AM warns of store card debt this Christmas

Ann Jones AM has urged shoppers in the Vale of Clwyd to be careful when signing up to store cards this Christmas.

As High Street stores gear up for the busiest time of the calendar year, shoppers in the Vale of Clwyd are being urged to check the small print before signing up to store cards or risk being “stung” at a later date.

Ann Jones AM name said:

“We all want to make sure our families get the presents they want but store cards can be costly with high interest rates.

“While some stores may offer tempting introductory rates it is important you know what you might be paying at a later date.

Labour AM celebrates International Day of Disabled People

Ann Jones AM yesterday marked the International Day of Disabled People by calling on the Government to place the well-being of disabled people at the forefront of its policymaking.

Ahead of next week’s conference on the ‘Future of Disability Politics in Wales’ the Equality of Opportunity Committee Chair has today emphasised the importance of protecting services for disabled people during tough economic times.

Ann Jones AM said:

“After the success of last year’s day of campaigning and awareness raising I am pleased offer my support once again this year.

“Today should remind us that having special needs does not mean you have special desires. We all hope for a happy and prosperous future where can play an active part in the lives of our friends and loved ones – disabled or not. This can only happen when those with disabilities are equipped with the tools they need to reach their potential.

AM joins fire and rescue road safety showcase

Ex-Fire Control Officer, Ann Jones AM, met with fire fighters from across Wales at the Assembly today to learn more about their efforts to reduce accidents on Welsh roads.

As road traffic collisions continue to occupy the news headlines across Wales, the three Welsh Fire and Rescue Services specialise in being able to deal quickly and efficiently with serious collisions, helping to save the lives of the casualties involved.

Fire fighters are in the business of saving lives, and whilst that primarily involves rescuing people from fires and educating about fire safety, fire and rescue services across the UK are also attending an increasing number of road traffic collisions which result in a significant number of people being seriously injured or killed.

Ann Jones AM wears white ribbon to end violence against women

Ann Jones AM today supported the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women by joining millions worldwide in wearing the symbolic White Ribbon.

White Ribbon Day commemorates the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This day has been held annually since 1991 to urge men to speak out against violence against women.

In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly declared November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the White Ribbon has become the symbol for the day.

Ann Jones AM said:

“The research published this week by the NSPCC should act as a wake up call to us all. We cannot allow young people to grow up in abusive relationships from just 13 in some cases.

AM congratulates international award winner Coleg Llandrillo

Vale of Clwyd AM, Ann Jones, has congratulated staff and students at Coleg Llandrillo for picking up two awards at this year’s Association of Colleges Beacon Awards ceremony in Birmingham.

Coleg Llandrillo won the British Council Award for International Student Support in recognition of achieving excellence in the field of international operations.

The College has also been highly commended in winning the Award for Widening Participation for its education-led regeneration and widening participation project. This initiative, which is aimed at disengaged adults, has involved 200 students in the last year via the ‘Get Skilled Up’ programme which provides basic skills for use in further study and employment.

Ann Jones AM said:

“I am thrilled to see that Coleg Llandrillo is making a name for itself on the national and international stage. These awards show how staff at the college are doing more than simply ticking boxes when it comes to inclusion and regeneration.

Labour AM views Tenovus’ mobile cancer support unit

Vale of Clwyd AM, Ann Jones this week took a tour of Tenovus’ Mobile Cancer Support Unit, which parked up at the doors of the National Assembly for Wales this week.

The visit was designed to raise awareness of the services the unit provides, having treated 3,000 people across 24 locations in the first nine months it has been in operation.

The unit delivers cancer services – such as chemotherapy – to its patients in the local community as well as practical advice to sufferers on benefits, bereavement support, health awareness and many other topics.

The unit currently serves the M4 corridor and the valleys, but the Vale of Clwyd AM hoped the service would soon be extended to North Wales, too.

Launching the visit in Cardiff, Ann Jones AM said:

“Tenovus do a great job across Wales both in treating people with cancer as well as providing the support and advice needed by patients at such a crucial time.

Labour AM ‘wears it pink’ for breast cancer research

Ann Jones, AM for Vale of Clwyd, joined forces with a Breast Cancer Campaign to raise awareness of its award winning fundraising event, ‘wear it pink’, last Friday.

Supporters in schools, colleges, and businesses throughout the country were encouraged to don an item of pink in support of Campaign and each donated £2 to fund innovative world-class breast cancer research.

Last year over one and a half million people took part in wear it pink to help improve survival rates for the one in nine women who experience breast cancer during their lifetime.

‘Positive Steps’ to recovery from strokes

Last Friday, Ann Jones AM visited Trefnant Village Hall to learn more about the ‘Positive Steps’ scheme which provides light exercise classes for those who have suffered strokes.

The scheme, which has recently received Big Lottery funding, works with sufferers to help them avoid becoming a victim of a stroke for a second time. The healthy lifestyle encouraged by Positive Steps also provides advice and support on making a successful recovery.

Ann Jones AM said:

“I was pleased to visit Positive Steps at Trefnant last week and am delighted that lottery funding will mean that this local service will continue to help people in the Vale of Clwyd in the future.

“It is vital that we emphasis the importance of the steps stroke sufferers can make to ensure that they have every chance of a good recovery.

Ann Jones welcomes more relief for Welsh firms

Ann Jones AM has welcomed the announcement that businesses will receive further relief from rates next year.

The Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government has announced it will be lowering the level at which business rates bills are calculated.

According to the Federation of Small Businesses, around 64,000 businesses in Wales will see a real-terms reduction in their business rates bill.

The Vale of Clwyd AM, Ann Jones said:

“Once again Welsh Labour is offering practical solutions to helping businesses in the Vale of Clwyd through this economic downturn.

“More than 45,000 businesses in Wales are already benefiting from the Assembly Government’s small business rates relief scheme, and around 20,000 receive other types of relief.

AM takes on deprivation with Assembly Minister

Brian Gibbons, Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, has today joined local AM Ann Jones in assessing how well agencies across Denbighshire are tackling deprivation.

Last year’s Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation listed Rhyl West and Rhyl South West amongst the top 5 most deprived wards in Wales which lead to Mrs Jones calling for a more holistic approach across Denbighshire’s agencies and for the local authority to prioritise spending on these communities.

Ann Jones AM said:

“I am pleased that the Minister has kept his promise to return to Rhyl 12 months after the report to evaluate the progress made.

“The only way to tackle deprivation is to ensure that a concerted effort from all agencies and sectors is maintained.