'First Minister should correct misleading statements on dentistry' - Plaid MS

Plaid Cymru’s North Wales MS is calling for the First Minister to correct statements made to the Senedd regarding dental services.

Llyr Gruffydd MS wants First Minister Eluned Morgan to apologise to dentists after misleading statements to questions he raised in a recent meeting of the Senedd’s Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister.

Mr Gruffydd said: “A damning letter from the British Dental Association’s Welsh chair makes clear that the First Minister misled the Senedd on three critical matters regarding dentistry in Wales.

Pupils from Ysgol Glan Conwy were among four schools from north Wales visiting the Senedd in Cardiff recently, and while there they met Llyr Gruffydd MS.

Mr Gruffydd said: “It’s always a pleasure to meet with pupils who’ve travelled down to visit the Senedd. Ysgol Gynradd Dolwyddelan, Ysgol Gynradd Capel Garmon, Ysgol Gynradd Betws y Coed and Ysgol Glan Conwy have all visited this week and it’s an important part of their education to ensure they understand how they are represented in the Senedd and how democracy works in Wales.

“It’s also valuable for political representatives to see electors and future electors come down to our national parliament in Cardiff, so that we can listen and learn about their experiences and challenges.”

Llyr Gruffydd raised concerns in the Senedd about Global Radio's decision to cancel their Welsh language service Capital Cymru.
 
Welsh language provision on commercial radio in Wales will be due to an end on 24 February following this announcement, closing the Capital studio in Wrexham and laying off all employees according to GlobalMedia, owners of Capital.The Welsh language programmes on the station will all disappear.

The changes are possible following the introduction of the new Media Act in October 2024 – there was no requirement in the act on any commercial station to provide any local offering (and certainly not in Welsh) following the introduction of the act. This is despite OFCOM's promise - "The Media Act is designed to protect public service broadcasting". Obviously Welsh isn't part of any consideration.
 
No Welsh music will be played on Capital'r airwaves in Wales following the change.  Radio Cymru and Radio Cymru 2 will be the only channels playing Welsh language music in the North beyond Mon FM community radio. 

Prior to the Media Act 2024, Ofcom's existing powers regarding the use of Welsh by commercial radio licence holders were limited. Licensees would make commitments on the character of services – including any Welsh commitments – as part of a competitive process of applying for a licence. Ofcom would then impose licence obligations reflecting these commitments. This meant Ofcom could not mandate Welsh language commitments, only enforce these commitments where they had been made.
 
In a statement in the Senedd Llyr Gruffydd said-

"Last week Global Radio announced that they were ceasing broadcasting their Capital Cymru radio station. Capital Cymru is unique – it is a station that broadcasts the gross of its daytime provision in Welsh to North West Wales. The company will close their Wrexham studio permanently, laying off 12 staff. The implications of this decision are far-reaching. This is the end of an era of commercial Welsh-medium broadcasting in the north – a period that has continued for decades.  

"This is also the end to airing Welsh music on the commercial airwaves – another blow to the music industry in Wales. This decision follows the introduction of the New Media Act last year. Under the old regime, OFCOM had the ability to require commercial broadcasters to offer a service in Welsh under the stations' licensing conditions.  Several recommendations came from the Senedd's Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee that a similar provision be included under the new law – and indeed the committee called for the Bill to be amended. But the Westminster Government ignored the demands.

"Of course, devolution of responsibilities for broadcasting is the only ultimate solution to protecting Welsh and Welsh broadcasting on the airwaves, but in the meantime, can the Government make a statement on the current situation, and what can be done to protect the provision, and of course – a number of valuable jobs?"

CONCERNS have been raised amid more and more waste from England being dumped in a controversial landfill site in Wrexham.

The latest statistics obtained by Llyr Gruffydd for the Hafod landfill site in Johnstown, Wrexham revealed that 61% of the waste dumped there is from England with the remainder coming from north Wales. Just 19% is from Wrexham itself.

The site, which is run by Stafford-based Enovert, has come under criticism in the past year amid ongoing odour issues.

Residents have reported a "rotten egg" smell since October 2023, with an enforcement notice being issued to Enovert to address the issue in December. 

Last month, the issue was debated by Wrexham Council's Scrutiny committee, which said that parties needed to stop passing the buck, and address the matter.

In 2020 Mr Gruffydd questioned the company about the origins of the waste material. Back then, more than a quarter (27%) came from the Wrexham area.

Significantly more waste is now coming from Liverpool and Merseyside - 37% - as opposed to 21% in 2020.

Mr Gruffydd said: "The main concern is about the health and safety of the site and its impact on local residents. Back in 2020 people in the area were advised to close their windows during a heatwave because of the fumes from the fire that started on the site.

"Since then there have been ongoing concerns about the stink coming from the landfill, which affects residents in nearby Ruabon and Johnstown. The landfill has mainly been used by authorities in the north-west of England to dump waste away from their population and it's shameful that Wrexham residents are expected to just grin and bear it.

"Back in 2020, I received assurances from Wrexham Council that no municipal waste from the county was being dumped in Hafod. But the overall percentage of municipal waste from all authorities is increasing over the years and that may be the reason why the odour problems are becoming more pronounced now. 

"Residents want reassurance that the site is safe and the emissions are not harmful to local people's health. The growing level of waste being transported by lorries from across the border is another concern - aren't there any landfill sites closer to Liverpool, Manchester and Warrington? How long will residents near Hafod have to put up with this problem?"

Llyr Gruffydd MS underscored the economic importance of Deeside Industrial Estate, where TATA Steel is a cornerstone employer. He urged both the Welsh and UK Governments to do more to support the industry.

“The Deeside Industrial Estate is a huge economic asset for North Wales, and TATA Steel is a vital part of that. We in Plaid Cymru will do our utmost, not only to protect plants like Shotton but to ensure they thrive.

“TATA Steel still has a huge presence in Wales, and both Cardiff and Westminster must do everything possible to safeguard the industry. Communities across Wales rely on a thriving steel sector.”

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS has described TATA Steel’s Shotton plant as the “jewel in the crown” of the Welsh steel industry, emphasising its crucial role in sustaining steel production across the country.

During a visit to the Deeside site, Rhun ap Iorwerth, Llyr Gruffydd MS (Member of the Senedd for North Wales), and Luke Fletcher MS (Plaid Cymru’s economy spokesperson) were given insight into the plant’s operations and its significance within TATA’s UK steel network.

The Shotton site employs 800 people and specialises in adding coatings to raw steel products from other plants before shipping them directly to consumers.

These coatings—such as zinc galvanising and colour coatings—significantly increase the value of the steel, making Shotton a key player in TATA’s UK operations.

Speaking after the visit, Rhun ap Iorwerth stressed that the plant is an essential part of TATA Steel’s operations and wider Welsh industry.

“The Shotton site is unique within TATA’s operations in the UK—it’s the site that adds real value to its steel products. It’s a vital part of the company’s operations—without this site and its workforce, TATA’s steel operations in the UK wouldn’t survive.

“Supporting an employer like TATA in North-East Wales is crucial, not only for the region but for the wider steel industry in Wales. Without the Shotton plant, the operations in Port Talbot and Trostre cannot thrive, and without the supply of materials from the other plants in Wales, Shotton cannot survive.”

Concerns over future supply chain stability

Luke Fletcher MS highlighted the ongoing uncertainty surrounding TATA Steel’s Port Talbot steelworks, where plans for a shift to new technology could have knock-on effects for Shotton’s operations.

“Plaid Cymru has been fighting tooth and nail to save operations at the Port Talbot steelworks. What happens there directly impacts the plant here in Shotton.

“With seismic changes taking place in TATA’s Port Talbot operations, we must consider how this will affect Shotton—especially in terms of the quality and nature of the steel produced with the proposed new technology.”

The role of Shotton in TATA’s global operations

TATA Steel’s Shotton plant is part of Tata Steel Colors, the company’s premier European site for metallic and paint-coated steel products.

These products are used in construction and domestic appliances across the UK and overseas.

The 500 Colors employees at the site are joined by a further 300 staff working in related company activities and contracting roles.

The site has an annual galvanising capacity of 400,000 tonnes and a coating line capacity of up to 600,000 tonnes.

Shotton’s role is particularly important as it adds value to TATA’s steel products, with the coatings significantly increasing the final product’s worth.

A dental practice in Rhos-on-Sea is the latest to end its NHS contract with the health board – the fifth in north Wales over the past three months.

The “accelerating crisis” in NHS dental care across the North has been highlighted by Llyr Gruffydd MS, who has previously warned of NHS dental care facing extinction.

Mr Gruffydd said: “This is an accelerating crisis as dental practice after dental practice hands back their contracts. We’ve seen this happen on Ynys Mon, in Llandudno, Coedpoeth and Buckley and now it’s Rhos-on-Sea. From talking to dentists, the problem appears to be the new contracts introduced by the Labour Government. Although well intentioned, they are not working and it’s obvious from the growing number of dental practices opting out that it needs tackling before NHS dental care disappears completely.

“It’s also clear that Betsi Cadwaladr health board is aware of the pressures. Whereas three months ago it was telling patients about alternative NHS dental provision in the region, the latest announcement states: ‘The Health Board does not hold information on which practices have capacity to accept new NHS patients, as this position is subject to regular change. We therefore recommend that patients contact practices periodically, to ask if they can be added to their NHS waiting list.’

“We have warned Labour ministers that this is a serious problem and they are doing nothing about it. We have asked the health board to respond to requests from dentists to be able to treat under-18s on NHS contracts and that’s been rejected. Both are sitting on their hands and doing nothing while this key aspect of the NHS is dismantled before our very eyes.

“The additional cost of private dental care to families – more than £500 a year for a family of four – at a time of an ongoing cost-of-living crisis is a very real issue. But more serious is the growing number of people who have no dental cover. We’ve asked for numbers and are told by the health board that they don’t know. The long-term damage to people’s dental health is incalculable.”

Mr Gruffydd added: “Plaid Cymru is committed to the NHS and access to NHS dental care. We’ve campaigned for a Dental School to train more dentists here in north Wales. That’s a longer-term solution to ensuring we have enough trained dentists but, in the meantime, we need to see the Labour Government in Cardiff take the dental crisis in north Wales seriously.”

Recently in the Senedd Llyr Gruffydd pressed the Government for a review of the cancer screenimng provision in Wales.

Addressing the Senedd, Llyr gruffydd asked for a statement from Jeremy Miles, the Cabinet Secretary for Health on the matter.  The issue has been in the news spotlight recently with Sir Chris Hoy revealing that he has terminal cancer stemming from the prostate.

Llyr Gruffydd said in the Senedd Chamber-

"Currently there is no provision for screening in Wales or other areas of the UK, despite prostate cancer being the most common cancer in men.

"According to the cancer charity Prostate Cymru - the outdated NHS guidelines are putting lives at risk. Despite all men aged over 50 being entitled to a free PSA test, younger if there is a family history, GPs are told not to raise the subject with men unless they have symptoms.
As highlighted by Sir Chris Hoy in recent weeks, in most cases there are NO symptoms, and by the time someone does present with symptoms, the cancer will be at a much-advanced stage, and potentially incurable."

The current risk is 1 in 8 men, 1 in 3 if there’s a family history.

In his plea to the Welsh Govermnment Llyr Gruffydd asked-

"So will the Welsh Government take heed of Sir Chris Hoy’s calls and look again at its position on Prostate Cancer screening in Wales?"

Llyr Gruffydd recently had the opportunity to congratulate the Young Farmers Clubs and members on recent achievements.  Success came to a number of clubs and individuals at the Young Farmers' Eisteddfod in Carmarthen. 

This is what Llyr had to say about the successes at the eisteddfod-

"I can take this opportunity to congratulate the Young Farmers of Wales on their success at the Young Farmers' Eisteddfod held in Carmarthen recently. A number of competitors came out on top from my region of the North in areas as diverse as the Vocal Ensemble – Rhosybol Club, Anglesey who took first prize, Hawys Grug from Clwyd who won on the youth solo, and Mared Edwards from Anglesey who came out on top in the Reporting Digni competition.

Congratulations also to Mared Fflur Jones from Anglesey on winning the chair, and to Elain Iorwerth who is studying at Bangor University on winning the crown.  Of course, the huge success of the eisteddfod again this year is a tribute to the vital role of the movement as the backbone of Welsh culture and the Welsh language across Wales."

Young Farmers achieved success at the organisation's British awards held at the Birmingham National Conference Centre on the same weekend. Llyr Gruffudd had to say wrth congratulated those who attended the brunch at the ceremony in Birmingham-

One of the stars of Uwchaled's young farmers – Ceridwen Edwards who came out on top in the 'Heart of the YFC' category – Ceridwen won over 2000 votes to scoop the award, due to her tireless work for her club. Ceridwen impressed the judges because of his energy in developing the inclusivity of the movement, and of his energy and enthusiasm.

Another great achievement of the evening was Llangwyryfon Young Farmers Club, Ceredigion, which won the 'Community Spirit of the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs' award. According to the Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs, the club "loved how the club helped keep the Welsh language alive through bilingual activities that bring people together." 
Club members had played a key role in the or campaign to save the village hall in Llangwyryfon, and the federation's praise was generous to the club- "Their actions not only benefit the club, but also benefit the community" said a federation spokesperson. "

The Young Farmers Clubs of Wales has over 5,500 members – some as young as 10, the oldest being 28. 


It is believed that over 1.1 million voluntary working hours are carried out annually by members.

It is true that the clubs and their members are truly the backbone of rural Wales, and their invaluable contribution to society often continues throughout their lives. The pillars of society without a doubt.

On the 24th of October Llyr Gruffydd had the privilege of addressing the Anglesey section of the Farmers Union of Wales. The meeting was held in the YFC building on the Anglesey Showground in Mona. There was a lot of ground to cover, and Mr Gruffydd discussed a host of issues affecting the rural economy including-

• Plaid Cymru's work in putting pressure on the Government to come up a workable version of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).
• The implications of the new NVZ regulations coming intoo force affecting the storage and disposable of agricultural slurry on farmland. The industry is struggling to come to terms with the new regulations, especially after an unusually wet summer which has severely hampered slurry spreading over the summer months.
• The latest on the Goverenment's plans to tackle Bovine TB, and the need for a proper strategy that will reduce incidences of the disease and ease pressure on the industry.
• Plaid Cymru's call for a summit to discuss the issue of local authorities selling off Council Farms in order to balance th books. The sale of these farms greatly affects new generations of farmers trying to get into the industry.
• The issue of Blue-Tounge disease in sheep.