Concerns raised that AWEMA bosses to receive pay-offs

Plaid AM asks for guarantee that no public money will be spent

A Plaid Cymru AM has asked for assurances from the Labour Welsh Government that no public funds will be used to pay-off AWEMA officials implicated in the charity's financial mismanagement.

Bethan Jenkins AM said that sources connected to AWEMA had raised concerns that officials implicated in recent reports into financial mismanagement at the charity would receive 'redundancy payments' as the organisation's affairs are brought to an end.

Ms Jenkins said that given the extent of maladministration highlighted in last week's official report, and previous reports, it would be scandalous for those responsible to receive any further public money.

Plaid Cymru AM Bethan Jenkins represents South Wales West where AWEMA is based. She said:

"People connected with AWEMA have voiced concerns that those at the centre of allegations of financial mismanagement at AWEMA will now receive pay-offs as the charity is wound up.

"It cannot be right that any public funds should be given out in this way. Those responsible for the financial mismanagement at AWEMA should not be allowed to receive any more taxpayers’ cash.

"I've asked the Welsh Finance Minister for a cast-iron guarantee that no public money will be given to those people implicated in the affair, unless they are first cleared of any wrongdoing."

Plaid Cymru bids the Welsh Six Nations squad good luck

As the 2012 Six Nations competition gets underway, Plaid Cymru AMs have wished the Welsh squad good luck.

The leader of Plaid Cymru Ieuan Wyn Jones has said:

"The squad did us proud out in New Zealand last autumn, and I’m looking forward to an equally impressive performance in this Six Nations. Their thorough preparations have made them a physically and mentally strong team that we are all extremely proud of.

"I’m sure that they will enjoy great success in this campaign, and I wish Warren Gatland and the squad the best of luck."

Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson on Sport Bethan Jenkins AM said:

"The professional attitudes, great team spirit and hard work and dedication of our national rugby team make them excellent role models for young people. I look forward to cheering them on every step of the way during this Six Nations tournament, and I wish them the best of luck!"

Support for greater powers, or independence for Wales has increased significantly - ITV-YouGov poll

Commenting on the ITV-YouGov poll released today (Thursday), Plaid Cymru’s Jonathan Edwards MP said;

“Support for greater powers, or independence for Wales has increased significantly in the space of just a year - up from 17% 42% when people consider the possibility of Scottish independence.

“There can be no doubt that political structures of the United Kingdom are changing. Wales must not be defined purely in relation to what happens north of the border. We must chart our own path.

“Wales is clearly growing in confidence and people are now leading the calls for greater responsibilities to be transferred so that we in Wales can create jobs, help our businesses grow and improve people’s lives.

“Plaid Cymru will be setting the agenda on these issues by showing how control over our own affairs will give Wales the best possible chance to help our nation flourish.

“Meanwhile, the unionists parties face a major crisis in terms of the future of the UK.

“Only yesterday, Labour united with the Tories in Westminster to vote against giving Wales control over our vast natural resources. It seems that once again, Labour prefers Tory rule to home rule.” 

Plaid proposed energy revolution - Labour and Tory MPs team up to vote it down

Extraordinary scenes as labour block devolution of energy powers to their own Government

Plaid Cymru MP Jonathan Edwards yesterday repeated calls for energy powers to be transferred to the Welsh Government, currently run by Labour - but his motion was defeated by Labour MPs, who teamed up with Conservatives MPs to stop their own party in Wales taking these powers.

Jonathan Edwards hoped to introduce a bill in Westminster which would give the Welsh Government powers over energy generation in Wales – something supported by both Labour and the Conservatives in their Welsh general election manifesto last year, where they argued that there should be an increase from the present 50MW limit.

Mr Edwards argued that the proposal would lead to equality with Scotland and Northern Ireland and that it would allow Wales to better fight fuel poverty if we had responsibility for our own resources.

His proposal was defeated by 239 votes to 44 after Labour and Conservative MPs teamed up together against the Bill.

Commenting after the vote, Jonathan Edwards said:

"It is extraordinary to see Labour MPs from Wales teaming up to vote with the Conservatives against a motion that would empower the Welsh Government which they run. Do they just not trust Carwyn Jones with these powers?

“My Bill was simply titled ‘Energy Generation Wales’ and, although our policy is for full transfer of powers to Wales, it would have been open for other MPs to amend and put forward their own suggestions.

“This was an opportunity for Labour to introduce proposals from the manifesto on which their Welsh Government were elected last year but their MPs in London seem strangely keen that Wales should not have these powers.

“When you see the Conservatives and Labour walking through the lobbies together in London then you know that they are doing something which is good for Westminster, not for Wales.

“It is a strange world where Labour would so obviously rather have the Conservatives in charge of energy in Wales than take responsibility for it themselves.

"In 2012 alone, Labour MPs from Wales have voted in favour of NHS privatisation, a reduction in farming subsidies for Wales and now against Wales having the same energy powers as Scotland and Northern Ireland.

"If Carwyn Jones can’t persuade Welsh MPs to support his policies, then it makes you wonder if he has any influence on his own party – never mind his complete failure to influence the Tories in charge at Westminster."