Labour AM calls on Welsh Assembly to promote local produce

Vale of Clwyd produce should be ‘front centre’ of Welsh food promotion according to local Labour AM, Ann Jones.

During today’s questions to the First Minister, Ms Jones will highlight the increasing popularity of local produce such as Vale of Clwyd Lamb while stressing the importance of matching such local success to the wider attraction of the area.

Ann Jones AM said: “The physical environment of the Vale of Clwyd is often seen as it’s star attraction which is why I am convinced that we can match this image with the promotion of the high quality produce that’s made right here on our doorstep.

“Products like Snowdonia Cheese, Vale of Clwyd Lamb and other local produce are extremely popular and we should be raising their profile to encourage supermarkets to put them on their shelves.

Wales Union Learning Fund under threat of Tory cuts

Labour AM Ann Jones, today hit back at a Conservative attack on the Wales Union Learning Fund which offers training opportunities for workers all over Wales.

During Assembly questions on the economy, Ms Jones described the policy as the perfect example of how genuine social partnerships can work between Government, trade unions and business.

The UNITE union has offered employees opportunities for training ranging from gym instructing to professional photography to help avoid redundancies as companies suffered the effects of the recession.

The Fire Brigades Union, of which Ms Jones was formerly an official, has also used the Wales Union Learning Fund to provide courses in areas such as IT to cleaning and office staff as well as fire fighters.

One former fire fighter has benefited from office, IT and Spanish courses to help him return to work after suffering a spinal injury that left him disabled at the age of 28.

Conservative AM, Alun Cairns, responded to Ann Jones by describing the Wales Union Learning Fund as an ‘iniquitous’ initiative that should be cut.

Teachers and pupils praised for exam success in Wales

In reaction to the excellent A-Level results in the Vale of Clwyd, Labour AM Ann Jones said: “Students across the Vale of Clwyd should be really proud of themselves.

“I pay tribute to all our teachers, parents and governors for their hard work in helping learners reach their potential.

“It is also fantastic to see the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification going from strength to strength. There has been a big uptake in pupils entering the award this year and it means an extra 4000 plus learners have the equivalent of an A grade at A level on top of those students taking the standard A level examinations.

“I wish all students the very best as they continue their educational journey.”

AM wants Royal Charity support for Denbighshire Playing Fields

Labour AM for Vale of Clwyd, Ann Jones, has called on Denbighshire County Council to apply for a cash boost for local playing fields via the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Charity.

The Charity, which recently instated Prince William as Patron, will use a £7m campaign to protect and create around 2,000 playing fields across the UK and Ann Jones wants Denbighshire to be a part of it.

Ann Jones said: “This investment is designed to create and improve access to play which is important for the whole community.

“Not every area can benefit from this charity campaign which is why I want Denbighshire to be at the front of the queue when the projects begin.

“It is tragic that short sighted decisions at Denbighshire County Council lost us the Ryder Cup legacy golf course so I want to see a real effort to make funds like this one work for our community.

Ann Jones AM flies the flag for Armed Forces Day

Ann Jones AM joined North East Wales Veterans at Rhyl Events Arena last Saturday to commemorate the sacrifices of servicemen and women, past and present.

In the build up to Armed Forces Day today, the Labour AM joined Rhyl Town Mayor. Margaret McCarroll, and a public gathering to observe a veteran’s parade and learn more about the life of armed servicemen and women from the area.

The day is an annual opportunity for the nation to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to service families and from veterans to cadets.

Labour AM Ann Jones said: “I think it’s fantastic that we now have a day to formally thank our service men and women.

ConDem Budget set to slash Welsh family incomes

Ann Jones AM has condemned the dramatic cuts announced by Tory Chancellor George Osborne in today’s Budget branding them as “regressive and callous”.

The Vale of Clwyd AM today ridiculed the Chancellor’s slogan claiming “we’re all in this together” when estimates show that ConDem cuts will mean a 3.6% fall in household incomes for Welsh families compared with 0.5% in the Home Counties.

Experiments carried out by the Financial Times have made it clear that Osborne’s planned cuts will hit the poorest hardest as deep and immediate cuts dominate the agenda.

The research also shows that a 20% cut in public spending will affect North Wales by more than 10% than that of the national average.

Vale of Clwyd AM welcomes free swimming at weekends

Children and young people in the Vale of Clwyd will now be able to enjoy free swimming and other leisure centre activities at the weekends.

Vale of Clwyd AM, Ann Jones, welcomed changes announced by the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government to extend the scheme and said it encouraged tens of thousands of young people to take regular exercise free of charge.

A change to the minimum criteria of the current scheme, means that local authorities will now offer free swimming sessions or other leisure centre activities for children aged 16 and under on weekends as well as school holidays.

Ann Jones AM said: “Free swimming has been an extremely popular policy since it was introduced in 2004 by the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government.

AM: Child Trust Fund abolition will hit Welsh Children hardest

Welsh Assembly Member, Ann Jones, has hit out at the Conservative – Lib Dem coalition’s decision to scrap Child Trust Funds from next year. The Labour AM has added her name to an Assembly Statement of Opinion raising the concern over the implications the move has for children in Wales. The statement has been raised by fellow North Wales AM Karen Sinclair.

Between 1 September 2002 and 5 April 2008 3,244 Child Trust Fund accounts were opened in the Vale of Clwyd. These accounts have also benefited from Child Trust Fund Cymru payments which act as a top up for children in Wales.

The UK Government announcement was met with anger by the Welsh Assembly Government’s Children’s Minister, Huw Lewis AM who described the action as “anti-child”.

£600,000 investment for Prestatyn Bus Station welcomed

Vale of Clwyd AM, Ann Jones has welcomed £22 million of investment for Wales’ four Regional Transport Plans announced today by the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government.

This investment will allocate £600,000 for improvements at Prestatyn Bus Station.

The funding will be shared between the four regional transport consortia that represent local authorities. Each of the consortia has submitted a Regional Transport Plan to the Assembly Government that outlines how they will maintain and improve the transport network in their area.

Ann Jones AM said: “This funding proves Labour’s commitment to modern and safe public transport systems right across the country.

“Labour’s free busses have proven how popular bus travel is amongst older people especially so this investment really is aimed at the needs of the local area.

Laptop pilot comes to Ysgol Emmanuel

Ann Jones has today welcomed the Labour-led Assembly’s school laptop pilot which is set to improve internet access for children at Ysgol Emmanuel in Denbighshire.

The pilot will comprise of a network of local projects across Wales providing laptops for up to 1,200 children aged ten to eleven, from selected schools in Communities First and Flying Start areas. Each project will have a strong focus on learning as well as supporting digital inclusion.

The Welsh Assembly Government will provide £300,000 funding in the financial year 2009-10 and £400,000 in the financial year 2010-11 for the pilot.

Ann Jones AM said: “Computers are a core part of everyday life, especially in the workplace, which is why we must help every child become computer literate.