Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM / AC
Datganiadau'r Wasg
Nid yw'r dudalen hon ar gael ar hyn o bryd
23 March 2006
Labour's failures spelt out
Plaid Cymru's Deputy Leader at the Welsh Assembly has commended Plaid Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones after he produced a comprehensive lits of Labour failures. Rhodri Glyn Thomas said that the list highlights the mistrust that the people of Wales have invested in the Labour party in Wales.
Mr Thomas said:
"The First Minister challenged Ieuan to produce a list of his governments failings and that's exactly what he has done. This list highlights exactly how badly the people of Wales have been let down."
Mr Thomas added:
"The Labour party has failed in its promises nationally. As we have seen with the increase in car parking charges and the closure of essential day centres they are also failing locally. It's hard to see how the Labour party can continue to expect people to trust them when they continue to abuse that trust."
Diwedd / Ends
Notes to Editors
LABOUR'S LIST OF 16 BROKEN PROMISES
EDUCATION
1. Pledge : A free breakfast for each primary school child in Wales. Later changed to - a free breakfast for every child in a primary school that wanted to offer one.
Reality : Fewer than 10% of primary schools in Wales are involved a year after the scheme was introduced. A far cry from the original promise.
2. Pledge : The Foundation Phase, a new learning through play method for 3 to 7 year olds was, initially, heavily promoted.
Reality : The Minister announced in November that the Foundation Phase would be delayed for two years, from Sept 2006 to Sept 2008. Will it ever go ahead ?
3. Pledge : All school buildings to be fit for purpose by 2010.
Reality : The expenditure required to achieve this would be around £50 million a year which is £15 million a year over and above that announced by the Minister.
4. Pledge : Half price bus travel for 16-18 year olds
Reality : This scheme has not started yet. The first pilot starts in parts of North Wales on 1st April 2006 and will last two years. So the scheme cannot possibly be rolled out until 2008 at the earliest.
5. Pledge : 22,000 additional students in Further Education
Reality : Latest figures (2004/5) show that there were 235,542 students in FE - down from 258,600 in 2003. A reduction of 23,058
6. Pledge : Invest £560 million to improve school buildings
Reality : Less than £60 million has been invested in repairs and maintenance in primary and secondary schools since 2003.
HEALTH
7. Pledge : To abolish home care charges for disabled people.
Reality : This manifesto pledge was dropped in February 2006.
8. Pledge : In 1999 Labour promised that " No one will wait more than 6 months for outpatient treatment, or more than 18 months for inpatient treatment" by 2003.
Reality : In 2006 there are 51,320 outpatients waiting more than 6 months and 30 inpatients waiting more than 18 months.
9. Pledge : In 1999 Tony Blair said " Everyone within the next two years will be able once again to see an NHS dentist - just by phoning NHS Direct."
Reality : The huge crisis in NHS dental provision in Wales - witness the front page picture of a quarter mile queue outside a dentist's surgery in Dinas Powys in the South Wales Echo recently, a scene becoming familiar all over Wales.
10. Pledge : Free prescriptions for everyone in Wales
Reality : Still costing most patients £4. We hear that the pledge will eventually be honoured in April 2007 - just before the next election of course.
ECONOMY
11. Target : Raise stock of all VAT registered businesses per 10,000 persons of working age from 93% in 2003.
Reality : In 2006 it has actually decreased by 2% to 91%.
12. Target : To increase household disposable income to 95% of UK figure
Reality : Up less than 1% from 87.9% to 88.3% in 2003.
13. Target : To increase Welsh GDP per person from 80% to 90% of the UK average.
Reality : Welsh GDP per person now stands at 79%, 1% below the original baseline.
14. Pledge : Better jobs....more Research and Development employment opportunities.
Reality : R&D employment equivalents in 2003 were 264,000. This figure fell to 228,000 in 2004. Research and Development expenditure remained static for 2003 and 2004 at £4 million.
DEVOLUTION
15. Pledge : Set up the Richard Commission to agree a way forward for the Welsh devolution process.
Reality : Ignored the recommendations of its own Commission representing all shades of opinion in Wales.
CRIME FIGHTING
16. Pledge : To create a £100 million crime fighting fund to tackle Welsh crime. Portrayed as a central plank of the battle against crime.
Reality : This fund has never been identified. There is no information on how it will be spent or whether, in fact, the £100 million has been allocated at all. A spin doctor's fantasy?
For further information contact Owen Hathway on 01269 597677 or 07921146442
