To become the UK’s first ‘Refill Nation’, work will get underway to improve access to drinking water in public places across Wales. The Welsh Government will work with City to Sea on developing the Refill campaign for Wales, as well as working closely with water companies  in Wales and more widely with our businesses, charities and major events. The work will also include a behavioural change campaign to help people see the value of water and make tap water their first choice for hydration. 

The Minister will also announce an additional £15 million of capital funding to further improve Local Authority recycling collection systems and infrastructure, including for plastics.

Speaking at the Senedd today, Hannah Blythyn will announce the key findings of the research on Extended Producer Responsibility which focused on reducing and recycling waste and reducing litter from six types of food and drink packaging.   

Responding to the report, the Minister confirmed that the Welsh Government will work with Defra and other devolved administrations on the following:

• Consider a UK based deposit return scheme (DRS) for drinks containers, and the Minister will meet her counterparts from the UK and Scottish Governments about this next week.  Any scheme must take account of risks and benefits to existing provision and recycling levels and build on the work already done in Wales. 
• Consider amendments to the Producer Responsibility Obligations Packaging Waste Regulations so that producers and retailers pay a larger share of waste management costs.
• Continue to work with HM Treasury on a UK single-use plastics tax. At the same time consideration will be given to a tax, levy or charge on single-use beverage cups for Wales.  The mandatory use of reusable cups and a potential pilot is also being considered. 

The Minister also plans to commission further feasibility studies to ensure a UK DRS delivers optimum benefits for Wales, as well as gaining a greater understanding of the types and sources of litter in Wales. 

The Minister also confirmed the Welsh Government has signed up to WRAP’s new ‘Plastics Pact’, a commitment by businesses to reduce the amount of plastic waste generated in the UK. 

The Welsh Government will be working with Welsh businesses, public sector, charities and major events to help make Wales free of unnecessary single use plastic. WRAP Cymru, funded by Welsh Government, is producing a “Plastics Recycling Route Map” for Wales, which will recommend action to increase the use of recyclate in plastic manufactured in Wales.  

The Minister said:

“Wales is a world leader in recycling. We are the best in the UK, second in Europe and third in the world. I am keen to build on this success.

“I’m pleased to announce a range of measures to further boost recycling and reduce waste, including £15m for Local Authorities to improve their recycling rates across Wales. I also want Wales to become the World’s first ‘Refill Nation’, making tap water easily accessible across the whole of Wales.  

“I am currently considering Wales’ involvement in a UK-wide deposit return scheme. Developing approaches on a UK wide basis can be less complicated for consumers and better for businesses who have told us they prefer this approach, particularly as we prepare for Brexit. I am also considering making changes to regulations so that producers and retailers pay a larger share of waste management costs.

“We continue to work with HM Treasury on a UK single-use plastics tax. At the same time we will continue to consider a tax, levy or charge on single-use beverage cups for Wales. The mandatory use of reusable cups and a potential pilot is also something I am considering.

“We were the first in the UK to bring in a plastic carrier bag charge. We can lead the way once again and make Wales the first in the world when it comes to recycling.”

Credit Unions across Wales will receive over £844,000 of funding over two years for projects that support people who are struggling financially. Projects include:

• a prison savers scheme run by Bridgend Credit Union;
• a collaborative project led by Bridgend Credit Union to develop a mobile banking app to benefit six credit unions;
• the continuation of a joint schools savings and money skills project by Bridgend Credit Union and Cardiff & Vale Credit Union;
• Celtic Credit Union expanding their community engagement and school savers projects in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot;
• work to promote Cambrian Credit Union services as an alternative to high-cost credit; and
• outreach services to be set up by Cambrian Credit Union in rural parts of Powys.

Rebecca Evans, Minister for Housing and Regeneration said: 

“Credit unions in Wales deliver financial awareness education to adults and children. They help to equip people to make good financial choices, and avoid irresponsible lenders. They support people dealing with debt problems, and provide some of the most vulnerable people with sound financial products that they would struggle to access elsewhere.”

Alun Davies, Cabinet Secretary for Local Government said:

“We all know the important role credit unions play in helping people who are struggling to manage their money. 

“This is particularly useful to prisoners, allowing them to leave custody with savings and a credit union account. This can help former prisoners reintegrate into society, for example, making it easier for them to pay their rent and to receive wages from employment – all important factors in reducing reoffending.”

Responding to the independent Health and Social Care Advisory Service (HASCAS) report published today (3 May), Mr Gething said whilst it did not substantiate previous claims of institutional abuse or neglect on the Tawel Fan ward, the report highlights failings of governance which have compromised care.  

He said: 

“This report is the result of a very extensive and thorough investigation into the care and treatment provided to patients on the Tawel Fan Ward of the Ablett Unit at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.

“Whilst the report does provide the very important reassurance that they could not substantiate previous claims of institutional abuse or neglect, it does reinforce wider failings within the health board. It highlights the need for more rapid attention to secure improvements across a range of areas, whilst recognising that some of that work is already underway. Overall the report makes it very clear there is still some way for the health board to go and this will require further focused oversight under the special measures arrangements.”

The Health Secretary urged caution about jumping to conclusions about the apparent contradiction in the conclusions of the HASCAS investigation and some earlier reports.  

“The HASCAS investigation had a much wider remit and unlike the previous report, was able to access a comprehensive set of documentation, including clinical records, and draw in specific mental health expertise,” he said.

Mr Gething added: 

“This is a very substantial report that warrants further careful reading and consideration. I will be discussing the report with the health board and responding more fully in due course.

“Whilst this will be very difficult day for both families and staff of BCU who were involved or affected by the investigation, I would hope that these HASCAS findings can act as a catalyst to the lifting of a dark shadow that has extended over mental health services in North Wales for a number of years.”

In 2015, Dr Margaret Flynn published ‘In Search of Accountability’, a report that reviewed the neglect of older people living in care homes in South East Wales, investigated as Operation Jasmine. The report recommended the development of an open and transparent reporting system for serious pressure damage to skin, known as pressure ulcers, in the care home sector in Wales.

During his visit, the Minister saw the work that has been underway in a number of care homes to develop a new web-based application, which is being used to improve staff practice to better support the identification, classification, care and management of pressure ulcers. The application can be used in any care setting and provides staff with the support and guidance they need to identify and accurately classify and report serious pressure ulcers. 

The system includes illustrative examples of skin damage to help staff determine the extent of damage they are seeing in their patients to more accurately determine the best treatment, and to prevent further damage. The guidance is based on the All Wales Tissue Viability Nurse guidance thus supporting standardisation in the care pathway.

It has been developed thanks to funding from the Welsh Government’s Efficiency Through Technology Programme. The long term goal is to make this system available throughout Wales.

Huw Irranca-Davies said:

“The Flynn report marked a sea-change in pressure ulcer prevention, care and management.  Since the report was published, the Welsh Government has been determined to improve the care of those living in our care homes.

“The tool I’ve seen in action today is a great example of the way innovative new technology is being used to support pressure ulcer recognition, management and reporting.  

“I’m especially pleased to see organisations from across social care, health, informatics, the regulators and indeed the Welsh Wound Innovation Centre working together to co-produce innovative technologies to improve the quality of care that we provide.” 

First Minister Carwyn Jones will meet with cyclists at Cardiff’s bike café today (Thursday 3 May 2018) to talk with them about the Welsh Government’s £60 million investment in Active Travel.

Earlier this week, the Welsh Government announced it is investing £60 million over the next three years to create new active travel routes across Wales, connecting people’s homes to schools, jobs and their local community. 

This is the largest ever funding boost for active travel schemes in Wales and marks a step change in the Government’s approach to Active Travel. The funding – which is the equivalent of an extra £20 per head of the Welsh population – will enable the building of major, transformative infrastructure projects, which Wales has not seen in almost a decade. 

The First Minister will discuss what local cyclists would like to see from this major funding announcement – from more cycle lanes, bike hire schemes and parking facilities to cycle super highways. 

The First Minister said: 

“Active Travel is a phrase which not everyone will recognise, but is actually part of many people’s daily routines – 61% of adults walk at least once a week and 42% of primary school children walk to school each day. 

“However, only 5% of adults cycle at least once a week, while just 1% of children typically cycle to primary school. I want to see these levels rise significantly over the next few years, and so we need the infrastructure to support this. 

“This funding – £60 million over the next three years – signals a step change in the Welsh Government’s approach to Active Travel. Funding levels for walking and cycling has fluctuated year to year, but this is a clear commitment to prioritise this work. 

“Getting more people to walk or cycle to work, school, or when popping to the shop for a pint of milk is a really straightforward action which has very real benefits. Building physical activity into our everyday lives improves our health, as well as reducing the traffic on our roads, decreasing air pollution and congestion. 

“Creating footbridges, footpaths and cycle paths also makes our communities more connected and, improves access to education, jobs and services, while reducing travel costs. 

“I am looking forward to meeting with local cyclists to hear first-hand how they would like this £60 million to be spent. Different areas of Wales present very different travel challenges, and their own experiences of cycling around Wales will be invaluable as we plan our future Active Travel projects.” 

National Director for Sustrans Cymru, Steve Brooks, said: 

“This announcement is good news for the economy, the environment and public health.

“We know that congestion is hurting Welsh business, polluting our air and contributing to ill-health.  

“This investment is a massive step forward that will help more people leave their cars at home and make short journeys on foot or by bike.”