Mar172017

It is shocking that over 70 per cent of young people have never experienced political education in school, college or university – Cat Smith

Labour
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Cat
Smith MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs, commenting on
45forthe45th Legacy report published today, said:

“It
is shocking that over 70 per cent of young people have never experienced
political education in school, college or university.

“As
the Tories take the country down a path of Brexit chaos, it is essential that
young people are educated about the civic and public institutions which frame
our laws. Not only will this increase voter engagement and turnout, but it will
make government more accountable for its actions.”

Mar172017

Cabinet Secretary announces Arts Council appointments

Welsh Government
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The terms of appointment for Ms Kate Eden, Dr Rachel O’Riordan and Mr Dafydd Rhys will commence on 1 April 2017 and will initially last for three years.

ACW Council members are responsible for setting the aims and objectives of the Arts Council, aligning these  to the Welsh Government’s strategic priorities and ensuring funding in Wales is invested effectively.

The three new members are in addition to the two members appointed from 1 November 2016 and complement the current membership of the Council. With the appointments the Council will now comprise 13 members plus the Chair,  Dr Phil George.

The Cabinet Secretary said:

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of these three new Council members. These appointments have enormous personal and professional experience in the arts but come from completely different backgrounds.

“Their individual skills, knowledge and expertise will add significantly to the current strengths of the Council during a period of transition as it faces up to the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Phil George, Chair of ACW added

“I’m delighted to welcome three new members who will bring a wealth of skills and experience, as well as a passion for the arts, to our Council.

“They will be terrific advocates and ambassadors for the arts in Wales and I look forward to their contribution as we strive to ensure that all communities in Wales are able to benefit from and have access to high quality arts.

“We look forward to welcoming them as Council Members to our Council meeting in May.”

Two long-serving current members – Dr Kate Woodward and Mrs Margaret Jervis – come to the end of their third and final terms of appointment on 31 March 2017.

Mar172017

Response to Theresa May’s speech to the Conservative Party Spring Conference – Andrew Gwynne

Labour
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Andrew
Gwynne MP, Labour’s Campaigns and Elections Chair, responding to Theresa May’s speech
to the Conservative Party Spring Conference, said:

“The PM
claims she has a plan for a fairer, more ‘united Britain’ but she’s pursing an
agenda which will do the opposite.

“As their
shambolic Budget has shown, the Tories have no plan to stand up for ordinary
people and their promises aren’t worth the paper they’re written on – they
break them whenever it suits them. Under them those at the top get tax breaks,
while middle and low earners are worse off, targeted for cuts and tax
increases. Far from building a stronger Britain, the Tories are undermining
what makes our country great, running the NHS down, squeezing our schools and
crushing aspiration. And their shambolic approach to Brexit risks a bad deal
for Britain, meaning we’ll all be worse off.

“Britain
is worse off under the Tories.”