Welsh Conservatives will today call for a comprehensive review of the progress made in improving treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder for military veterans.
The group’s opposition debate will highlight the tragic case of L/Sgt Dan Collins, the 29 year old who was found hanged on New Year's Day in a Pembrokeshire quarry. During his time in Afghanistan, Dan Collins was shot twice and lost two close friends.
Commenting on the news that Cardiff-based clothing retailer Peacocks has been bought by Edinburgh Woollen Mill, safeguarding 6,000 jobs, but making 3,100 employees redundant, Nick Ramsay AM, Shadow Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology & Science, said:
“While I am pleased that the future of many Peacocks stores has been secured, this has come at a price. It is to be welcomed that 6,000 jobs have been protected, although this will be of little comfort to the employees who have lost their jobs."
Responding to Oxfam Cymru’s event being held in the Senedd today, the Welsh Conservatives urged caution in implementing a Financial Transaction Tax without international agreement on the issue first.
With one of the largest financial sectors in the world, the UK would be hit disproportionately hard if a Financial Transaction Tax was put in place without the agreement of other financial centres like Hong Kong, Singapore or New York.
The Labour First Minister revealed today that the Welsh Government is currently examining funding for other organisations to establish if there are more ‘Awemas’.
Commenting on today’s publication of new government statistics, which show a nine per cent rise in the total number of patients experiencing a delayed transfer of care, Shadow Minister for Health Darren Millar AM, said:
“Like overlong waiting times, bed blocking is an on-going problem under Labour that shows no sign of going away."
Commenting on the publication of the report by the Welsh Affairs Select Committee on inward investment, Nick Ramsay AM, Shadow Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology & Science, said:
“Abolishing a globally-recognised brand like the WDA and expecting the Welsh Government to fulfil the same skills needs in-house was naïve."
The Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Assembly has appointed Suzy Davies as the group’s new policy director.
The South Wales West Assembly Member replaces David Melding, who held the position for ten years.
Commenting on the announcement from the Labour Education Minister that primary school banding will be delayed until 2014, Angela Burns AM, Shadow Minister for Education, said:
“I welcome the Minister’s decision to take his primary school banding plans back to the drawing board."
Commenting on the Finance Minister’s update on the Awema fiasco, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Assembly Andrew RT Davies AM, said:
“Another statement, another example of accountability shirked by the Labour government. This statement should have been made in the chamber, with questions from all parties to follow."
The number of violent attacks on teachers has risen by over a third over the past three years, according to figures released by the Welsh Conservatives today.
The number of assaults on teachers rose by as much as 50% in some local authorities including Swansea, Blaenau Gwent and Rhondda Cynon Taff.
