(Title Image: Senedd Cymru)
Shared Prosperity Fund “must respect devolution”
The Welsh and Scottish governments issued a joint statement calling for the eventual replacement of EU structural funding to respect the devolution settlement.
No further details of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund have yet been made available less than six weeks ahead of the end of the Brexit transition period.
Counsel General & Brexit Minister, Jeremy Miles (Lab, Neath) said: “The lack of transparency and collaboration that the UK government has shown to date must now end so that Wales gets the clarity it needs and the commitment to work through the Welsh Government which the devolution settlement demands.”
Welsh Government settles on an independent environment watchdog post-Brexit
Wales will establish an independent commissioner to enforce environmental regulations after Brexit.
However, the necessary legislation won’t be introduced before the next Senedd election. An interim environmental assessor will be recruited to fulfil the role for the meantime.
In the Senedd last week, the Environment, Energy & Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths (Lab, Wrexham) was accused of putting plans “on the back burner” by the Conservatives, who were insinuating support for an all-UK regulator.
Transport for Wales Rail trials seat reservations in central Wales
TFW Rail is trialling seat reservations on the Cambrian Coast line between Shrewsbury and both Aberystwyth and Pwllheli. Before travelling, all passengers using these services will need to book a seat beforehand due to limited opportunities for social distancing.
People can make a reservation online, in person (ticket machine or ticket office) or by phone – all the details are available here.
Free flu vaccine extended to the over-50s
Up to 460,000 additional flu vaccines have been made available to GP practices across Wales, with the vaccine now available for free to the over-50s.
The vaccination rate during 2020-21 for the over-65s is already said to be at 70% – which is much higher than in previous years.
Health Minister, Vaughan Gething (Lab, Cardiff S. & Penarth) said: “Extending the flu vaccine to everyone aged 50 or over will help prevent more people becoming ill and reduce pressure on the NHS this winter. I would urge anyone who is eligible to follow the example of the huge numbers of people vaccinated already and have the vaccine.”
