Llyr Gruffydd MS Member of the Senedd for North Wales

The summer has been an important opportunity to engage with organisations and individuals. From the Royal Welsh to the Eisteddfod and more local shows such as in Denbigh & Flint, Anglesey and Llanrwst, I had the opportunity to hear about the hopes and concerns of constituents from all across north Wales and beyond.

Thanks to everyone for sharing their views!

Llyr Gruffydd MS backs the Save our Surgeries campaign

Recently Llyr Gruffydd committed to support doctors campaigning to save and better fund GP surgeries, saying primary care is viewed as a Cinderella service with the NHS.  Mr Gruffydd said that maintaining GP surgeries in all parts of the region was essential to ensure access for all patients.

He added: "Doctors in Wales, through the British Medical Association, are highlighting the pressures GPs face and I know that many surgeries in the north Wales region are facing huge challenges in terms of recruiting GPs and maintaining services, especially in some rural areas. I'm pleased to say that a recent recruitment campaign in Betws y Coed, where a GP practice was in danger of closing, was a success but there are ongoing challenges in many areas.

"It was a pleasure to speak to BMA Wales members Dr Phil White, Dr Sara Bodey and Dr Paul Emmett to learn more about the workload issues and problematic buildings. I know from my campaigning for a new GP surgery building in Hanmer, for example, how important that is for improved patient care.

"We have a growing elderly and less healthy population and this is placing enormous pressure on our health service. As GPs are the first port of call for patients it's important that they are adequately resourced.

"Plaid Cymru has a long-standing policy to increase the numbers of doctors in Wales and that also means more GPs - in 2012 a GP had an average of 1719 patients, today they have an average of 2318. We also have 25% fewer full-time equivalent GPs compared with a decade ago and the proportion of NHS Wales funded provided to GPs has reduced from 8.7% in 2005/6 to 6.1% in 2022-3. That's a significant reduction and helps explain while primary care is often seen as the Cinderella service within our NHS. 

"Having a medical school here in the North will provide a solution over time and that was a hard-fought campaign by Plaid Cymru. We've been committed to improving our NHS and in particular primary care for all my time as an MS but the Labour Welsh Government has not prioritised that need. We need the political will to make the changes needed to improve our NHS, otherwise we will continue to see GPs prematurely leave the health service because of workload pressures."

Ongoing pollution issues in a north Wales town have been raised by Llyr Gruffydd MS, who has described Chirk as a ‘forgotten town’.

In a question in the Senedd chamber recently, Mr Gruffydd asked for action to prevent recurring issues with microfibres in the environment: “Could I request a statement, again, from the Cabinet Secretary for climate change, but this time regarding industrial pollution from the Kronospan site in Chirk in my region? In recent months, long-standing problems with emissions from the site have intensified. Clouds of microfibres from the plant blight hundreds of homes on a regular basis and that, in turn, clearly raises concerns amongst local people about any impact that's having on their health. 

“A recent public meeting in the town heard that, despite acknowledging that the problem existed, the company's management was unable to pinpoint the source of the pollution. Clearly that should be a further cause of concern, particularly for the public body charged with monitoring the plant, Natural Resources Wales, but they don't appear to be responding effectively either to local concerns, in particular in terms of the impact on health.

“I'm asking for a statement from the Government, outlining what steps you will take to help resolve this situation and how you will step in and protect the health of those living near the site. In fact, I'd call for a health assessment to measure the long-term impact of this ongoing pollution on people's well-being. The long-suffering citizens of Chirk need to know what practical steps this Government is now going to take to make sure that industrial pollution at Chirk is minimised, and that public health and public safety are maximised.”

Jane Hutt, Business Secretary, responded:  “This is something—again, we have the Cabinet Secretary here—where we need to know about these concerns from local residents, particularly in terms of industrial pollution and the impact this site is having in Chirk. So, again, it would be helpful if you could write to the Cabinet Secretary, but he's already here to note and to follow it up, not just with his officials, but clearly with the regulator, NRW.”

Speaking later Mr Gruffydd said: “Residents have complained time and time again to the company and NRW over odours and the microfibres being released from the factory. One has commented that the Clean Air Act applies to every part in Wales – except Chirk it seems. Air monitoring equipment that is meant to keep residents safe does not, in fact, monitor microfibres or odours. Chirk appears to be a forgotten town when it comes to ensuring residents’ safety.”

Another week at the Show!

The show in Llanelwedd is a great opportunity to chat and meet, learn and listen.  Of course, the showground is an ideal place to meet old friends, and to reminisce over a coffee.

Thanks once again to all the organisations for extending an invitation again this year to chat and discuss - although the daily diary was packed to the brim with meetings and presentations, there was plenty of time to wander and chat, and to fill the car with a host of the best produce rural Wales can produce.

Although the 2024 show has just finished, the sights are already turning to the 2025 show – that will soon come...

Llyr Gruffydd MS stated in the Senedd chamber – “Too many children with additional learning needs are being let down by the system.” And went on to ask – “With autistic children sometimes waiting years to be assessed, how is the Government addressing this injustice?”

There is growing concern that the whole support system for children with additional learning needs (ALN) is failing.  Mr Gruffydd added-

“Children referred for assessment frequently have to wait years for an assessment, and even when diagnosed the support simply isn’t there to help them.”

In 2018 the Welsh Government passed a law that makes supporting ALN a priority, and is meant to streamline the processes as well as to protect the rights of ALN children to get the support they need.

Llyr Gruffydd added-

“Currently, far too many children are falling through the net.  Some fail to get the assessment they need, others fail to get the most basic of support they need to thrive. 

“It is far too late for many of them – the most critical years of their education are behind them by the time they get any kind of help.”

“I call on the Government to sort this out as a matter of priority before we lose more of this generation to a system that is far from being fit-for-purpose”

In response to Llyr Gruffydd, Lynne Neagle the Cabinet Secretary for Education said-

“There is some really good practice in Wales, but there is more that we need to do to ensure consistent implementation across Wales, and that's something that I'm working on at the moment.

“There's more work to do. We've had encouraging feedback from Estyn, and they're currently conducting another thematic review.”

Llyr Gruffydd MS has hailed a dairy in the Conwy valley as a “fantastic example of rural entrepreneurship” and was full of praise for Llaethdy Plas Isa Dairy, in Llansanffraid, when he went there on a constituency visit.

The burgeoning company has a vending machine which is located near the pitch at Glan Conwy Football Club, which is just off the A470, it supplies a local milk round, as well as local stores

It produces full fat, semi-skimmed, and skimmed milk, as well as milk in a variety of flavours, including banana, chocolate and strawberry flavours.

The dairy, which has become a huge hit with locals since it was launched four years ago when the Jones family decided to set up a dairy on their Glan Conwy farm and sell directly to the public.

Rachael Jones and her husband Huw invested in much-needed specialist equipment such as a pasteurisation unit, which means their milk can be pasteurised on the farm. They also built a large extension on their dairy and installed a cool room.

Llŷr Gruffydd said:

“It was a pleasure to visit Llaethdy Plas Isa Dairy to find out more about the business and how it is innovating and how it is serving the local community.

“Their milk and their milkshakes are hugely popular and it’s no wonder because the taste is delicious.

“What Rachael and Huw have already achieved with Llaethdy Plas Isa Dairy is a fantastic example of rural entrepreneurship and I’m looking forward to seeing how the business develops in the future.

“They are investing in their business, in local people and in their community which is wonderful see. This helps ensure that the local community can remain vibrant and they’re making fantastic wholesome products while they’re at it.

“It is vital that the Welsh Government does all it can to support businesses such as this.”

Llyr Gruffydd called the current system ‘unfair’ and ‘unworkable’ for many people with disabilities and has called on the Welsh Government to issue a statement outlining a plan to overhaul the system.

In a statement in the Senedd this week Llyr Gruffydd, the regional Senedd Member for north Wales said-

“The current system forces individuals to reapply for their blue badges every three years, and that is causing concern for many. There's a high percentage of blue-badge users that have long-term or lifelong conditions, yet they still have to apply every three years for their new badges.

“Why is it that a passport or driving licence only needs to be renewed every 10 years, yet a disability blue badge needs renewing every three years? It simply isn’t fair.  There’s a further issue with the complexity of the forms that need to be filled out, and accessibility issues for applicants to obtain the passport photos needed from photobooths”

Concerns have been raised by hundreds of members of the disability rights community in North Wales with over 1600 supporters signing a petition calling on the Government to overhaul the process.  North Wales based charity Stand North Wales said

“This process can be very frustrating, and time consuming for both individuals and their caregivers and focus heavily on the negative aspects of an individual’s abilities”

Llyr Gruffydd went on to add-

“Surely, if you have a lifelong condition, then you should be able to get a lifelong blue badge.”

Llyr Gruffydd MS has taken aim at the “unsustainable” underfunding of care homes in North Wales, and has warned that not funding care homes properly is a “false economy” which could lead to bed blocking in hospitals.

He highlighted the fact that care comes receive less funding from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for providing continuing health care than they receive from local authorities for caring for people who have less intensive care needs – with one care home in Conwy receiving £6,000 less per year for every single resident.

Mr Gruffydd challenged the Welsh Government’s Minister for Social Care, Dawn Bowden on the issue during a debate in the Senedd, has been contacted by a number of care comes across North Wales that are concerned about the way the sector is currently being funded.

Llŷr Gruffydd MSsaid  “A number of care homes across north Wales have contacted me recently raising concerns about the state of the sector's funding.

“Care homes receive less funding from Betsi Cadwaladr for the provision of continuing healthcare than they receive from local authorities for caring for individuals who have less intensive care needs; in Conwy, for example, it's £6,000 per annum less for every resident.

“Now, the health board has made the funding decision for the current year without consulting with the sector, although now, by the way, as a result of the angry response from the sector and intervention from politicians, it has agreed to a meeting to find a way forward.

“But can I ask whether you agree with me that not funding care homes properly is a false economy?

“That is to say that if these care homes refuse to take residents or close because of underfunding from the health board, then it's the health board itself that will then have to deal with the situation, with more hospital beds blocked, and it's they who will pay the price.

“So, what steps are the Government taking to resolve this unsustainable situation? What advice do you have for Betsi Cadwaladr in terms of paying fair fees to care homes to avoid a situation where the care system is deteriorating, which would cost far more to Betsi Cadwaladr in the long term?” 

In response Dawn Bowden said that it was up to local authorities to “determine” how they allocate funding and that the Welsh Government “can't tell local authorities how to spend their money”.

Recently Llyr Gruffydd backed a campaign to end period poverty and reduce stigma said period poverty is “an issue that is impacting a significant number of young people across North Wales”.

Llyr Gruffydd has put his weight behind the Love Your Period campaign, which recently held an event at the Senedd.

He spoke with representatives from Irise International, which is an organisation that advocates for period equality for all.

The event, Every Period Counts: Ending Period Poverty a Stigma in Wales, was sponsored by fellow Plaid Cymru MS, Heledd Fychan.

It brought together young people from across Wales to share their experiences and discuss the necessary changes to end period poverty  and stigma for school pupils in Wales.

The aim is to raise awareness of menstrual health and advocate for better access to menstrual products. 

The Love Your Period campaign was founded by Molly Fenton from Cardiff, when she was just 18 years old and studying for er A Levels.

Molly, who has won a St David’s Award for her campaigning work, became inspired by period poverty campaigner Amika George during a period of time off school due to ill health.

She is driven by her the lack of guidance she experienced when she was growing up, and is determined to to empower girls across the nation through her internationally recognised movement.

She has bravely shared her own journey with a benign inoperable brain tumour through her blog, and wants to acts as the big sister other young women might not have by encouraging conversations about periods, sexuality, and health.

Llŷr Gruffydd MS said: “Period poverty is an issue that is impacting a significant number of young people across North Wales.

“Unfortunately it is an issue that has been ignored and unaddressed for far too long because of the stigma involved.

“That is why I am supporting the Love Your Period campaign to end period poverty and stigma for school pupils all over Wales.

“No one who needs sanitary products should be in a situation where they are forced to go without. 

“Everyone who needs these essential items should be able to access them without facing financial burdens or societal stigma.

“I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to speak with representatives from Irise International about the important and award-winning work they are doing in the area of period equality programming and advocacy.

“I would also like to commend the work of Molly Fenton who at such a young age has shifted the conversation in Wales about topics often shrouded in stigma such as periods, sexuality, and health.

“There is a real need for open and honest conversations about young women's health and Love Your Period has become a sanctuary for girls, where they can find education, resources, and most importantly, a space to be heard and understood.

“It’s vital that young people’s voices are heard on issues that directly affect them. There is clearly a very important educational context to this issue and we need to ensure that there is access to period products in school toilets.”

Wrexham company's fire and re-hire tactics condemned by Llyr Gruffydd.

A Wrexham company's fire and re-hire tactics for its 1200 workers have been condemned by Llyr Gruffydd.  In a question in the Senedd recently,Llyr Gruffydd described the moves by Rowan Foods owners Oscar Mayer to fire and re-hire workers on worse working conditions that could cost an individual worker £3,000 a year. He called on the Welsh Government to act to ensure such attacks on workers’ conditions are rejected in Wales.

Mr Gruffydd made his comments in questions to Sarah Murphy, Minister for Social Partnership: “You might be aware that approximately 1,200 workers at Rowan Foods in Wrexham are facing an uncertain future due to plans by the owners, Oscar Mayer, to make workers redundant and change working conditions, and that includes an annual pay cut of £3,000.

“That's a policy of firing and rehiring on worse conditions, which obviously belongs to the Victorian age. I'm seeking a commitment now, as are the 1,200 workers and their union Unite, that this Government will do all it can to oppose such a regressive policy. So, do you agree that it's absolutely reprehensible that a company like this can on the one hand pay its chief executive £0.5 million a year and on the other hand treat its workers in this way? If you do, then what are you going to do to ensure that this firing and rehiring isn't allowed to happen?”

In response Sarah Murphy said: “Obviously I'm not in favour of fire and rehire, it's not something that, as a Welsh Labour Government, we are in favour of either. I know that sometimes they try to call it something else as well. But I myself have worked with trade unions over the years to very much push back on this, with the levers that we have at the moment in the Welsh Government.

“Obviously, where we're coming from and where I'm coming from as the Minister for Social Partnership is that we'd never want to get to a place where this is happening and is happening to workers in a way that surprises them, catches them off guard, and then leaves them high and dry but also without the support to maybe be upskilled and go on to other work. I would start by saying that is what we always endeavour to do. That is not what has been able to happen in this situation.

“I am very saddened to hear this. It is under the Cabinet Secretary for the economy. We take every hit like this and feel it as well. Ultimately, we want to make sure that this doesn't happen again going forward. But, let me say on record that, no, I do not agree with this approach, and I want to make sure that this cannot happen going forward.”