines, the underground storage of gas and overhead power lines. The consent regime for some of these projects is not currently devolved to us in Wales, and is currently given by a UK Government Minister.

“In my constituency in recent years, we have seen what was the Department of Trade and Industry approving the LNG pipeline with very little local consultation. The IPC will consult Welsh Ministers on future large scale projects such as the LNG pipeline, and there will be a provision for commissioners from Wales to be appointed to the IPC so that we have a voice on that commission.

“I entirely agree with Jane Davidson, the minister responsible for Planning issues in Wales that the Welsh Assembly Government should hold the decision making power over major electricity generating stations located in Wales, and I fully support her in her efforts to persuade the UK Government to devolve this power to us here in Wales.

Neath Guardian Column: Thomas Talks - 31 January 2008

A fortnight ago, the First Minister Rhodri Morgan and I announced the appointment of Ruth Marks as Wales’ first Commissioner for Older People.

Ruth will be a champion and a voice for older people, in the same way that the Children’s Commissioner has been for children and young people. As with the Children’s Commissioner, the Commissioner for Older People is independent from the Welsh Assembly Government, and her role will be to ensure that the interests of older people in Wales, who are aged 60 or more, are safeguarded, voiced and promoted.

In appointing the commissioner, we were able to bring together a panel of older people, nominated by members of the national partnership forum for older people in Wales and representing a variety of different ages and backgrounds. The formal selection panel, which I chaired, consisted of AM’s from the other political parties in the Assembly, together with two members of the older people’s panel. Both panels recommended the same candidate – Ruth Marks – for the post of Commissioner for Older People in Wales.

As the Deputy Minister with responsibility within the Assembly Government for older people, I’m extremely proud that Wales is once again leading the way and setting an example for others to follow. Wales was the first country in the UK to appoint a Children's Commissioner to give children and young people a stronger voice and now we are the first to have a Commissioner to champion the interests of older people. Wales is widely recognised as a world-leader in giving older people a greater say in developing the services that affect them. This unique Commissioner will further consolidate Wales' reputation for innovation and partnership working in older people’s policy.

In Neath Port Talbot, the Older People’s Council makes a significant and positive contribution in making sure that the views of older people are taken into consideration by the County Borough Council and others in developing policies that directly affect them.

If you wish to contact me, please contact my constituency office in Pontardawe on 01792 869993 or e-mail gwenda.thomas@wales.gov.uk. You can also keep up-to-date with my activities as your AM by logging on to http://www.gwendathomas.com/