£450 to children most in need will lead to £2.8m extra for Swansea schools.

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Llangyfelach School

The total package will mean that schools in Swansea, will receive an additional £2.8m. We have listed all the schools in Swansea here together with the number of pupils in each one receiving free school meals in 2011/12 and an estimate of how much each would recieve if the pupil deprivation grant were available this year.

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• Jan 31, 2012:
  • Enterprise zone snub is a blow for Swansea region
    The decision by the Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science not to award an Enterprise Zone to the Swansea area, is a blow for the City and the region around it, the Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, has said. Mr. Black was reacting to the announcement today that two new Enterprise Zones will be established in Gwynedd and Pembrokeshire. The Minister rejected a specific bid from Swansea Council in partnership with Swansea University, to establish a themed zone based on the work being carried on by the University in Life Sciences and engineering. "I am particularly disappointed at this snub to the Swansea region," said Mr. Black. "A lot of work went into producing an exciting and innovative proposal that would have focused on high-tech jobs and research-based development, but that appears to have been rejected out of hand with no explanation and no transparency as to how that decision was reached. "Once more the Welsh Labour government has failed to provide the investment and support that Swansea needs to grow its economy. I expected better of them." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jan 24, 2012:
  • 'Destruction of Libanus chapel underlines need to improve how we protect our heritage'
    The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, has raised the destruction of Libanus Chapel in Swansea by fire at the weekend with the Welsh Heritage Minister. Speaking in response to a Government statement on, 'Priorities for the historic environment of Wales', Mr. Black described the fire that swept through the 100 year old chapel on Cwmbwrla roundabout on Saturday morning as, 'a tragic loss of an important part of our heritage'. He called on the Minister to review the way that Cadw and other government agencies seek to protect important and iconic buildings like Libanus. "Libanus chapel has been empty for the best part of a decade and has suffered from vandalism and general neglect," said Mr. Black. "Local Councillors have worked hard to try and find alternative uses for it but that has not proved possible. Instead, they have concentrated on making it safe and dealing with any problems as they arose. "The fate of Libanus and other historic buildings underlines the importance of re-evaluating the value of community buildings, how they can be preserved and how we can find new uses for them. Nobody is really doing that job and that needs to change." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jan 19, 2012:
  • Uncertain future of Digital Technium is costing Swansea jobs
    The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has questioned the future of Swansea's Digital Technium after information he obtained by way of a Freedom of Information request revealed that since mid-August 2011 only renewals of existing leases in the building have been accepted despite widespread business interest in the Technium. All existing tenancies come to an end in 2013, with a number ending in January and February this year. Only one new lease has been granted since April 2010. With just over 50% occupancy the Technium has proven itself to be an excellent base of high-tech business and is currently recording a surplus of income over expenditure. This amounted to £35,000 in the 2010/11 financial year and £23,000 between April and October 2011. But uncertainty over the future of the site has already cost jobs. The Minister's decision to end European funding for the University of Wales Prince of Wales Innovation Scholarship scheme last year without putting any alternative scheme in place has already seen plans for an IT development centre, which would have created up to 100 jobs in the city, axed. Mr. Black further understands that despite this, New Zealand Company, Pingar was still prepared to expand its activities within the Technium but was refused a lease and consequently is now looking to relocate to Cambridge, taking several hundred new high-tech jobs with it. Mr. Black said: "Techniums were built at great public expense and it seems wasteful in the extreme to allow them to become vacant white elephants at the point where they have become profitable and are in demand. I am particularly concerned that the current lengthy review of their purpose and the moratorium on new leases that has arisen out of that is deterring new investment and jobs from coming to Wales, and Swansea in particular. The Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science needs to act urgently to safeguard high-tech jobs and profitable businesses based in Swansea by ending the uncertainty over the Digital Technium's future and instigating a viable replacement for the POWIS scholarship scheme. Swansea and Wales as a whole cannot afford to lose ground to other areas of the UK when competing for high-tech business. Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jan 5, 2012:
  • Assembly Member expresses concern at rise in workload for District Nurses in ABMU Health Board area
    Figures released to the Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for South Wales West, Peter Black, show a decline in the number of District Nurses in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend, whilst at the same time the number of clients dependent on their services has increased by nearly one fifth. In Bridgend the number of qualified district nurses fell from 69.64 whole time equivalents in 2008 to 67.47 by April 2011. Over the same period the number of clients being cared for by the service rose from 4592 to 5435. In Neath Port Talbot qualified staff went from 74.49 WTE to 67.08, with the client base increasing from 3195 to 4418. Whilst Swansea's qualified whole time equivalent staff dropped from 94.981 to 86.481. Their client base remained relatively steady, rising slightly from 3127 in 2008 to 3427 in 2010. Commenting on the figures, Mr. Black said: "Despite the fact that ABMU Health Board have said that they are investing in community services and changing the skill mix of staff so as to meet demand, these figures still show a significant increase in workload for District Nurses and the Health Care Workers who work with them. "At a time when the Welsh NHS is seeking to get people out of hospital and provide more care for patients in their own homes, these trends are very worrying. My concern is that these increased workloads will take their toll on the health of District Nursing staff and increase stress levels. I am certainly supportive of the move towards more community medicine and patient independence where appropriate, but we have to have confidence that there is sufficient investment in the relevant services and support staff so as to deliver that safely. I hope that ABMU can give those assurances." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Dec 30, 2011:
  • Assembly Member calls on Welsh Government to intervene in Swansea-Cork Ferry crisis
    The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, has written to the Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science, Edwina Hart to ask her to intervene to save the Swansea-Cork ferry. Mr. Black wrote his letter after meeting with representatives of the ferry company, who are seeking to raise one million Euros to prevent the service being closed down for good. They demonstrated that the ferry brings about £20 million extra into the Swansea and South Wales economy and that its closure will lead to job losses and threats to other businesses in the area. "I am aware that neither Swansea Council nor their neighbouring local authorities have sufficient funds to contribute any significant amounts to save this service," said Mr. Black, "However, the Welsh Government does have the resources to invest and are able to make a big difference to the economy in Swansea and its surrounding area by putting in a small amount of money now. "I understand that so far the Minister has declined to assist the ferry company in this endeavour. I hope that she will now change her mind so that we can continue to benefit from this service and the link it provides between Swansea and Cork." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Nov 30, 2011:
  • £30 million of extra money for pensions in South Wales West
    It has been announced this week in the Westminster Autumn Statement that, as of April 2012, the basic state pension will increase by £5.30 per week, the largest ever cash increase in the basic state pension. Due to Liberal Democrat influence in Government, every pensioner in Wales will get a guaranteed rise in their state pension matching the highest of inflation, increase in average earning or 2.5%. This means that this year 109,870 people in South Wales West will get a rise of £5.30 a week, totalling £30,280,172 of extra money for pensions in South Wales West. Peter Black, Assembly Member for South Wales West, commented: "During these difficult times, Liberal Democrats in Government are making a real difference for today's pensioners. "The Liberal Democrats have restored the link between the basic State Pension and earnings broken by Thatcher. Labour had thirteen years to do it themselves and did nothing. Our 'triple lock guarantee' means that the basic State Pension will increase by whichever is the highest of earnings, consumer prices or 2.5%. The earnings link alone will give an average pensioner an extra £15,000 during their retirement. "Many pensioners will remember Labour's pitiful rise in the state pension of 75p, which was frankly insulting. This Coalition Government has given pensioners a guaranteed rise of inflation, an increase in average earning or 2.5%, which is the highest, for this year on." "I know this will be a great help for over 109,870 people in South Wales West as a pensioner retiring today can expect to receive around £15,000 more in basic pension over the course of their retirement than they would have done under Labour." "This new flat rate will particularly benefit women and will ensure future pensioners have the guarantee of a decent future, something the Liberal Democrats have been campaigning on for years and are now delivering in Government." Diwedd/Ends Notes to Editor: 1. The triple lock guarantee of a rise in the state pension by the highest of inflation, the rise in earnings or 2.5% was in the Liberal Democrat manifesto at the last General Election. 2. The Liberal Democrat manifesto also said that a Liberal Democrat Government would look into creating a simple, universal pension. 3. Please find the statistics attached Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Nov 25, 2011:
  • £450 to children most in need will lead to £5.8m boost for South Wales West Schools
    The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has welcomed the budget deal between Labour and the Liberal Democrats that will deliver an extra £450 directly to local schools for each child on free school meals. The total package will mean that schools in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend will have an extra £5.8 million to spend from May next year, targeted on the poorest children, who are already under-achieving. This breaks down as £2.57m for Swansea, £1.53m for Bridgend and £1.71m for Neath Port Talbot. Commenting on the outcome of the budget negotiations, Mr. Black said this was a good deal for schools that will go some way to closing the £600 per pupil funding gap between England and Wales: "Investment in local schools is the best way to break down the cycle of poverty, poor health and a weak economy," said Mr. Black. "Welsh Liberal Democrats have ensured that education has been given a much higher priority in the budget. "The pupil premium will begin to break the link, school by school, community by community, between poverty and attainment that has dogged our education system for so long." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Nov 22, 2011:
  • AM regrets Swansea Coastguard closure
    Commenting on the news that Swansea Coastguard Station will be closed Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for South Wales West, Peter Black said : "I have consistently opposed the plans to close Swansea Coastguard Station and very much regret that the strong case put together by the cross-party campaign has not been listened to. This coastguard station covers the busiest waters in the United Kingdom, including the Bristol Channel. It staff had specialist knowledge of the area that cannot be replaced and were able to coordinate a number of rescues as a result. There must be a very real risk that lives will be lost as a result of this decision by the Minister. "I do not believe that there is sufficient capacity and expertise at Milford Haven to cover the role fulfilled at Swansea. I also find the reasons given for closure as bizarre. This should not have been about employment but safety. I would urge the unions representing staff at Swansea to consider a judicial review of this decision." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Nov 18, 2011:
  • Peter Black calls upon Football Association for Wales to help fight racism
    The Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Equalities and Sport, Peter Black has urged the Football Association for Wales to issue a statement condemning FIFA President, Sepp Blatter's comments on tackling racism in sport with a 'handshake'. Mr. Black has signed a statement of opinion in the Welsh Assembly that reaffirms the principle that racism on and off the pitch is unacceptable. Commenting, Mr. Black said: 'I look to football to set an example not reassert prejudice. That is why I was particularly shocked by the laid-back remarks of Sepp Blatter. There should be a no-tolerance policy on racism for players, fans and officials. If FIFA fail to provide a lead on this matter then the Football Association for Wales should step in and do so for the game locally. "I am particularly proud of Swansea City Football Club's record on this issue as Wales' only Premiership side. Sepp Blatter's remarks have undermined their efforts to stamp out racism as well. That is unacceptable. This sort of hatred and prejudice needs to be challenged wherever it is found." Ends Note: The Statement of Opinion reads: The National Assembly for Wales: 1.Condemns comments made by Sepp Blatter President of FIFA that deny racism is a problem on the pitch in football and that any incidents on the pitch should be resolved with a handshake. 2. Calls on the Football Association of Wales (FAW) to issue a clear statement condemning Sepp Blatter's comments and reaffirming the FAW's commitment to tackling racism in sport. 3. Believes that racism on and off the pitch is unacceptable. 4. Believes that sporting administrators and leaders have a duty to challenge racism and its impact on players, officials and fans alike This story can be found on the following link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15757165.stm Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Nov 9, 2011:
  • UK Government urged to reconsider its Feed-in-Tariff proposals for alternative energy
    The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has added his voice to calls for the Westminster Government to reconsider its recent announcement of a reduction in Feed-in-Tariffs (FITs): the price that is paid to people who generate their own electricity and sell the surplus back to the National Grid. Under the current Feed-in-Tariffs scheme, those who fit solar panels to existing properties can sell any surplus power back to the Grid for 43.3p/KWh. The Government is proposing to reduce this rate to 21p/KWh for installations registered and fitted after 12th December, 2011. "The Welsh Liberal Democrat Group in the Assembly are concerned that this proposed change will undermine the Government's commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and the promotion of renewable energy," said Mr. Black. "It could act as a major disincentive for families and those who run community facilities to fit solar panels, and seriously jeopardises the UK's ability to reach its renewable energy targets." "I am also concerned at the impact of these changes on local jobs. One Swansea-based electrical company who contacted me expressed serious concerns about the speed with which this change is being implemented. He said that the backlash from customers has been massive already; with many cancelling, and requesting refund of their deposits. At the same time, his company are attempting to secure two to three times the proposed levels of stock, to allow them to get through as many customers as possible within the time allocated. He did not know if the company would survive the week." "There is no doubt that the FITs scheme has been a victim of its own success, with nearly three times as many applications received than anticipated, making the initial rates unsustainable in the medium to long term. However, I believe that by making this premature announcement, while the consultation on FITs reform is still underway, the UK Government is risking our long term renewable energy requirements for short term savings. The Government needs to rethink and I very much welcome the fact that the Welsh Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson, William Powell has written to Chris Huhne, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, to urge him to reconsider." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Nov 1, 2011:
  • Assembly Member demands action on First Responders' clampdown
    The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, has demanded action from the Health minister to resolve the dispute between the Welsh Ambulance Trust and the Fire Service over the first response scheme to medical emergencies, after an 89 year old lady in Rhossili waited 55 minutes for an Ambulance last week. Until recently, an agreement existed whereby part time firefighters in rural areas would respond first to a medical emergency so as to provide comfort and basic first aid. However, the Ambulance Trust has scaled back this activity so that fire fighters are now only called out to deal with five categories of call rather than the 140 categories previously. In the Assembly chamber today Mr. Black demanded a statement from the Minister as to how she will resolve this issue. "I understand that it is not always possible to get an Ambulance to a remote spot within the target times, which is why the first responder scheme was introduced in the first place," said Mr. Black. "The scaling back of this scheme has left many people without the support they need from the emergency services. "The 89 year old lady in Rhossili who was left waiting 55 minutes when a first responder could have been there in less than 10 is the latest to suffer because of this decision. It is time the Minister intervened to sort this out." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Oct 22, 2011:
  • 100 high value jobs lost to Swansea area as a result of Welsh Government decision on funding claims Assembly Member
    South Wales West Liberal Democrat Assembly Member, Peter Black has written to the Welsh Government's Business and Enterprise Minister, Edwina Hart seeking an explanation, after a potential investment that would have brought 100 high value jobs to the Swansea area was lost following her decision to end a research-based funding scheme without proper consultation. Mr. Black has raised with the Minister reports in this morning's press that the her decision to end European funding to University of Wales' POWIS scholarships without putting any alternative scheme in place has led directly to a proposal to establish an IT development centre, which could have created up to 100 jobs in the Swansea area, being withdrawn. The Western Mail reports that New Zealand-based software development company Pingar had been planning to set up a Centre for Knowledge Engineering here but that it is now likely to choose the east of England instead. John Beer, who was responsible for the project and who is himself a POWIS scholar is quoted as saying that there was a "lack of transparency" over the end of the POWIS scheme and that companies that had benefited from the project had learnt about its demise through the media rather than from government. In his letter, Mr. Black asks the Minister to outline what contact her officials have had with this company and what communication the Welsh Government had with companies benefiting from POWIS about the decision to end funding. He asks how the Minister reassured these companies about funding for future research? "From an outsider's viewpoint it certainly seems to be the case that Mr. Beer's suggestion that the future of collaboration has been wiped out in one fell swoop is correct," said Mr. Black. "I am very concerned that the Swansea area is potentially losing one hundred much-needed high value jobs and I want to know what contact Welsh Government officials have had with this company to persuade them to change their mind. "I am not questioning the assertion by Ministers that there were problems with the way that European funding was being used, they are in a better position to judge that than me. However, the way that the decision was put into effect has impacted upon a number of businesses and the future prosperity of Wales. The Minister needs to say when an alternative scheme will be up-and-running to address this imbalance." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Oct 19, 2011:
  • Peter Black encourages South Wales West residents to take back control of their energy bills
    Peter Black and Duncan McCombie inspect the gadgets. South Wales West Liberal Democrat Assembly Member, Peter Black has teamed up with the Energy Saving Trust on behalf of his constituents in Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot and Bridgend that the average home in Wales can save up to £280 a year by being energy efficient. He sais that with the cost of energy bills on the rise there's no better time than now for householders to take back control of their bills. He urged householders to take advantage of Energy Saving Week between 24th and 28th October 2011 to learn more about the options available to them. As people in Wales face ever increasing energy bills, Mr. Black was informed that everyday items such as TV's and computers are responsible for a staggering 34 per cent of the UK's carbon production. He was shown a number of nifty gadgets which can make day-to-day life easier whilst helping to reduce bills. One such item was the Eco Kettle? If everybody in the UK switched to an Energy Saving Trust Recommended kettle, then £270million in electricity could be saved annually. He was told that other household swaps like switching traditional bulbs for new, energy efficient ones can also make a huge difference. Newer style Energy Saving Trust Recommended bulbs last ten times longer than their predecessor and cost just £2 each, meaning a substantial saving of between £45 and £70 over its lifetime. Duncan McCombie, Energy Saving Trust director of operations for Wales, said: "It's been a pleasure to team up with Peter Black for Energy Saving Week. "Just a few small changes to day-to-day life can have a profound impact on the amount of energy being consumed and the carbon being produced as a nation. Energy saving works best when it doesn't mean huge lifestyle changes. We are all suffering from increasingly hectic lifestyles, and this Energy Saving Week we're really pushing the concept that changes needn't be difficult in order to take control of your bills." Mr. Black added: "We are all responsible for contributing to reducing Wales' carbon footprint. The cash savings that could go hand in hand with cutting energy use in households, means in these economic times, that there's never been a more prudent time to take up these tips. "I'd urge people across South Wales West to use Energy Saving Week as a kick-start to following a few simple changes in a bid to reduce carbon emissions in their area." This Energy Saving Week the Energy Saving Trust is offering householders in Wales the chance to win five top energy saving gadgets and an in-home visit from the 'Energy Doctor' who will help identify ways in which the winning home could save money on energy bills. To enter the competition please visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/wales For more top tips on energy saving go to www.energysavingtrust.org.uk For further information please contact Natalie Sibbald (natalie.sibbald@est.org.uk) or Lisa Wallace (lisa.wallace@est.org.uk) at Energy Saving Trust on 02920 468340 Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Oct 11, 2011:
  • Peter Black wears it pink to fund a cure for breast cancer
    The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, has joined forces with Breast Cancer Campaign to raise awareness of its award winning fundraising event, wear it pink day, supported by Vanish. On Friday 28 October 2011 supporters in schools, colleges and businesses throughout the country are encouraged to don an item of pink in support of Campaign and each donate £2 to fund innovative, world-class breast cancer research. Last year hundreds of thousands people took part in wear it pink to help improve survival rates for the one in eight women who experience breast cancer during their lifetime. Peter Black says "It is estimated that there are around 22,000 women and 150 men alive in Wales that have been diagnosed with breast cancer. I know people who have lost friends and family members to the disease and would like to encourage everyone in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend and throughout the country to support wear it pink on October 28, to raise valuable funds for breast cancer research." To take part in the UK's original and best pink day visit www.wearitpink.co.uk and register to receive your free fundraising pack now. wear it pink is supported by Vanish, which has committed to raising an incredible £250,000 for the charity this year. Ends Notes to editors wear it pink takes place on Friday 28 October. For more information visit wearitpink.co.uk. If required, higher resolution pictures are available from policy@breastcancercampaign.org Stacey Solomon and Sally Dynevor are celebrity wear it pink ambassadors. Photos available. Breast Cancer Campaign aims to beat breast cancer by funding innovative world-class research to understand how breast cancer develops, leading to improved diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure. The charity currently funds 105 projects worth almost £17.5 million in 31 locations across the UK and Ireland. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and accounts for nearly one in three of all cancers in women. In Wales, around 2,500 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year The Breast Cancer Campaign Tissue Bank, the UK's first ever national breast cancer tissue bank is a unique collaboration with four leading research institutions to create a vital resource of breast cancer tissue for researchers across the UK and Ireland. Visit breastcancertissuebank.org Visit breastcancercampaign.org or follow us at twitter.com/bccampaign. Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Oct 1, 2011:
  • Assembly Member has 'qualified welcome' for Virgin Media proposals
    Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has commented upon Virgin Media's proposal - announced on Friday- to develop their Swansea call-centre into a centre of excellence for customer management throughout the UK. Mr. Black said: "This proposal is good news for most staff at the Virgin Media call-centre in Swansea, and for the city itself. Virgin Media told me on Friday that they intend to develop their base here as a centre of excellence for customer management throughout the UK, and that they will be moving the outsourced staff in-house as employees of Virgin Media. This will safeguard 600 of the 680 jobs in Swansea. "Staff from their call centre base in Liverpool, which is to close, will be offered the chance to relocate to Swansea. "However, until the fate of the remaining 80 staff in Swansea is clear, it is only possible to give this news a qualified welcome. I know that the company are in talks with the staff concerned, the trade unions, and with their present employer to reach a solution. "This will be a worrying time for these 80 people and their families. That is why I am urging the company to resolve the situation swiftly and fairly. I have asked to meet the company locally so in case there is any assistance I can offer." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Sep 20, 2011:
  • Assembly Member expresses concern at failure to allocate an Enterprise Zone to Swansea
    The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has expressed his concern at the decision of the Welsh Minister for Business and Enterprise not to allocate one of the new Enterprise Zones to the Swansea area. Mr. Black was speaking in light of the announcement last night that five new themed Enterprise Zones would be set up with additional incentives for business in Cardiff, Ynys Mon, Ebbw Vale, Deeside and St Athan. The Minister's decision comes just hours after Jaguar Land Rover confirmed plans for a £355m factory on the Wolverhampton i54 business park Enterprise Zone, employing up to 750 workers and creating a further 1,200 ancillary jobs. There is speculation that Wales lost out because it had been so slow to create its own Enterprise Zones. "The Wolverhampton decision underlines the importance of these new Enterprise Zones," said Mr. Black. "I am very disappointed indeed that the Minister has failed to acknowledge the need for one in Swansea. The Welsh Government has once more let the City down in its support for our economy. "The creation of an Enterprise Zone in Swansea around the high technology and engineering work coming out of the Life Science Institute at the university and proposed for the second campus would have proved a major benefit in attracting high quality, well paid jobs to the area. That the Minister has not recognised this is disappointing and raises questions about her commitment to these projects." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Aug 25, 2011:
  • Minister confirms investigation into other potential hazards after Fforestfach tyre fire
    The Welsh Environment Minister has confirmed in a letter to Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member, Peter Black, that the Environment Agency has started a review of sites across Wales that may present a similar fire risk to the recent conflagration on the Fforestfach Industrial Estate in Swansea. Up to 5,000 tonnes of shredded tyre waste on the old Mettoy site in Fforestfach took 23 days to put out at a projected cost to the local Council of £1.5 million after it caught fire on 16 June this year. The fire caused traffic chaos in the City, whilst an investigation has got underway into possible health effects on the local population. The Minister writes that the Environment Agency review will involve a proactive programme of visits to identify and mitigate potential risks in partnership with the Police and the Fire and Rescue Service. He says that it will take between two and three months to complete the initial visits. "This is the first official admission that the Environment Agency has a list of hazardous sites, which I believe included the Fforestfach fire factory," said Peter Black. "What is disturbing is that although there was clearly some monitoring of the sites this appeared to be very much a paper exercise. It took a massive and disruptive fire to get the Environment Agency to sit up and take action to ensure that the sites are secure and do not pose a risk to the public." "I am pleased that action is now being taken but a three month work programme now does not inspire much confidence in the future security of these sites. It all seems to be too little too late. I will be writing back to the Minister to ask him to provide more details about the long term security of these sites and what action is being taken to ensure that the hazardous material dumped on them is being properly and safely disposed of." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jul 28, 2011:
  • AM appalled at unacceptable 5 month discharge wait
    Peter Black, South Wales West Welsh Liberal Democrat AM, has criticised Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board for making an elderly patient wait five months before he can be discharged from hospital because of incompetent Health Board procedures. Mr. Williams, a constituent of Mr. Black who lives in Swansea, must wait to be assessed for specialist equipment before he is discharged. He has been told that he will have to wait three months for an assessment and then a further two months to receive the specialist sitting chair. Mr. Williams was initially told that he would have to wait 12 months before being assessed. His case was upgraded to 'urgent' after an intervention by his Occupational Therapist. Mr. Williams is being treated at Singleton Hospital, Swansea. Peter Black AM said: "This is simply not good enough. Mr. Williams is ready to go home to his wife after several weeks in the hospital but because of ABM Health Board's incompetency, he will have to wait three months to be assessed for a specialist chair and he may have to wait a further two months to get the specialist chair installed in his home. "There is systemic failure, not only in ABM Health Board but across Wales, in the way people are admitted, treated and discharged in our hospitals. Through no fault of his own, Mr. Williams is using a bed that could be used for another patient. Mr Williams wants to go home and free up a much needed bed but he is unable to be discharged because of inept and dawdling Health Board practices and procedures. I strongly suspect that this is not an isolated case. "I have written to the Acting Chief Executive of the Health Board to impress upon her that cases like this must be avoided at all time. It is not good for the running of the health system, practically and financially, but most importantly, it is not good for the individual patients concerned." Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jul 26, 2011:
  • Assembly Member urges Minister to retain Swansea Coastguard Station
    The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, has written to the UK Department of Transport asking them to retain Swansea Coastguard Station. Mr. Black has written to the Minister responsible but he has also completed the consultation form on the Maritime and Coastguard Agency website. He wrote: "The loss of Swansea Coastguard Station is a particularly serious threat to safety in the Swansea area and the wider Bristol Channel. This coastguard station covers the area from Gower along the Welsh coast as far as Bristol and back along the Avon, Somerset and Devon coastline. In 2010 the number of incidents involving Swansea coastguard was 2,074 and the coastguard workers union say it is the second busiest station in the UK in terms of inshore search and rescue operations. That compares with 1,006 that were attended by Milford Haven coastguard station and 1,137 recorded by Holyhead Station The specialist knowledge of the coastguards based at this station is key to saving lives, whether it is in directing rescue operations in the treacherous currents of the Loughor estuary, understanding the geography of the many bays and inlets off the Bristol Channel for cliff side rescues or directing operations around a person trapped in the many mud traps on the coastline. Milford Haven traditionally works directing operations around the Pembrokeshire coastline and Cardigan Bay and does not have the capacity nor the local knowledge to take over from Swansea. Inevitably, if they are engaged on an incident then the next coastguard station to take over coordinating rescue operations in the Bristol Channel will be Stornoway or the Solent. That in itself is absurd and unsustainable. In addition, Swansea Coastguard Station regularly cooperates with different agencies in the southwest of England and South Wales which significantly contributes to increase safety of British coasts. Swansea is better placed strategically to co-ordinate activity in and around the Bristol Channel　 and the staff there have a wealth of experience in this regard. Above all I am confused as to the reasons given for closure which, according to statements in the House of Commons appears to be that the Government want to spread Transport Department jobs around. The considerations in these proposals should be about safety and operational effectiveness not a newly emerged jobs strategy. On this grounds it seems to me that keeping Swansea Coastguard Station open is the only logical option.　 Finally, I would draw your attention to proposals to construct a major deep water wind farm near to Lundy island. This is a major undertaking that will involve the transport of equipment and turbines, labour and machinery from Swansea, Port Talbot and Milford Haven over the construction period of the Atlantic Array. The coordination of this traffic around existing uses, including the hundreds of surfers, boat owners, survey vessels, water skiers, passenger and commercial shipping is a massive undertaking that needs an experienced and knowledgeable coastguard station to oversee it. Milford Haven do not meet that criteria, whilst Solent and Stornoway would be even more remote." Mr. Black has urged members of the public to let Ministers know the strength of public feeling against this closure proposal by completing the consultation form, questions three and four on the MCA website at http://feedback.mcga.gov.uk/v.asp?i=38227kwyqj&m=&tiag=1&x= Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jul 23, 2011:
  • Assembly Member calls for action on adult qualifications scandal
    The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has called for action after a survey carried out by the University and College Union showed that than one in every seven adults of working age in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend do not have a qualification. The analysis, from UCU, reveals 'two Britains' divided between the educational haves and have nots. It ranks the 632 parliamentary constituencies in England, Scotland and Wales according to the percentage of working age people (16-64) who have no qualifications. A total of 252,200 or 13.3% of adults in Wales do not hold any qualification, more than the 11.3% which is the UK average. Only Northern Ireland (20.4%) has a worse record than Wales. However, when the results are analysed by Welsh region, the South Wales West Assembly seat has 48,300 or 14.63% unqualified adults, above the Welsh average. The three poorest performing constituencies are Aberavon on 17.9%, Ogmore on 16.8% and Swansea East on 20.6%. Neath is also worse than the Welsh average with 13.8%. Mr. Black said: "The only way that our region is going to grow economically is if we have a skilled and enthusiastic workforce that is attractive to investors from elsewhere and to local entrepreneurs alike. This survey carried out by lecturers' trade union UCU shows how far we have to travel. "The situation that this piece of research highlights is not one that has come about in the last year, but highlights the way in which Labour have been content to let education standards slip behind the rest of Britain over their years in charge. What is needed now is action to put the situation right in our region and across Wales as a matter of urgency." ENDS Note for editors: details of the survey and a breakdown by constituency can be found here: http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=5676 Published and promoted by Peter Black, 1st Floor, 70 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5TN. This website was established while I was an AM and is paid for by me. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

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