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Funding will be made available to eligible young people aged between 16 and 25 and either still in local authority care or care leavers to help them progress towards independence.

In 2015/16 there were 5662 looked after children in Wales and 702 care leavers.

Carl Sargeant said:

“Typically, outcomes for children in care or care leavers are less positive than for those young people who live at home with a parent or parents. We are committed to improving the life chances of children who have experienced care, so they have the opportunity to flourish and realise their potential. 

“Local authorities, as corporate parents are expected to help the young people in their care move towards independence in a similar way to parents who have children living at home. Providing appropriate support and guidance to a young person early in their journey towards independence helps to maximise life chances.

“I hope this fund will offer timely support to care leavers and go some way in helping them achieve their ambitions and make a successful transition to adulthood and independent living. We will work with the Children’s Commissioner and young people who have experienced care to discuss how the fund will work. I welcome Sally Holland’s Spotlight report on looked after children which will also help inform our decision.”

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The announcement, which follows the First Minister’s meeting with GE executives in Washington DC, is accompanied by £20m of GE investment, that includes £5m from the Welsh Government.

The maintenance and repair of the GE9X will safeguard over 400 jobs at GE Aviation Wales. This news comes in addition to the site’s 2016/2017 recruitment activity to support growth relative to its current engine programmes.

The new facility will provide the technical lead and support to GE9X partners across the globe and place Wales at the cutting edge of the latest and greatest jet engine technology.

The First Minister welcomed news that the Nantgarw facility will lead the company’s global ‘Entry into Service’ readiness programme, describing the move as hugely significant in securing the future of the Nantgarw facility for the next generation and ensuring the site is at the forefront of important technology applications.

He said:

“I am delighted Welsh Government is supporting this very significant investment in one of our flagship operations. GE Aviation Wales is the largest aircraft engine maintenance facilities in the world and today’s announcement ensures it will maintain its position as the global centre of excellence for wide bodied jet engines that will now also include GE’s latest engine, the GE9X.

“As an Anchor company, GE Aviation is of huge strategic importance to the Welsh economy with a world class reputation and extensive experience and capability. It’s tremendously good news that this investment will strengthen its long-term sustainability, preserve the scale of the facility and ensure its on-going competitiveness.

“The aviation MRO facility has been in Nantgarw for 77 years and only recently celebrated its 25th anniversary of GE ownership so it is great news that the 9X will ensure GE Aviation remains at the forefront of the engine repair and overhaul sector for many years to come.”

The First Minister added that when he was in the States last year he had discussions about GE Aviation Wales’ selection as the global technical lead on the GE9X as well as potential new recruitment.

GE Aviation Wales Managing Director La-Chun Lindsay said:

“This is a great day for Wales and particularly for our communities across the Valleys. We’ve won this great accolade because we worked together as one ‘Team GE Aviation Wales’ on solving our site’s biggest problems and challenges.  The key objectives now are for the site to sustain its cost competitiveness and to continue improving on customer delivery for both engine overhaul and component repair. I want all our customers to hear this great news and be delighted if their GE9X engines are coming to GE Aviation Wales for servicing.

“Over many years we’ve enjoyed a great relationship with the Welsh Government and their grant offer was also a key differentiator in ensuring Wales as the MRO shop and technical lead for the GE9X. We have a great history of support from our partners in the Welsh Government and at every stage of this process we have worked in lock step to secure the GE9X.

“More than 85% of our employees from the surrounding area and are thus firmly rooted in our local community. I’m so pleased that securing the GE9X means that future generations will have the chance to fulfil their dreams of working at GE Aviation Wales and will have the same fantastic opportunities that have existed throughout the site’s proud history.”

GE Aviation Wales has been selected based on its wealth of technical expertise and its track record of continuous improvement. By focusing on increased utilisation and productivity despite its 77 year old infrastructure, GE Aviation Wales is now cost competitive with several brand-new overhaul sites. The upshot of continued focus on increased utilisation and delivery is a projected increase in volume to the site enabling new recruitment.

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The largest research study of its kind ever to have been undertaken in Wales, HealthWise Wales hopes to recruit 260,000 people aged 16 and older. People who volunteer to take part in the project are asked a series of questions which will help researchers to better understand the health of the people of Wales. The information collected will also be used to help the NHS plan for the future. 

Minister Rebecca Evans said:

“The research can help us understand how to find better treatments, improve health and social services, and increase the health and wellbeing of the people of Wales. The more people who get involved, the more powerful the results will be so I encourage everybody across Wales to take part.”

The Minister was speaking as new TV, radio, train and newspaper adverts are rolled out across Wales today. The adverts feature real Welsh people who have signed up and are encouraging others to do the same.

Helen O’Sullivan from Wrexham registered to help others overcome illness, Warwick Leek from Rhondda Cynon Taf signed up to help raise awareness of mental health issues, while Sara Crowley from Aberdare volunteered to take part to help improve treatments for diabetes.

Helen, who has experience of cancer, said:

“I read about HealthWise Wales online and, for me, it’s about trying to inspire other people. I feel so lucky, and have received great care from the NHS. I registered because I wanted to pro-actively help other women deal with their health issues.”

Professor Shantini Paranjothy from Cardiff University, Scientific Lead for the project, said:

“I am delighted to lead this project which has great potential to increase the public’s understanding and involvement in health and social care research in Wales. Everyone living in Wales aged 16 and over can get involved with HealthWise Wales. I’ve signed up because I wanted to contribute my information to make a difference to the population’s health and wellbeing.”

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The ambitious £5m campaign centres on a highly-creative new TV and Cinema advert – with a wide-range of other activity in Wales, the UK, Ireland, Germany and the USA throughout the year.  Filmed in Snowdonia, the advert harnesses the best of Wales’s creative talent and 21C technology to bring our nation’s legends to life to new audiences across the world – inviting audiences to #FindYourEpic in Wales again in 2017. 

Fronted by Luke Evans from Pontypool – star of some of 2016 and 2017’s biggest films – and directed by Marc Evans, the cinematic advert is a showcase for legendary Welsh storytellers, old and new.

Luke Evans is the latest Welsh celebrity to back the 2017 Year of Legends tourism campaign. Joining a line-up currently comprising Game of Thrones star Iwan Rheon and musician and presenter Cerys Matthews, Luke is supporting Visit Wales to confidently celebrate Wales’s unique culture in new ways. 

He said of his involvement in Wales’ Year of Legends campaign: 

“I am excited to get behind Wales as we share some of our most fascinating stories with visitors from all over the world. Growing up, Wales’s stories were very much a part of my culture, and their impact can still be seen today if you know where to look. There is so much emerging talent in Wales today, and so many world-class attractions. 2017 really feels like the right time to celebrate and share our heritage and how it impacts us today and into the future.”

Cabinet Secretary, Ken Skates, said: 

“During these times of great change we are committed to promoting Wales to the world like never before – taking our nation’s story out to new audiences with creativity and confidence. The Year of Legends is about brining our past to life and creating new legends for the future. I’m delighted that an international star like Luke Evans has worked with us on a cutting-edge advert which marks a different approach to tourism advertising, and make Wales stand-out from other countries.  Many people may not be aware of the wealth of myths and legends we have here in Wales and this is an opportunity for us to tell our story in a modern way.”

Filmed at Llyn Llydaw in Snowdonia, this advert is an inspiring, intriguing introduction to Wales’ wealth of stories and characters – some world-famous, others lesser-known. Branwen; Rhiannon; Blodeuwedd; Owain Glyndŵr; Llywelyn; Merlin; Llyn y Fan are mentioned by Luke Evans with the use of CGI adding a magical layer to depict flying slate arrows, rising waters, and the birds of Rhiannon.  Further information on the legends in the advert are then found on visitwales.com 

The advert will be shown on television, in cinemas, on digital platforms and social media and at events throughout the Year of Legends as part of a multi-media approach that also includes print and online campaigns; outdoor advertising; and partnerships with organisations as wide-ranging as Warner Brothers and P&O Ferries.  Forthcoming highlights include a Legendary Media Reception in Manhattan with the First Minister on 2 March; the Explore GB Showcase for buyers from 40 countries on 2-3 March in Brighton; and a presence at the ITB Berlin international tourism trade fair from 7-10 March. 

Research shows that Visit Wales marketing has a real impact on the Welsh economy and aims to drive more than £300m of additional spend in Wales. 

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Social Care Wales will come into effect from 3 April 2017 and will replace the existing Care Council for Wales.  This change is being made as part of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016.

Minister for Social Services and Public Health, Rebecca Evans has today announced that the board will be chaired by Arwel Ellis Owen who is the currently the Chair of the Care Council for Wales board.

The other members will be: Abigail Harris, Aled Roberts, Carl Cooper, Damian Bridgeman, Donna Hutton, Emma Britton, Grace Quantock, Joanne Kember, Jane Moore, Kate Hawkins, Peter Max, Rhian Watcyn Jones, and Simon Burch.

Members will serve for a period of four years, from 3 April 2017 until 31 March 2021.

Rebecca Evans said:

“Social Care Wales will be a dynamic and powerful body. It will take on new responsibilities for driving improvement across our social care sector, as well as retaining existing responsibilities for regulating and developing the workforce.

“Following unprecedented interest and a competitive selection process, I am pleased to announce the membership of the new Social Care Wales board.  

“The members, headed up by Arwel Ellis Owen, are passionate about, and committed to, improving social care in Wales. They have a diverse range of skills, experience and perspectives which makes them well-placed to drive improvement in social care.

“I look forward to working with Social Care Wales as it ensures we have a high-quality social care workforce that provides services fully meeting the needs of people in Wales.”

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