AM Supports Campaign New Powers

CARL SARGEANT WELCOMES NEW POWERS TO HELP DRIVE UP BUILDING STANDARDS IN WELSH HOMES
The Labour Welsh Government has revealed plans to improve the energy efficiency of buildings as it this week assumes responsibility for building regulations from Westminster.
The devolved administration took over power for building rules from the beginning of this year and is expected to consult on new proposals to increase energy efficiency standards for new and existing homes, as well as non-domestic buildings, in March.
Environment minister John Griffiths has announced that the Welsh Government will aim to deliver a 55 per cent improvement on 2006 requirements for new homes by promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly construction.
Alyn & Deeside AM Carl Sargeant said,
"As a Welsh Labour Government we are committed to reducing the carbon emissions of the built environment and to moving to building standards that will deliver housing that is much more energy efficient, building regulations will be one of the key tools in helping us to reach our goals.
The Welsh Government’s Environment Minister John Griffiths AM said,
"Now that Wales has responsibility for setting its own building regulations we will be progressing work to make changes that will enable us to deliver a 55% improvement on 2006 requirements for new homes.
"Not only will this help us to decrease the carbon emissions of the built environment in Wales, it will also result in new homes that are much warmer and cheaper to heat."
The Welsh Government is holding a series of stake holder events to inform its proposals for increased standards for new and existing homes and non-domestic buildings. The Environment Minister is expected to consult on these proposals in March 2012.

AM Welcomes Plan

CARL SARGEANT WELCOMES AMBITIOUS VISION FOR CANCER CARE IN WALES
An ambitious vision of what cancer care should look like to help achieve rates comparable with the lowest in Europe will be set out in a new cancer plan published by the Labour Welsh Government and open to public consultation on the Welsh Government website.
This plan sets out the Welsh Government’s expectations of the NHS, working together with local government, the third sector and the public, with regard to what improvements should be delivered by 2016. The plan also identifies themes for action and will include a short document for the public what it can expect over the coming few years.
Commitments in the plan include:
• A requirement on every Health Board will to produce its own cancer delivery plan.
• Asking patients to rate their experience of the care they receive and acting on their feedback to improve the quality of care.
• Reducing the gap in the incidence of cancer between the most and least deprived communities.
• Publishing an annual report on the effectiveness of cancer services.
Alyn & Deeside AM Carl Sargeant said,
“Cancer remains a top priority for the Welsh Government. Although Wales has seen some of the most significant improvements in cancer survival in the UK during the last few years, the incidence of cancer is increasing. I welcome the consultation document as it sets out clear expectations of the NHS in Wales in tackling cancer up to 2016.

The consultation closes on 9th March 2012 and further details, including the consultation document, “Together Against Cancer: A Delivery Plan for NHS Wales” can be found on the Welsh Government’s website, www.wales.gov.uk.

AM Supports Campaign

Carl Sargeant Supports ‘BE ALARMED’ Campaign

Carl Sargeant AM for Alyn & Deeside is supporting a national campaign to raise the awareness of the importance of installing a carbon monoxide alarm in the home.

Carbon Monoxide – Be Alarmed! is the national campaign to reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by carbon monoxide. The campaign was first launched in October 2008 and continues to be an important and effective campaign today.

The campaign group say that 1.8m people in Wales are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning because they do not have an alarm.

It says research shows 74% of people are unaware that carbon monoxide - which has no colour, taste or smell - can kill, and only 15% realise it can cause brain damage.

Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas that has no colour, taste or smell. Fuel burning appliances such as stoves, fires, boilers and water heaters can produce carbon monoxide if they are incorrectly fitted, badly repaired or poorly maintained or if flues, chimneys or vents are blocked.

Alyn & Deeside AM Carl Sargeant said;

“Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer, many people are aware of the need to install a smoke detector but there is not enough awareness of the need to also have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted in the home, I would urge local Alyn & Deeside residents to undertake this simple potentially life-saving measure.”

Gas, oil and solid fuels such as coal, coke and wood can all produce carbon monoxide.

Too many people in the UK die needlessly or become seriously ill because of carbon monoxide poisoning each year. According to the Department of Health, 50 people died from carbon monoxide poisoning last year and another 4,000 were treated in hospital. However, the true number is likely to be much higher as the early symptoms can easily be mistaken for flu or tiredness.

Even if not fatal, carbon monoxide poisoning can leave lasting problems such as brain damage.

AM Supports Campaign

Carl Sargeant Supports “Respect For Shopworkers Week”
Carl Sargeant AM for Alyn & Deeside calls on customers to “keep your cool at Christmas” in support of the campaign by retail trade union Usdaw to cut down on the abuse and assaults suffered by shop staff during the Christmas shopping period.

Respect for Shopworkers Week: is taking place between 7-11 November 2011

Usdaw’s Freedom From Fear Campaign seeks to prevent violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers. This year they are organising a Respect for Shopworkers Week to highlight these important issues and raise awareness amongst shopworkers, customers, employers and politicians.

The campaign focuses on and highlights the problems in the run-up to Christmas.

Carl Sargeant AM for Alyn & Deeside said:

“I am shocked that Usdaw’s most recent survey shows that two thirds of shop staff have been abused in the last year and nearly 10% have suffered physical assault. A major cause is angry customers and reports of ‘trolley rage’ incidents are on the increase. The shop staff that I met told me that Christmas is the time when they suffer most anger and abuse.

“Christmas shopping can be exciting but stressful. I urge all customers not to take out their frustration on shop staff who have to work hard, often for long hours at this time when shops are at their busiest. I was touched by the testimony of shopworkers who have told me that verbal abuse from customers is very hurtful and can leave staff upset and depressed.”

AM Welcomes Reveiw

CARL SARGEANT WELCOMES MAJOR REVIEW OF QUALIFICATIONS

Alyn & Deeside AM Carl Sargeant has welcomed the announcement of a wide ranging review of all qualifications for 14 to 19-year-olds in Wales – in line with a Welsh Labour manifesto pledge.
The review has been commissioned as the Welsh Government wants to ensure that Welsh educational institutions are getting value for money from the qualifications they deliver, and that they are meeting the needs of learners and the economy.
The review will be wide ranging but centred around three themes:
• Identify the most relevant qualifications and ensure they are available to learners.
• Ensure qualifications are trusted and understood.
• Ensure qualifications remain fit for purpose.
The Welsh Government will also be reviewing the way they fund post 16 education, which currently has more than 10,000 different qualifications.
Carl Sargeant AM for Alyn & Deeside said,
“I welcome the news that the Welsh Government is to review which qualifications have the greatest value and which qualifications help provide the skilled workforce that our economy needs.
The Labour Welsh Government’s vision is to ensure that Qualifications for 14 to 19-year- olds meet the needs of Wales, are understood and valued, with public money focused in the right direction to help provide the skilled workforce our economy needs. The choices available to learners should also make a difference in allowing them to progress to work or higher education while qualifications need to be trusted and understood. As part of this, the Welsh Government wants to ensure that the assessments which form part of our qualifications are appropriate and fit for purpose.

CARL SARGEANT SUPPORTS MACMILLAN FUNDRAISER


Carl Sargeant AM for Alyn & Deeside joined pupils, staff, parents and Local MP Mark Tami at a fundraising Coffee Morning held at Drury Primary School, near Buckley, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support Staff.
Carl Sargeant praised the School’s latest fundraising efforts,
Carl Sargeant AM said,
“The School Hall was packed out for the Coffee morning and it was lovely to hear the school choir sing. The teachers, parents and pupils did a fantastic job to ensure that the event was a real success for the Macmillan Cancer Charity.”

Manage Your Money

Carl Sargeant Supports New Service to Help Manage Your Money

Carl Sargeant Labour AM for Alyn & Deeside has backed a new service to help people manage their money more effectively. The Money Advice Service is a new nationwide service which offers free, clear and unbiased advice and aims to make a difference to people’s lives. They are able to help people at all stages of life, whether they have just left school or graduated, are retired or are anywhere in the middle.
The service was set up by the government and is funded by a compulsory levy on the financial services but is completely independent of both.
They can provide help online, over the phone, face-to-face or at work and their Money Advisers can help with everything from the day-to-day management of money to saving, borrowing and credit, mortgages, insurance, pensions and retirement planning.
Carl Sargeant AM said,
‘I understand that managing money can often be overwhelming or confusing and so this is a great new service which will hopefully be able to help many people manage their money more efficiently and also help to make any financial choices easier for them.”
If you are interested in this service or would like more information then visit them at moneyadviceservice.org.uk where you can also take a short health check which can give you a personal action plan. Alternatively you can call them on 0300 500 5000 for personalised advice or ask your employer about arranging a free money advice programme in your workplace.