Peter Black AM and South Wales West Liberal Democrats News Stories (Swansea and Gower Liberal Democrats)

Apr 2, 2012:
- Labour's wrong transport priorities threaten higher bus fares and fewer buses
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has hit out at Welsh Labour Government funding cuts to bus companies across Wales, which he believes could threaten bus services in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend and will force fares to increase. The 20% cut to bus fuel subsidies were announced without sufficient notice for bus companies to prepare and without consulting two key, publicly-funded organisations, Public Transport Users' Committee (PTUC) for Wales, which is tasked with giving ministers advice about "strategic issues" relating to public transport, and Bus Users UK Cymru, whose role includes advising ministers on "strategic and technical developments" relating to buses. Mr. Black is particularly critical of the cut in subsidy as the Welsh Labour government is continuing to splash-out £1.6 million a year on an air link between Cardiff and Anglesey, which works out at £160 per passenger. This contrasts with the bus fuel subsidy, which comes in at £2 a head for the 114 million people using Welsh buses each year. Commenting, Mr. Black said: "We are now reaching the point where it will be cheaper for a family to get a taxi to the local shops, rather than get a bus. "It is a scandal the Welsh Labour Government is happy to subsidise North-South flights to the tune of £1.6m a year, while at the same time it punishes the most vulnerable in our society by scaling back on bus subsidies. "We know that money is tight at the moment, which makes it all the more unbelievable that the Labour government would continue to fund this unpopular air service while threatening local bus routes in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend. "The Welsh Labour Government needs to spend public money more wisely. Welsh Liberal Democrats believe that rather than wasting over £1.6 million each year on an air service that only a handful of people use, the money should be used to support more sustainable transport methods that can benefit everybody." 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
Mar 23, 2012:
- Assembly Member welcomes Credit Union - Swansea Prison link
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West Peter Black has welcomed a new initiative that sees Swansea's LASA Credit Union and HMP Swansea get together to offer prisoners credit union accounts. Mr Black was instrumental in setting the scheme up by negotiating with the Ministry of Justice in London to keep the project on schedule. Mr Black visited the prison today together with Denis Greenhall, the manager of LASA, and Nick Tregoning, the Chair of the LASA Board to meet with HMP Swansea staff and some of the prisoners who have already joined the credit union. Mr Black said: "Enabling former prisoners to re-integrate swiftly into the community upon release is absolutely vital, and helps to prevent re-offending. That is why I am delighted to see this project getting under way. "Prisoners can join LASA, and save money from their earnings while they are still completing their sentences. This means that they will have a lump sum saved upon release that they will be able to use for housing costs or other expenses to tide them over until they are able to access a source of regular income. Nick Tregoning added: "The other major advantage is that prisoners will be able to use their credit union account to continue to play a significant part in the lives of their families by being able to pay for household expenses, birthday presents and the like." 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
Mar 21, 2012:
- Swansea University second campus still lacks a business plan
  The Welsh Liberal Democrats Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, has expressed his concern after the Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science Minister told the Welsh Assembly today, that she has not yet received a business plan for Swansea University's second science campus. Edwina Hart told Assembly Members that the University has plans for a £350m development in two stages on the Fabian Way site, starting in summer 2012 with a completion date of 2015. As part of the funding for this project the University is seeking a £15m grant from the Welsh Government and £15m of European grant funding. However, with the clock ticking, the Minister is still to receive a business plan that will enable her to release this money. Commenting on the admission, Peter Black said: "This project is already significantly behind project and is once more facing a significant deadline, and yet the Welsh Government is still waiting for the all-important business plan so as to consider handing over much-needed funding. "Given the time it will take for the Welsh Government to properly evaluate and scrutinse the business plan when it is received, it is difficult to believe that the university will be able to get the project off the ground this summer. "This tardiness on behalf of the university authorities raises a number of questions as to the sustainability of this project. Is the university being too ambitious? Do they have the capacity to deliver a scheme of this size and scale? Is it affordable and in particular, are the University able to raise the additional capital money they need and can they guarantee the income streams needed to keep it going once built? Are there problems in attracting the 5,000 students and the rent they bring with them to live so far out from the City Centre?" 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
Mar 16, 2012:
- Assembly Member visits Swansea Remploy factory to show support for fight against closure
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales, Peter Black has visited the Remploy factory in Swansea and addressed workers so as to express his support for their fight to keep it open. Mr. Black arranged the visit after the UK Government announced plans to close seven of the nine Remploy factories in Wales just over a week ago. He was also the joint author of a motion passed unanimously by Swansea Council last night pledging their support for the factory and agreeing to lobby for its retention. Commenting on the visit, Mr. Black said: "When I toured the factory this morning I was shocked by the process of managed decline that has taken place there over the last five or six years. Although, the announcement of the proposed closure was a shock, it seems that successive Governments have been preparing for it for some time. "It was explained to me that essential machinery was not being replaced or updated, that modernisation plans had been put on hold and that vacancies had not been filled for some time. As a result workers were under pressure to fulfil all their work commitments. "I am also concerned about what will happen to the existing contracts and to new contracts that have been signed recently. These factories are not short of work. They are working to full capacity. Management need to explain whether these existing contracts will be switched to the remaining factories and also if workers will be transferred with them. "What is clear is that there are many questions still to be answered about the Government's proposals. We need those answers now if we are to have any chance of saving jobs." 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
Mar 13, 2012:
- Record numbers of houses keeping warmer in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales, Peter Black has welcomed figures which show that nearly 30,000 homes in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend have received free loft or cavity wall insulation since 2008. Under the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) energy companies are obliged to help households in Wales reduce their use of electricity and gas to lower their carbon emissions. Suppliers are required to concentrate at least 40% of their activity on vulnerable and low-income households, such as people over 70. In Swansea 13,625 households have benefited from wall or loft insulation with 10,015 homes in Bridgend and 6,311 homes in Neath Port Talbot also benefiting. Commenting, Mr. Black said: "These figures show that going green can save people money. Thanks to this duty on energy companies to insulate houses without cost to the homeowner, many households will have lower bills and can keep their houses warmer. "From this autumn, Liberal Democrats have ensured the Green Deal will continue this work. The Green Deal will mean every home and business in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend is properly insulated over the coming years. "With the Green Deal, the Coalition Government is doing the right thing for the environment, household budgets and the economy. Not only does this mean lower energy bills for everyone but this huge investment will create green jobs and investment which leave a lasting legacy." Ends/ diwedd Notes to editors: The full figures, including for other areas, are available here: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Professional-resources/Existing-Housing/Homes-Energy-Efficiency-Database/CERT-reports-from-HEED CERT runs from 2008-2012, when it will be replaced with the Green Deal, which was a Liberal Democrat manifesto commitment. The Green Deal is paid for through the savings made on people's energy bills and will mean no upfront costs for anyone receiving insulation. 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
Mar 7, 2012:
- Remploy factory closures are wrong way forward says Assembly Member
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, has condemned the proposed closure of Remploy factories in Swansea and Bridgend as ill-advised and inappropriate. Mr. Black has met with campaigners against closures recently and is working closely with them to fight cuts to the subsidy that has led to this closure announcement. "This is not the first time that Remploy factories locally have faced this threat," said Mr. Black. "The previous Labour Government put forward similar proposals in 2007 and of course closed the Ystradgynlais factory some years before that. They were wrong then and the Government is wrong now. "It is right that more than 1500 people have been helped by Remploy into supported employment across Wales, however not all disabled people are able to take up that option. The factories provide an important source of employment that enable those with disabilities to work and retain their dignity whilst doing so. Inevitably, their closure will causemany more people to become dependent on benefits and a cost to the government in excess of the current Remploy subsidy. That is not acceptable. "The Government have chosen the wrong path on this issue and I will do all I can to support workers in the Remploy factories and oppose this closures." 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
Feb 9, 2012:
- Assembly Member calls for Ministerial inquiry into health watchdog
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has called on the Health Minister to carry out an investigation into the circumstances behind the suspension of the vice-chair of the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Community Health Council, following claims that the code of conduct was used to stop her criticising health board decisions. Mr. Black was reacting to the resignation of two members of the CHC after they alleged that their views were being suppressed. Brendan Campbell and Jeff Jones say that decisions are being made by a select few, and that the code of conduct is being used to gag perceived troublemakers. In addition Mr Campbell claims that venues for meetings were not accessible to wheelchairs. Mr. Jones is also angry about the suspension of Alison Morgan over comments that she had made at CHC meetings. This suspension has now been extended for a further three months because the Health Minister has not reached any conclusions on her case. "I am very concerned at the way that the Community Health Council is being emasculated in the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg area," said Mr. Black, "with the code of conduct being used to silence those who are considered to be troublemakers. This body is meant to be a watchdog, so it is right that members of it are free to criticise and raise issues that concern them in the way they consider appropriate. It is not for others to use codes of conduct to shut them up when they are raising legitimate questions. "I have raised this matter with the health minister on a number of occasions but there appears to be no progress in resolving it. I am sure that she will not be comfortable with the suppression of opinions on the CHC. It is now time that the Minister brought this matter to a head, with a formal investigation and swift conclusions." 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
- Swansea Council Tax freeze is welcome news for residents
  The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has welcomed the announcement by Swansea Council that they will be freezing council tax next year. Good financial management by Liberal Democrat-led authority means that residents of Swansea will not have to pay any more while the council is able to protect and invest in frontline services. This is in stark comparison with the large rises experienced by Swansea residents when the council was run by Labour. Under the last eight years of the previous Labour administration the average yearly council tax rise was a hefty 7.6%. This compare to the Liberal Democrat administration's modest average increase of 3.4% per annum between 2004 and 2012. That amounts to a saving of £3,104 over the last eight years for the average Band D property owner. Mr Black said: "It is great news that savings made through sound financial management by Liberal Democrat councillors can be passed on to Swansea residents in the form of a council tax freeze for 2012/13. "Efficiency savings and lowering the amount of money paid to councillors' means that the Welsh Liberal Democrat run council has been able to safeguard and invest in frontline services. For example a cut of 20% in special responsibility allowances has saved the council £1million over the last eight years of Liberal Democrat administration, all of which was reinvested into cleansing. ""The zero increase for next year is yet more good news for Swansea residents who have been consistently better off financially under a Liberal Democrat run council compared to Labour. It will certainly help hard-pressed families make ends meet." 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 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

What would you like to do next?

Subscribe for updates

On a news reader website

In a desktop news reader or a website not listed above

Help out or donate

Tell us what you think

What would you like to do next?

Subscribe for updates

On a news reader website

In a desktop news reader or a website not listed above

Share this page

Help out or donate

Tell us what you think