Western Telegraph | Nerys Evans (Plaid Cymru AM for mid and West Wales) Blog

Nerys Evans was born in Llangain, near Carmarthen in 1980. Nerys completed studies at Manchester University and achieved a degree in Government and Political Theory. She also achieved a masters in Welsh Politics from Cardiff University. She worked as a Political Officer for Plaid Cymru in the National Assembly,for nearly 4 years during the second Assembly term, and she was responsible for the Education and Lifelong Learning, Culture, Welsh Language and Sport and Constitution portfolios. Nerys has also worked as an Organiser for Plaid in Carmarthen East and Dinefwr and was also Press Officer for the Plaid Group on Carmarthenshire County Council. Nerys' political interests include rural affairs, voter apathy, and the Welsh Language. She has also been an active representative and organiser for the PCS union.

90 unnecessary deaths a year in west Wales

I was shocked recently by statistics that show 90 people a year die needlessly as a result of being unable to keep warm in west Wales. These statistics show how important it is to tackle fuel poverty immediately. According to figures released by the ACE (Association for the Conservation of Energy) there are 10 unnecessary deaths in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, 40 in the constituency of Preseli Pembrokeshire and 40 in Ceredigion.

Warming Wales - On your side this Winter

As a party we’ve recently launched a fuel poverty campaign - Warming Wales: On Your Side this Winter. As fuel poverty has increased dramatically in rural Wales as a direct result of UK Government policy we are urging Gordon Brown to take immediate action on this issue so that Pembrokeshire households will be able to adequately heat their homes this Winter.

Tourism Summit

The current economic situation and the poor weather we had over the summer have made things particularly difficult for the tourism sector. However, It has been pleasing to see Plaid in government recognising the important contribution of tourism to the Welsh economy, and taking action to support the industry through difficult times. Plaid’s Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones held a tourism summit to help the industry in Swansea recently where individuals from the tourism sector had an opportunity to have their say. The industry plays a very important role in the Welsh economy and it is important that the government does all that it can to support it during this uncertain economic period. This summit was the first step to ensure that people who work within the industry are consulted in the development of the tourism strategy and policy so that it benefits us here on a local level. This summit of course followed on from the Wales economic summit that was held in the Senedd a few weeks ago and this is further proof of Plaid in government consulting with the people who know what the current situation is better than anyone.

White Ribbon Day

Recently I held an event in the Senedd in conjunction with Welsh Women’s Aid to raise awareness of violence against women. November 25 is the international day for the elimination of violence against women (also known as white ribbon day) and to mark the date I handed out white ribbons to Assembly Members so that they could wear them in Plenary that afternoon. Wearing a White Ribbon is symbolic of a promise to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women. As I’ve mentioned previously I’ve been calling on the One Wales Assembly Government to fund an awareness raising campaign to challenge attitudes towards violence against women, both domestic abuse and otherwise. During the event the Minister for Local Government and Social Justice announced that government would contribute £1.5 million towards domestic abuse projects across Wales. This is a start but there is a lot more still to do.

Helping our rural communities

In the Senedd this week Elin Jones, the Rural Affairs Minister, revealed that she has commissioned research to explore the range of issues and the provision of services in our deep rural communities.

Domestic abuse campaign

Recently I’ve launched a blog called ‘Stories behind the stats’, which has been specifically created for individuals to write about their own personal experiences of violence against women. Earlier this year I conducted a confidential survey of my fellow AM’s on this issue where three Assembly Members admitted to being the victims of rape with one Assembly Member admitting to being a victim of domestic abuse.

E business roadshow

Today an event to encourage local businesses to make fuller use of Internet technology will be held in the Technium centre in Pembroke Dock. Business leaders and experts will explain how smaller enterprises can use information technology to transform their business operations. I would encourage local business people to attend this event especially as it is free of charge as well.

NHS

Last week new measures were announced by the Assembly government to restructure the Welsh Health Service and shift funding away from bureaucracy and towards front-line services. These steps being taken since Plaid went into government in the National Assembly will end the internal market within the Welsh NHS and ensure an improved service for patients.

Urgent action needed to tackle child poverty

New research by the TUC underlines the need for concrete action on child poverty in Pembrokeshire. The research shows that the poverty of children is directly linked to the poverty of mothers. Currently in Pembrokeshire up to 25% of workers earn less than £7 an hour. This new research is yet more evidence that the London government needs to step up its efforts and take concrete action in order to keep its promise of eradicating child poverty by 2020. As long as Gordon Brown fails to act and give this issue the resources it needs, I cannot see how he will be able to reach this target. Today, families struggle to make ends meet because of rising household bills and the increasing cost of food. Gordon Brown’s policies have rewarded the few in the city of London while families struggle to cope. We believes that society should protect the weak and the vulnerable. I think it is time that the London government take action to address child poverty before it is too late.

Welcoming our returning Olympic heroes

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to congratulate our Welsh Olympians during their homecoming last week, and it was fantastic to see the crowds that gathered to show their support. It has been fantastic to see so many world class Welsh athletes performing at the highest level.

Energy Ombudsman

This week Plaid called for the establishment of an independent energy ombudsman for Wales in an effort to eliminate the current charging disparity that exists between electricity prices in England and Wales.

Post Offices

As well as all of the current Post Office closures I was very concerned to learn recently that even more Post Offices could close if Post Office Ltd isn’t awarded the contract to run the new Post Office card account.   According to The National Federation of Sub postmasters as many as 3,000 more Post Offices could be forced to close if the Government removes the sub postmaster’s right to handle state pensions and benefits payments. The number of possible closures represents 25% of the sub Post Offices due to remain at the end of the current network change closure programme.  With the way the Westminster Government has treated our Post Offices I would urge them to do the right thing on this occasion and award the contract to the Post Office.