Rhondda AM Leighton Andrews joined forces with Breast Cancer Wales to take part in their annual “Wear it Pink” campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer. The “Wear it Pink” campaign – now in its 11th year – will see supporters on Friday 25th October 2013 from all over Wales embracing this year’s theme of superheroes. Speaking ahead of this year’s annual “Wear it Pink” day, local AM Leighton Andrews said: “Every year in Wales, over 2,600 women and are diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 600 will die from the disease. On average, 15 men will also get... Continue reading

Malky Mackay is the best manager Cardiff City have had in a generation. I was proud to welcome him and the team to the Senedd last May to celebrate winning the championship. Sadly, since my last post, it has been confirmed that Iain Moody, who was highly rated, not least by Malky and by players like Craig Bellamy, has now left the club. I know that good people have been working behind the scenes to give assurances to Malky and to ensure a better system of corporate governance is in place at the club. Mystery still surrounds the claimed overspend... Continue reading

Yesterday like most Cardiff City fans I woke up to hear the bizarre news surrounding the 'suspension' of the club's Head of Recruitment, Iain Moody. I refrained from commenting during the day until by early evening I had gathered enough information from other fans and journalists. Thousands of my constituents are Cardiff City fans. There is obviously a major public interest in this story. Equally obviously, it is important not to inflame the situation and make things worse. In sport, as in politics, business and trade union negotiations, it is important to focus on the outcome you wish to achieve... Continue reading

Leighton Andrews Does the First Minister agree that the biggest impact on poverty in Wales is caused by the UK Government’s welfare cuts, such as the bedroom tax? Does he also agree with me that the impact of the latest proposals of the UK Government to make claimants sign in at job centres on a daily basis could mean that many of my constituents would have to pay more than half their benefit in travel costs? Finally, is the First Minister aware that today the Prime Minister has said that he does not know the price of a loaf of... Continue reading

Yesterday, in a much-trailed speech, Iain Duncan Smith made it clear that some claimants would be expected to spend 35 hours per week in a job centre. That means daily trips to job centres. As I said in the Assembly yesterday in questions to the First Minister, some of my constituents would have to spend more than half of their benefit on travel. Of course, no-one should be allowed to claim benefit fraudulently. But it will be ordinary claimants who will be caught by this scheme. There aren't job centres in all communities, and that means bus or train journeys... Continue reading

Prime Minister David Cameron guessed that a "value sliced white loaf" would cost "well north of a pound", when he was quizzed about the cost of living on LBC 97.3 Radio. When it was put to him that the loaf would cost 49 pence, Mr Cameron again said he did not buy “value” bread because he uses a breadmaker. Only hours before Boris Johnson had admitted on Newsnight that he did not know the price of a pint of milk. He told Newsnight's Jeremy Paxman it was "about 80p or something like that". Told it was half that, he conceded:... Continue reading

Leighton Andrews supported Macmillan Cancer Support's World's Biggest Coffee Morning on Wednesday 27th September 2013 at the Senedd. He is also calling on the people of The Rhondda to get involved by holding their own coffee mornings, to help make the cancer charity’s fund-raiser the biggest and best ever. Leighton said: “In Wales more than 18,000 people are diagnosed with cancer each year. I know that a considerable number of constituents have personal experience of cancer, and I know that Macmillan has been there to support many of those in need. “Macmillan Cancer Support is there for people from the... Continue reading

The "Made in the Valleys" Autumn craft exhibition will be held on the 28th - 29th September at the Rhondda Heritage Park, Treforest. Be inspired and entertained by South Wales' creative talent. Bring the family to experience the work of artists, designers and makers for the home, garden or gifts. Learn about the work from the creators and enjoy 'have a go' sessions. 11:00 - 16:00 daily. For additional information, please telephone 01443 682036 or visit www.rhonddaheritagepark.com Details of exhibitors are listed below: CONFERENCE ROOM Mel De Castro Pugh - "Spiny Sharkly Things" - Artisan Jewellery collective Gaynor Lewis -... Continue reading

One year from today, the people of Scotland vote on the future of the UK. Last week I took part in a debate on this subject organised in London by the Institute of Welsh Affairs. You can see the first part of the debate here where you will also find a link to the second part. Continue reading

Dwi wedi dechrau ysgrifennu colofn wythnosol yn y cylchgrawn Golwg. Bydd y trydedd colofn yn y cylchgrawn yfory. Dyma'r ail colofn: Achub yr Undeb Ro’n i yn Llundain yr wythnos ’ma, i drafod dyfodol yr undeb gyda’r cyn-AS Adam Price a Dirpwy Lywydd y Cynulliad David Melding, ar ôl iddo... Continue reading

Last week the Welsh Government announced that it is taking action to deal with the blacklisting of trades unionists by some private companies. Public sector bodies in Wales can exclude blacklisters from bidding for public sector contracts under new Welsh Government guidance that aims to eradicate the practice. Blacklisting is a practice where individuals have been denied employment opportunities because of their trade union membership or their involvement in trade union activity. It is known to have been used by construction companies operating in Wales, and to have involved Welsh construction workers. This is an issue on which a number... Continue reading

The South Wales Programme proposes fundamental changes to the way in which hospital services are delivered to the Rhondda and to others throughout South Wales. The consultation document refers to a ‘best-fit’ model based on a five-hospital Option 3 with key services of consultant-led maternity and neo-natal care, inpatient children’s services and emergency medicine based at the Heath in Cardiff, Morriston in Swansea, the new critical care centre planned for Cwmbran, Prince Charles in Merthyr and Princess of Wales in Bridgend. I believe that this proposal is not the best option for either my Rhondda constituents or the South Wales... Continue reading

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BBC Radio Wales is leading on a story about advice being given to GPs not to write letters supporting welfare benefit appeals. This was brought to my attention by constituents this week and I have written to Bro Taf Medical Committee asking on what basis they have given this advice. It is outrageous. We know that high proportions of appeals are succeeding, often with support from local AMs, MPs and of course GPs. I will also be raising this with Ministers. Continue reading

I recently visited the Remploy site at Porth with Jeff Cuthbert, the Welsh Government's Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty. I was please to introduce Jeff Cuthbert to the workers and to discuss the various options for the future of the factory. I also welcome the news from Remploy that a potentially viable business bid was received for the Porth factory and a preferred bidder has been identified for the business. I hope that the next stage of the commercial process can be completed swiftly so that there will be a successful transfer of ownership and an end to the... Continue reading

I was delighted to attend a recent event at the National Assembly to mark 65 years of the NHS. I am grateful to NHS staff past and present for their hard-work and dedication. I support the Welsh Labour Government's committment to strenghtening and protecting the NHS for the future. I know how much my constituents rely on and value NHS services. Since the South Wales Programme launched their public consultation, many constituents have written to me to voice their support for the Royal Glamorgan Hospital. With the consultation closing on Friday, I urge all my constituents to take part and... Continue reading

I recently met with Robert Wandaski, Headteacher of Tonypandy Community College's link school Busui Central College in Mbale. Robert was in Tonypandy on week long visit. I enjoyed talking with Robert about the differences between the Welsh and Ugandan education systems and his experience of visiting Wales. I was also pleased to meet with Tonypandy Community College students who had recently visited Uganda. The Tonypandy Community College Uganda Link started in 2008 but this was the first year that students from the college had made the visit. It was a pleasure to meet Alex Prosser, Dewi Harris and Naomi Lewis... Continue reading

In 2004, I set up the Rhondda Calendar to raise money for local organisations in conjunction with the Rhondda Leader. The calendar features photographs of the Rhondda taken by local photographers. It is sponsored by local organisations and businesses. I am delighted that this year we have raised just under £4,000 which was shared between 25 Rhondda organisations. Continue reading

I was delighted to welcome Cwmclydach Primary School on a visit to the Senedd at the start of the month. The school recently won an award a the National Digital Learning Awards for the Best Learning and Digital Teaching Content for 3 to 11 year olds for their innovative collaborative ICT project with Bryn Primary in Llanelli. During their visit, the children told me about their Doctor Who themed project and showed me an E-book of their work. You can read more about their project on the Cwmclydach website and the TARDIS@Cwm website. Continue reading

Mal Pope’s hit musical about the life of legendary heavyweight boxer Tommy Farr is coming to Treorchy – and auditions are imminent for local wannabes to join the cast. As part of the centenary celebrations of the Park & Dare Theatre, “The Contender” is being staged by Grand Slam Productions and RCT Theatres in September 2013. This will be a youth theatre production of the musical which celebrates the life of another Rhondda centenarian as Tommy Farr was born in 1913, the same year as the opening of the landmark Treorchy theatre. The show is being part-funded by the Arts... Continue reading

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This week, I was pleased to welcome Rhondda Hard of Hearing Group to the Senedd. I enjoyed talking to the group about my work as Assembly Member for the Rhondda and answering their questions. It is always a pleasure to welcome Rhondda community groups to the Senedd. Groups interested in arranging a visit can contact my office for further information. Continue reading

I recently attended a Royal British Legion event in the Senedd to recognise the contribution the Armed Services make to our society. I talked with members of the Royal British Legion hear about the work of the Royal British Legion in Rhondda and throughout Wales. I was pleased to attend the event to show my gratitude to and support for the members of our Armed Services in Rhondda and throughout Wales and enjoyed speaking with Rhondda members of the Royal British Legion about their experiences in the Armed Services and the support they have received from the Royal British Legion. Continue reading

As Assembly Member for the Rhondda, I welcome Remploy’s announcement that they have received viable bids for its E-cycle business at Porth. The Remploy Board asked for expressions of interest in its Porth site in December 2012. Since then, the Board has judged the viability of bids on a series of criteria including continued employment of disabled people, value for money and the sustainability of the businesses. The Board has now invited bidders to submit best and final offers for these businesses and sites. I have been a regular visitor to the Remploy factory at Dinas in Porth over the... Continue reading

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