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BBC News
5 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Anonymise politicians' relatives working in Senedd, report says
The names of people related to politicians working in the Senedd should be kept secret from the public, the institution's internal standards body has Members of the Senedd (MSs) are banned from employing their own family, they can be employed by colleagues, as long as it is declared publicly in the register of the nature of the relationship would still be reported, the Senedd's standards said people's names should not be disclosed publicly for safety Wales was told the committee was aware of "several incidences of family members receiving unwanted emails and social media messages because they were related to politicians". Two of the four people on the standards committee, its Labour chair Hannah Blythyn and Plaid Cymru's Peredur Owen Griffiths, have partners who work for other pair declared an interest during the proceedings, but did not stay out of the discussions.A spokesperson for the committee, in a statement, said: "In making this recommendation, the committee sought to balance openness with the need to protect the safety of loved ones. "This is one recommendation amongst several intended to improve transparency around the declaration of interests by members."The measure would need to be agreed by Senedd politicians, who are currently on recess. The recommendation followed an inquiry into how MSs register and declare include requiring MSs to put a price on any gifts received and on overseas visits, and registering how much money they receive for work outside of the a forward to a report on the inquiry, Hannah Blythyn said the changes it was proposing "will encourage transparency and consistency".Among the 14 requests is that an "exception" is made for publishing the name of family members, where they are employed by other MSs."As well as increasing transparency, the committee was mindful of the need to minimise the release of information about family members, simply for being related to an elected member," Blythyn wrote."To that end, we agreed that publishing the names of family members employed by other members on the register was an unnecessary risk to their safety, and will be removing this requirement from the seventh Senedd onwards."Blythyn's report showed that both the standards commissioner Douglas Bain and the Labour Senedd group supported the told the committee there was "no significant advantage in publishing the name".The Labour group in a letter to the committee: "Family members who are employed by Members of the Senedd are not public figures and the group strongly believes that additional measures are now required to protect their identity as part of the Senedd's wider commitment to protecting staff and members from abuse and threats to their personal security." Blythyn, and committee colleague Peredur Owen Griffiths, both declared an interest at a meeting in April 2025 as both of their partners work for their party wife works for First Minister Eluned Morgan, while Owen Griffiths' wife works for Plaid Cymru MS Sioned earlier version of the inquiry report, published on the Senedd website, omitted the declaration. The Senedd said this was an "admin error".Blythyn and Owen Griffiths were both approached for comment.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
£1 bus fares in Wales have been announced for young people, but there's one big problem
The Welsh Government has published details of its £1 bus fares for young people, ahead of the scheme rolling out this autumn. The move was announced by the Welsh Government on the day it revealed the final budget for 2025-26 which it passed with the help of concessions to Lib Dem MS Jane Dodds. When the Welsh Government announced the pledge, it said the £100m deal it struck with the Lib Dem MS included "£15m to fund a pilot scheme for young people aged 21 and under to pay only £1 for a single bus fare in Wales." However, it then emerged it hadn't been fully agreed with bus operators and could have left children aged between 11 and 15 paying more for public transport compared to those aged between 16 and 21. You can read that here. READ MORE: Four arrested after cyberattack on M&S and Co-op READ MORE: July's full Buck Moon is visible in the sky tonight and this is the best time to see it Plaid Cymru's transport spokesman Peredur Owen Griffiths said that would mean younger teenagers will have to pay more to travel than their older peers for exactly the same journeys For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. Here's everything we know so far: Single fares will cost £1 and there will be £3 day passes available too with any participating bus services from September 1 for a year. From September 1, 16 to 21-year-olds on participating registered bus service in any part of Wales, and on some cross border services, can get single £1 fares and £3 day tickets. The Welsh Government will extend the scheme to five to 15-year-olds from November 2025. Existing reduced fares for children will apply until then. Providing your bus journey begins or ends within Wales, you will be covered within the scheme up to and from the first bus stop in England or on some services to the end of the route. Good question, but that isn't known yet and won't be until September 1. "It is envisaged that the majority of bus operators, most of whom already offer MyTravel Pass discounts, will be part of the new scheme and we will be publishing a full list here before the 1st September". Premium-fare night buses and City Sightseeing buses, will not offer the discounted fares or accept Day Tickets. The discounted fares are not available on coach services operated by National Express, Megabus or Flix Bus. Contact the bus company before you travel if you are unsure. To get the discount, 16 to 21-year-olds will need to apply for a free mytravelpass to prove their age which they can do from July 21. You can apply online or by post. Applications normally take approximately 6 weeks to be processed but may be slightly longer at busy times such as the start of term. More details here. The discounted fares can be either purchased on bus from the driver on boarding or where appropriate via mobile ticketing apps. The Welsh Government is proving £15m over two financial years (2025-26 and 2026-27). Then an additional £7m will extend the scheme to five to 15-year-olds, from November 3. The Confederation of Passenger Transport, which represents the industry, says it still wants "urgent clarity" on how the scheme will be funded. Aaron Hill, Director of CPT Cymru, said: 'Encouraging young people to catch the bus is the right choice for Wales. Lower fares will help a new generation pick up a habit of using public transport – which will trigger more investment in bus services, benefiting communities up and down the country "In order to roll out this scheme in the autumn, bus operators need clarity on exactly how lower bus fares will be funded, and on reimbursement for individual bus companies which will be cutting fares for passengers. It is also important that the government considers how long the scheme will last, and how it can ultimately be ended without a 'cliff edge' that deters passengers."

South Wales Argus
03-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Where to find culturally inclusive meals in Newport
Located at 92 Commercial Street, the project opened to a full house, with residents, volunteers, and a cross-party roster of politicians showing up to support. Among the dignitaries were Senedd members Natasha Asghar, Peredur Owen Griffiths and Plaid Cymru leader, Rhun ap Iowerth. 'This is what real community looks like,' said Asghar. 'People from all walks of life coming together to feed each other with dignity and love.' Ms Ashgar added that events like this bring the whole community together. The Open Table serves culturally inclusive meals in a café-style setting, while The Open Pantry offers affordable groceries via a membership model. Both sit under the Newport Multibank umbrella and are supported by the Welsh Government, WCVA, Comic Relief and countless local donors. The launch also revealed a Cwtch Chai a new on-site 'skills café' offering free barista training to boost employability in a supportive space. 'It's about confidence, culture, and community,' said Project Manager Tariq Khan. Tariq explained the services reach out across all of Newport and is not tied to any one group, faith or community. The day featured partnerships with organisations like the Salvation Army and Samaritans and previewed two upcoming creative projects: Sofa Stories, a platform for local voices, an d Men Tell, a mental health initiative using spoken word and conversation. Guests later visited nearby Feed Newport, witnessing the compassion and commitment behind Baby Basics and the Soup Kitchen, challenging recent negative portrayals of Pillgwenlly. Open weekdays, The Open Table & Pantry says it stands as a bold new hub of solidarity in Newport, where everyone is welcome, and no one is alone.


North Wales Live
10-06-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Wales tipped to get £445m for rail projects in Spending Review this week
UK Government is set to announce £445m for rail projects in Wales. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to make the announcement at the Spending Review on Wednesday. This comes after a week in which the UK Labour Government has been under attack from Plaid Cymru and other opponents over its decision to classify a new rail line between Oxford and Cambridge as a England and Wales project. This means that any money spent on it will trigger extra payments to Scotland and Northern Ireland so they can spend it on their transport systems, but not Wales. But North Wales Live understands that there will be a boost for rail in Wales at the review - aimed at driving growth. At least £445 million is set to be spent on rail projects in north and south Wales to enhance connectivity between cities, towns, and centres of advanced manufacturing. The money will be spent on fixing level crossings, building new stations, and upgrading existing lines, and is understood to be a combination of direct funding and money for the Welsh Government. Last month the Welsh Government announced a 15 point plan to improve rail services in North Wales but there were questions over how it would be funded. A Treasury source said: 'With this Government Wales will thrive, and the Chancellor has prioritised bringing forward a package that has the potential to be truly transformative.' A source said the strategic rail investment forms the cornerstone of a UK Government plan to address decades of underinvestment in critical infrastructure that has held back the Welsh economy. But a Plaid Cymru spokesperson on Transport attacked the UK Government for its decision to reclassify the £6.6bn East West Rail as an England and Wales project. Peredur Owen Griffiths MS said: 'The UK Labour Government's decision to reclassify the Oxford to Cambridge rail link as an England and Wales project is one of the most egregious examples of the Westminster government working against the best interests of the people of Wales. 'Despite the project being previously classified as an England project in the 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024 editions of the UK Government's Statement of Funding Policies, meaning Wales received a consequential – Labour have moved the goal posts and is now choosing to deny Wales much needed investment. 'For all we know, this decision could result in Welsh rail projects losing out or not happen at all because of Wales being denied its share of funding."


BBC News
30-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Young teens could pay more for Welsh buses than 16-21 year-olds
Plans to discount bus travel for young people in Wales have been botched, according to Plaid part of its budget deal with the Liberal Democrats, the Welsh government announced a trial scheme to cap single bus fares at £1 for 16-21 year current fare rates, in some areas 11-15 year olds will pay more than the new Secretary Ken Skates said negotiations are underway with the bus industry to ensure young people do not have to pay more than the cap. He said that "ideally" bus companies would contribute to ensure tickets for younger bus users, but that this had not been confirmed. Peredur Owen Griffiths, Plaid Cymru transport spokesperson, said the party agreed with the principle of the scheme but that it showed "all the signs of a botched job, designed in haste to pass this Labour Welsh government's unambitious budget"."Under the new system, learners travelling to schools will be at a disadvantage to 16-21 years olds," he said. Currently, fares in Cardiff for people aged 5-15 are £1.70 for a single journey anywhere in the city and £1.40 for the shortest journey within a local zone, such as Newport, a child aged between 5-15 pays £1.70 for any single journey in the city. In Swansea on First Bus, they pay between £1.10 and £2 depending on the pilot, from September 16-21 year olds will pay £1 for all single fares, and £3 for unlimited all-day says it wants learner travel laws updated so that 11-15 year-olds travelling to school are not disadvantaged. In the Senedd on Wednesday, Skates told the Senedd: "We are still in negotiations with the industry to ensure that young people that do not benefit from our £1 flat fair don't have to pay more."Later, in response to questions from Owen Griffiths, he added: "Ideally, bus operators will at least contribute to reducing the cost of fares for under-16s."But this is yet to be confirmed and that's why negotiations are ongoing."We intend to bring those negotiations to a satisfactory conclusion as soon as possible and certainly in time for the scheme's introduction."