Download or read book House of Commons Welsh Affairs Committee The Work Programme in Wales HC 264 written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Welsh Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2013-11-04 with total page 110 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Work Programme is the latest government-contracted employment programme, which aims to support long-term jobseekers into work and off unemployment benefits. Launched in June 2011, the Work Programme replaced a number of previous welfare-to-work programmes and consolidates employment support for a very wide range of jobseekers into a single mainstream programme. Providers, who are predominantly commercial companies, provide support to participants, and receive payments for finding participants sustained employment. In Wales one in nine people who joined the Work Programme in its first two years found sustained employment (defined as 13 or 26 weeks). This is the lowest rate in Great Britain, though not much lower than the average. The Committee's conclusions include: Working Links Wales and Rehab Jobfit-the two providers operating in Wales-must ensure that both they and their subcontractors have specific measures in place to support lone parents; and that Work Programme participants in Wales-unlike those in England-cannot access European Social Fund training and skills courses which is hampering the performance of the Work Programme in Wales and ultimately the opportunities available to the long-term unemployed. Similarly, DWP must enable participants to exit the Work Programme if required in order to access Jobs Growth Wales. The key issue here seems to be that there is a lack of flexibility in and between the various programmes set up to get people into work, and that this lack of flexibility appears to be more marked in Wales

Download or read book House of Commons Welsh Affairs Committee The Impact of Changes to Housing Benefit in Wales HC 159 written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Welsh Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2013-10-17 with total page 140 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The costs of housing benefit currently makes up more than a tenth of the UK Government's expenditure on welfare, with costs forecast to reach £25 billion by 2014-15. The Government's policy on under-occupation came into force in April 2013 and it is estimated that 40,000 tenants in Wales will be affected; representing 46% of working age housing benefit claimants living in the social rented sector. This is the highest proportion of any region in Great Britain. There could therefore be a shortage of one and two bedroom homes in Wales to re-house everyone who wants to downsize. If local authorities are struggling to find alternative smaller accommodation for Government should undertake a speedy review of this policy. It is also increasingly urgent for the Welsh Government to continue with its house-building programme, with a particular focus on the building of smaller sized properties: obviously this is a long-term solution that would require additional resources. If no social housing is available, tenants may need to move to the private rented sector and private rental costs would need to be monitored. The costs of moving disabled households who require adaptations are also a concern. There may be a case for exempting disabled households from the policy. The Government's proposal to pay housing benefit direct to social tenants under Universal Credit may result in some tenants being unable to manage their rent payments. The Committee recommends that the Government provide for housing benefit to be paid direct to the landlords in certain circumstances, for example after a specified period of non-payment

Download or read book S4C written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Welsh Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2011-05-11 with total page 176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is a report on the proposed changes to S4C's funding and governance by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) following the 2010 Comprehensive Spending Review. The Committee says a deal over S4C's future was struck in "regrettable haste" by the BBC and Ministers, and that more detail should be given on the proposed funding and governance arrangements for the broadcaster. Nevertheless, the committee argues that the proposed deal should result in synergies and cost savings for both broadcasters. With studies estimating that S4C is responsible for sustaining over 2,000 jobs in Wales and contributing £90-100 million to the Welsh economy, it is crucial that S4C continues to independently commission its programming from production companies based in Wales, rather than additional programming being supplied to the channel by the BBC. Under the Government's proposed arrangements, S4C's funding will shift from being provided by a direct grant from DCMS to funding through the BBC's licence fee. While it is essential that the DCMS, the BBC and S4C work together to achieve potential synergies and efficiencies, this must not detract from S4C's independence. The DCMS and the BBC must guarantee S4C's funding and ensure that S4C receives in full its allocated portion of the licence fee. The Committee also argue for an enhanced role for the National Assembly for Wales in holding the S4C Authority to account for its performance and for a wider review of the purpose and remit of the broadcaster.

Download or read book Work of the Committee 2008 09 written by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Welsh Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010 with total page 56 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Work of the Committee 2008-09 : Third report of session 2009-10, report, together with formal Minutes

Download or read book Welsh prisoners in the prison estate written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Welsh Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2007-06-06 with total page 244 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Committee undertook this inquiry to address concerns about the imprisonment of Welsh prisoners outside Wales. At present there are only four prisons in Wales, all in the South, and there is little provision for juveniles and no prisons for women. The overcrowding means that Welsh prisoners have a reduced chance of serving their sentence near home and reduces the chances of successful resettlement on release. The Committee believe there should be new prison places in North Wales, separate provision for young offenders and a new approach to women prisoners along the lines suggested by Baroness Corston. The report also address concerns about support services for mental illness amongst prisoners, the amount of Welsh language provision and education services.

Download or read book Representation of consumer interests in Wales written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Welsh Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2012-01-10 with total page 60 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Consumer advocacy plays an important part in the Welsh economy. Organisations including Consumer Focus Wales and Citizens Advice represent consumers' interests in their dealings with businesses, industry regulators and the UK and Welsh Governments. A significant aspect of their work is to ensure that consumers receive a fair deal in their daily lives. Advocacy is particularly important to those termed the most vulnerable in Welsh society. The Government announced its plans in October 2010 to abolish Consumer Focus Wales and to transfer some or all of its functions to Citizens Advice Cymru. The final decision will be taken once Ministers have considered the findings of the public consultation. But this delay has caused on going uncertainty and the Committee calls on the Government to publish without delay its detailed plans. MPs are not wholly persuaded by the Government's reasons for abolishing Consumer Focus Wales, but recognise that given the current financial situation there is a strong case for examining whether consumer interests are represented in the most efficient and cost-effective way. However, the Government should provide guarantees that the best features of Consumer Focus Wales are protected in any successor body, including: statutory independence from interference by ministers or its parent organization; a "Welsh focus" and the present level of funding. As consumer matters fall increasingly under the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales, the committee calls for a review, on whether to devolve responsibility for consumer affairs to the National Assembly for Wales and that The Commission on Devolution in Wales should consider this matter when it reviews the powers of the National Assembly for Wales

Download or read book The Severn crossings toll written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Welsh Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010-12-22 with total page 120 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Welsh Affairs Committee considers the impact of the Severn Crossings Toll on the economy of South Wales and beyond. The Severn Crossings are seen as a vital link for the people and business located in South Wales and beyond. In the Committee's view, while the Crossings, currently managed by Severn River Crossings Plc, bring many valuable benefits including reduced journey times and improved access to customers and suppliers, there is a perception that the high cost of the toll represents a barrier to business. The Committee found that much evidence about the toll's impact is anecdotal and recommends that empirical evidence should be gathered about the economic impact of the toll on both sides of the border. The report is also critical that the inflexibility of the Severn Crossings Act does not allow the toll to be reduced without the taxpayer bearing the cost and is disappointed that it has not proved possible for the Toll to be frozen for 2011. The report concludes that the end of the concession projected for 2017, provides an opportunity to re-examine the pricing policy for the Severn Crossings. The Committee argues that once the bridge returns to public ownership and its current debt is paid off, the cost of maintenance and toll operation will be a fraction of the current monies raised by the toll charges and concludes that there is a strong case for significantly reducing the cost of the toll.

Download or read book Proposed National Assembly for Wales Legislative Competence Housing and Local Government Order 2010 relating to sustainable housing written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Welsh Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010-02-03 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The effect of this proposed LCO would be to devolve wide-ranging legislative competence for social housing policy to the National Assembly for Wales. The terms of the proposed Order include the provision of social housing, provision by local authorities of caravan sites for use by gypsies and travellers, measures to tackle homelessness, and council tax payable in respect of dwellings that are not the main residence of an individual. The current proposal is a revision of an earlier, much narrower, affordable housing LCO laid before Parliament in 2008, which was criticised because the terms of the LCO went much wider than the policy purposes described to us by the Minister in her evidence. The Committee believes that there is indeed a demand in Wales for comprehensive social housing legislation for Wales, to include the regulation of social housing providers and reform of tenure law. It concludes that the current Order is a logical extension of the current devolution settlement and, with minor technical changes outlined in this Report, is content that it should proceed. The Committee reiterates its continuing concerns about the naming of LCOs. There is now a number of draft or proposed Orders with similar titles. The recommendation is that LCOs should be given a simple title which conveys the actual subject of the Order to the general reader.

Download or read book Digital inclusion in Wales written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Welsh Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2009-08-04 with total page 360 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Wales Office and the Welsh Assembly Government must ensure UK digital inclusion initiatives meet Welsh needs and build on existing good work to deliver on Welsh digital ambitions, says the Welsh Affairs Committee in a report published today. This report "Digital Inclusion in Wales", examines the use of digital technologies in Wales, highlights the urgent need for the eradication of broadband ’notspots' - areas with limited or no access to high speed internet connections - and says this issue must continue to receive priority attention. There should be more support to help a wider range of people use technology effectively. Employers told the Committee they need staff with better IT skills and more training opportunities. The Committee recommends the Welsh Assembly Government explicitly includes this issue in its digital inclusion strategy. The digital inclusion agenda is a complex mix of reserved and devolved matters. This brings a risk that key issues can be overlooked, for example no account has been taken of Welsh language speakers' needs in the Government's Digital Inclusion Action Plan. The Secretary of State for Wales must ensure that bodies in Wales across all sectors are fully engaged with initiatives and that the next stage of Digital Britain adequately reflects Welsh needs. Higher education institutions also have a vital role to play and should be involved in any new research opportunities. The Welsh Assembly already has successful digital inclusion projects in Wales and it should find a way to become fully involved with the UK digital inclusion and Digital Britain work so it does not miss out on policy developments and funding opportunities. The Committee also recommends the creation of a one-stop shop providing advice on the risks for young people using technology, and commends the Assembly's work tackling internet related crimes which it says should be promoted as part of the economic development strategy in Wales.

Download or read book House of Commons Welsh Affairs Committee Pre Legislative Scrutiny of the Draft Wales Bill HC 962 written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Welsh Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2014-03-03 with total page 60 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The draft Wales Bill was published following the recommendations of the Silk Commission in November 2012. It sets out to devolve tax and borrowing powers to the Welsh Government and National Assembly for Wales, make changes to the electoral arrangements of the National Assembly for Wales, and clarify and update the devolution settlement. The Government hopes that the provisions in the draft Wales Bill will enable devolved governance in Wales to become more accountable. The cross-party Committee believes partial devolution of income tax to the Welsh Government should be put to the people of Wales in a referendum. The cross-party Committee also has sympathy with the argument that the issue of "fair funding" must be resolved before any income tax powers are devolved so that Wales is not unfairly disadvantaged. The issue of fair funding - how the size of the block grant from the UK Government is determined, currently by the Barnett formula which has long been criticised as providing an unfairly low allocation to Wales - needs to be examined and should not wait until after the 2015 General Election. The National Assembly for Wales should have power to decide its own Assembly term length, rather than this being decided at Westminster. The Committee recommends the clause in the draft Bill which permanently extends the length of the Assembly from four to five years should be scrapped and replaced with provisions that give the National Assembly the powers to determine the length of its own electoral term.

Download or read book Wales and Whitehall written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Welsh Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010-03-26 with total page 246 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The effective operation of devolution stands the best chance of success if both the UK and Welsh governments share knowledge and understanding, concludes the Welsh Affairs Committee in this report. The Committee makes a number of recommendations to improve the relationship between Wales and Whitehall. A broad review of how intergovernmental relationships are coordinated is required. The Joint Ministerial Committee should meet on a regular basis and ministers at all levels should be alert to the consequences of policy and legislation on devolved areas. The Cabinet Office should take lead responsibility for devolution strategy in Whitehall. Whitehall has lost a focus on the devolution settlement and too often has displayed poor knowledge and understanding of the specificities of the Welsh settlement. The Civil Service needs more consistent training and clear department-by-department focus on retaining devolution knowledge and understanding. The Welsh Assembly Government should have the confidence to interact with Whitehall and to promote areas of good practice. The Cabinet Secretary and the Permanent Secretary to the Welsh Assembly Government should give evidence annually to the Welsh Affairs Committee. Finally, reform of the Barnett Formula is required. The current financial settlement does not appear sustainable and a new arrangement needs to be built on an agreed and enduring basis which is demonstrably fair and sensitive to the particular circumstances of Wales.

Download or read book Proposed National Assembly for Wales Legislative Competence Housing Order 2009 Relating to Domestic Fire Safety written by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Welsh Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2009 with total page 60 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Incorporating HC 1110, session 2008-09

Download or read book From Depression to Devolution written by Leon Gooberman and published by University of Wales Press. This book was released on 2017-02-01 with total page 281 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Throughout the twentieth century, Wales underwent rapid and far-reaching economic upheavals on such a scale that few avoided their impacts – from recessions, war, changing fortunes within the iconic steel and coal industries, the rise and decline of manufacturing, as well as the gradual rise to dominance of the service sector – the changes were as dramatic as was the intensity of attempts to deal with their consequences. Wales was a laboratory for government intervention in the economy, ranging from the attraction of investment and the clearance of land made derelict by industry, to the regeneration of urban areas. This is the first book to focus on these actions and to outline why, how and with what effect governments intervened, and it contains timely commentary as economic performance remains one of the most important issues facing contemporary Wales.

Download or read book The Proposed National Assembly for Wales Legislative Competence Local Government Order 2009 written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Welsh Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The proposed National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Local Government) Order 2009 is the twelfth Legislative Competence Order on which the Welsh Affairs Committee has reported. The Order will give the Assembly powers in respect of the structures and work of local government in Wales at all levels. The Welsh Assembly Government has requested this power because it wishes to develop and strengthen the role of community councils and councillors in Wales. The proposed Order will allow the Welsh Assembly Government to fulfil its commitment to seek legislation to address issues identified in the 2003 'Aberystwyth Report'. The Committee agrees that a clear need for the proposed LCO has been identified and is consistent with the Government's commitment to build up the capacity of town and community councils. The proposed Order is drafted in broad and accessible terms with the minimum of exceptions and interpretation. The Committee is concerned, however, that there are now many terms used to describe the various tiers of local government in Wales and agree with the suggestions put forward that the Minister should speedily undertake a review of terminology relating to local government. Specifically the term 'community' is cited as having various meanings dependent on context. Furthermore, given that there have already been several LCO proposals identified in terms of local government, to call this the National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Local Government) Order introduces the potential for confusion. A title such as 'National Assembly for Wale (Legislative Competence) (Community Councils) Order or similar is suggested

Download or read book HC 284 Energy Generation in Wales Shale Gas written by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Welsh Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2014 with total page 44 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Shale gas represents an opportunity for Wales but it must not come at the expense of Wales's natural environment. Both the UK and Welsh Governments must consider environmental risks, including the traffic and noise caused by commercial shale gas operations as well as the visual impact and other environmental risks associated with fracking. The issue of treatment, transportation and disposal of wastewater is a growing concern: toxic and radioactive water must not be allowed to contaminate water courses. The Government forecasts that nearly 70% of the UK's gas supply will be imported by 2025. It is vital that the UK identifies new sources of gas if it is to safeguard the UK's security of supply. Shale gas production across the UK is currently at the exploratory stage and there is no good data yet on the amount of shale gas in Wales. Should considerable reserves of shale gas be present-as industry representatives predict-it could be a decade before a viable shale gas industry is created in Wales. The UK Government and the Welsh Government should work with commercial companies and others to provide a reliable range of estimates of shale gas available in Wales and assess the overall impact of shale gas supply on the level and mix of energy produced in Wales and the UK. The Welsh Government should also begin to consider how the employment opportunities presented by shale gas production could be maximised

Download or read book Spectrum written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Culture, Media and Sport Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2011-11-03 with total page 170 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report looks at the way in which commercial spectrum holdings are allocated and regulated. This investigation was prompted by the imminence of the next spectrum auction in 2012. Ofcom, as spectrum regulator, has a very difficult role to play in striking a balance between the needs of consumers, spectrum users and service providers, and the public purse. The report finds that Ofcom is doing a good job in striking this balance and is often having to make very difficult and commercially sensitive judgements. Ofcom's consultation on the rules for the next auction has divided opinion among the four mobile network operators, but the Committee remarks that they rarely agree on matters concerning spectrum allocation. Ofcom proposes that one of the spectrum licences available at the auction will contain a coverage obligation requiring the successful bidder to offer mobile internet coverage to an area in which at least 95% of the population lives. The Committee believes that this does not go far enough to hasten the roll-out of mobile broadband, and recommends that the coverage obligation should be set at 98% and that Ofcom consider applying this obligation to more than one licence. The Committee agree with proposals to implement spectrum caps and floors at the auction, this being the best viable option to ensure a competitive tension in the spectrum market place. Ofcom's remit should be widened in order that the interests of British businesses, whose spectrum use plays an important part in the UK economy, are best served.

Download or read book Support for Armed Forces Veterans in Wales written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Welsh Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2013-02-12 with total page 172 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This Report examines whether the level of support provided to Armed Forces veterans in Wales - both immediately before they leave the service and once they return to civilian life -is adequate. The key recommendation is that the Welsh Government take forward proposals to establish a network of 'one-stop shops' for veterans across Wales. A great deal of support is available for veterans in Wales, but often a lack of awareness means that support is not taken up. A one-stop shop for veterans would be a convenient way for veterans to access information and receive advice on a range of important issues, such as housing, finances and employment. To avoid duplication, however, the Welsh Government needs to take into account the support launched or planned by local authorities as part of their Community Covenants. There should also be better co-ordination of the work done by the many charities supporting veterans. In the light of recent court cases which have illustrated the need for vigilance to prevent fraudsters taking advantage of the public's willingness to give to veterans' charities there should be much more stringent inspection of charities' finances. There is also concern about charities providing treatments for complex psychological issues that do not meet NICE guidelines. The regulation of charities may be insufficiently robust in this area. The Charity Commission should insist that veterans' charities which offer medical, psychological or counselling services provide documentation from the relevant professional bodies to confirm that they have the appropriate endorsement for the services they offer