Politics

International Arthur film showcases Wales during Year of Legends

During Wales Year of Legends, the new epic film from Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures – King Arthur: Legend of the Sword releases internationally 12 May and UK wide 19 May showcasing some of Wales epic landscapes which will inspire international audiences to find out more about Wales’ wealth of legends and links with Arthur.

Thursday 11 May 2017

In the lead up to the release date, Visit Wales has partnered with VisitBritain on a digital campaign ‘Where Stories Become Legends’ which showcases legendary locations in King Arthur’s Britain to an international audience. The campaign features an exclusive behind-the-scenes video of writer/director/producer Guy Ritchie, writer/producer Lionel Wigram and the film’s stars Charlie Hunnam and Jude Law on location talking about the epic British landscapes used in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword and the emotions they inspire – film can be viewed on this link: Exclusive behind-the-scenes video on location for King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (external link).

Cabinet Secretary for the Economy and Infrastructure, Ken Skates, said:

“The release of the film during our Year of Legends is perfect timing as we explore Wales’ many legends and bring the past to life this year.

The film is a high profile showcase to Wales’ epic scenery as well as to our potential as a film location. This is the latest in a long line of high profile productions that have filmed on location in Wales, with support from Wales Screen, helping to boost local economies and promote the stunning locations on offer, internationally.

I hope that the film will inspire many to visit us during our Year of Legends, and to take part in their own epic story during 2017.”

The locations from the film include Llyn Gwynant, Capel Curig and the Wye Valley.

BAFTA Cymru and Pontio have secured a special preview screening of the new film ahead of the UK release date. Audiences in Wales will have an opportunity to see the magic up on the big screen in the Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre, Bangor, North Wales on Sunday 14 May at 8pm.

This is the latest film to hit the cinema screens which has been filmed in Wales. further information on other films featuring Wales can be found on this link: Epic film locations (external link).

May 11, 2017 NewsWelsh Governmentpolitics • Welsh Government

New figures show that Theresa May is failing millions of NHS patients – Jonathan Ashworth

Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, commenting on NHS England Combined Performance Statistics for March released today, said:

“Theresa May’s winter crisis is stretching into summer and it is NHS patients who are paying the price. The Tories have caused chaos in A&E and have admitted that waiting times are only going to continue to grow. The truth is that standards of care for NHS patients have collapsed this winter because years of Tory underinvestment have left staff unable to cope with rising demand, and cuts to out of hospital care have left patients stuck in hospital even when they’re well enough to go home.

“Thousands more people are waiting for A&E care and routine treatment every week because of the failures of this Tory Government. Behind every one of these statistics is a patient and their family in pain because of Theresa May’s refusal to give the health service the funding it needs.

“At this election only Labour are promising to give the NHS the funding it needs to deliver the standards of care which patients expect. By guaranteeing and upholding the standards of service to which patients are legally entitled under the NHS Constitution Labour will help millions of people who are being failed by Theresa May and the Conservative Government.”

Labour’s leaked plans for Scotland spell more chaos and confusion

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Labour’s leaked plans for Scotland spell more chaos and confusion

11 May 2017

Labour’s leaked election manifesto has exposed more confusion in the party’s position on a second independence referendum.

The document commits a Labour government to establishing “a constitutional convention to examine and advise on reform of the at Britain works at a fundamental level”.

It follows Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale’s call for Britain to become a federal country, with looser ties between Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Ms Dugdale said in February a federal UK should be an option on the ballot paper in the event of a second independence referendum.

The following month, Jeremy Corbyn said he was “absolutely fine” with a second referendum being held.

Scottish Conservative candidate in Edinburgh South West Miles Briggs said:

“Labour’s leaked manifesto claims the party is opposed to a second referendum – yet we know Jeremy Corbyn has said he is “absolutely fine” with a referendum.

“Just as Labour can’t seem to publish a manifesto properly, nor can we trust a word they say on the Union.

“The SNP’s obsession with independence is costing Scotland dear, as this week’s shameful statistics on the state of our education system shows.

“Years and years of Labour navel gazing over the constitution would be just as damaging and who knows where it would end?”

Announcing her support for federalism last December, Kezia Dugdale said details should be thrashed out in a constitutional convention that “would follow the model” of the Scottish Constitutional Convention – raising the prospect of years of constitutional wrangling.

The body dominated political debate in Scotland for six years, from 1989 to 1995, before the creation of the Scottish Parliament.

Scottish Labour’s plan for federalism is vague but potentially could leave only defence, foreign affairs and the currency as UK-wide issues – similar to the SNP’s discredited proposal for ‘full fiscal autonomy’.

May 11, 2017 GovWorldMagScottish Conservativesscottish Conservatives

The Tories’ failed economic plan is holding Britain back – John McDonnell

John McDonnell, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, commenting on today’s Bank of England Inflation report, said:

“Today’s downgraded growth, earnings and productivity forecasts and upgraded inflations forecasts, signal bad news for living standards under the Tories.

“These forecasts from the Bank of England come on the back of disappointing growth for the first three months of the year and downgraded forecasts from leading independent forecasters for the UK economy.

“There is no hiding from the truth. The Tories’ failed economic plan is holding Britain back, and is undermining our economy and threatening working people’s living standards.

“This General Election is a choice between a Labour Party who will stand up for the many and a Tory Party which only looks after the privileged few.”

May 11, 2017 GovWorldMagLabourLabour • Labour Party

“Let’s keep up the pace on local government reform” – Mark Drakeford

The Cabinet Secretary said:

“I congratulate all councillors – both new and returning – who were elected last week.

“Local government plays a vitally important role in the lives of every person in Wales. Councils provide the services which educate our children, care for the elderly, dispose of our waste and light our streets.

“Wales’ newly-elected councillors have taken on a valuable role in our society and know the many responsibilities that come with public office.

“The coming weeks will be busy as new administrations are formed and council leaders are elected. Councillors are facing many challenges but none of us must lose sight of the wider issue of local government reform.

“After I announced new proposals for local government reform last year, I have been encouraged by the willingness of leaders to engage and I’ve had some very constructive and positive conversations.

“I want to continue this dialogue and work with council leaders in the same spirit of mutual respect as we take the next steps in reforming local government in Wales.

The Cabinet Secretary added:

“Inevitably, we will not always agree but I want to stress this is not an open-ended process – I will listen to different views but we will be moving forward with mandatory regional working.

“The Welsh public have heard us talking about local government reform for many years and the time has come to bring this to a long-lasting resolution.

“We have had thoughtful and well-considered responses to the White Paper consultation and I will shortly set out our next steps.

“I will be writing to council leaders over the coming weeks and am very keen to meet with them over the next few months as we discuss how we can move forward and build a solid working relationship for the years to come.”