Lesley’s latest press releases, with details of her local activities and developments at the Senedd:
| WREXHAM AM : CREDIT UNION TV CAMPAIGN SHOULD TAKE FIGHT TO PAYDAY LENDERS 20/02/2012 |
| Wrexham Assembly Member Lesley Griffiths believes it is time Credit Unions ‘took the fight’ to unscrupulous lenders and has welcomed the announcement of a TV ad campaign. A TV advertising campaign commissioned by The Social Investment Business is to hit Welsh TV screens this week, and will highlight the ways in which Credit unions can help their members. Scheduled during primetime slots on ITV daytime television, the drive aims to increase awareness of the services Credit Unions provide. Credit unions are looking to further expand their membership, despite having enjoyed an unprecedented boom in membership levels over recent years. The adverts will run for a four week period to encourage people to ring the credit union helpline (number) or visit the findyoucreditunion.co.uk website for an alternative and low cost source for small scale credit. Members enjoy access to low cost credit, no arrangement fees and no hidden costs on loans. Low rates of interest mean Credit Union Members face no more than £68 pound in interest on a yearlong loan of £500. AM Lesley Griffiths, a Member of Wrexham Credit union for a number of years, thinks additional promotion is needed for the range of services Credit unions provide: “I welcome this new advertising campaign, and believe it is about time the services of the Credit Union became more widely known. “Credit Unions have been providing a vital community service for years, which aims to help members rather than purely squeeze profits from them. However, they face an uphill struggle against unscrupulous lenders which stream adverts all day long, often offering eye watering interest rates in the small print. “I am heartened to see the Credit Union movement taking the fight to these other sources of credit, advertising at the same times on the same channels. “For individuals facing difficulty, local Credit Unions can provide a lifeline to inexpensive credit when it is needed most, and prevent dangerous debt cycles from devastating lives. “ |
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| AM WELCOMES PROACTIVE APPROACH TO DANGEROUS DOGS 13/02/2012 |
| AM WELCOMES PROACTIVE APPROACH TO DANGEROUS DOGS |
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| AM TAKES STUDENTS ON BACC STAGE TOUR OF SENEDD 11/02/2012 |
| Lesley Griffiths AM was delighted to meet with Wrexham Welsh Baccalaureate students and talk about the workings of the Welsh Assembly at the Senedd, Cardiff, this week . The group, from St Christopher’s School, were given a tour of the award winning buildings, watched First Minister’s Questions and took part in a mock debate in the Ty Hywel building. Lesley discussed the work of the Assembly, and talked to students about the differences between her two roles as Assembly Member for Wrexham and Minister for Health and Social Services for Wales. However, students first took the chance to hold a debate of their own, on the pros and cons of banning smoking in cars when children or young people are aboard. Following a lively debate, the pupils eventually passed a ‘motion’ that smoking in cars carrying minors should be banned, with just one vote against. The group then went on to watch the to-and-fro of real-life debate in the Senedd, watching a session of First Ministers Questions taking place from the gallery above. Commenting, AM Griffiths said: “It is important children and young people are encouraged to learn about and engage in democracy, and it is always a pleasure to welcome young faces to the seat of Government in Wales. “I could see the students while I was sitting in the chamber – and they were clearly paying close attention to proceedings. I hear the pupils also got really involved in debate of their own, hopefully not too inspired by the raucousness of First Ministers Questions. “ “I would like to thank Kerry Ellis for organising the trip and ensuring order was maintained in the debate. It was a pleasure and I wish all pupils I met the best in achieving their Welsh Baccalaureate qualifications. “ |
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| AM LEARNS OF AFRICAN CHARITY WORK AND HOW TO BE SAFE ONLINE AT YALE 08/01/2012 |
| On a visit to Yale College this week, Assembly Member for Wrexham, Lesley Griffiths has been learning how students are keeping safe online and plan to help African orphans. Visiting on Friday 3rd February, Lesley learned of how students have been signing up in droves to learn about how they can keep safe online with DangerPoint Internet Safety sessions. The hour long sessions which accommodate 50 students each, are taking place as part of Internet Safety Week. The sessions have proven highly popular and with students oversubscribing, staff have been forced to lay on additional sessions to keep up with demand. The sessions form part of the colleges commitment to the safety and wellbeing of their students when they are online and mark Internet Safety Week which runs until the 10th February. In addition, the visit gave the Assembly Member an opportunity to meet with students planning a trip to visit South African schools and orphanages, as part of the Yale College "Challenge Africa" charitable initiative. Each year staff and students go over to South Africa to assist in teaching work in schools and orphanages. The group met with Lesley to chat about their plans before they embark for South Africa later this week. Speaking about the visit, AM Griffiths said: “Every time I visit Yale I am impressed by the dedication students show toward their respective projects and how the College clearly promotes projects and initiatives that students can feel involved with and really engage. “Internet Safety Week highlights the ever increasing importance of being safe online to young people. It is great to see the College taking a proactive approach and such high levels of interest among students. “The Challenge Africa project also displays just how global the outlook of today’s young people is becoming. Yale College sends a group of students to help African children each year, making a huge difference to the lives of children, at the same time providing a priceless educational experience for the students. “I can only applaud the students and staff who take part in this each year – and wish them the very best for their trip. “ |
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| AM BACKS CAR SMOKE CAMPAIGN 06/02/2012 |
| Lesley Griffiths, Assembly Member for Wrexham has launched a project aimed at helping people over 50 get back into work, in Wrexham this week. The ‘Prime of Life’ project will provide support people in the over 50s across Wrexham and Flintshire to help them back into employment, self-employment, training or voluntary work. The lottery funded scheme pairs up clients with Mentors and is already helping 15 people across the two counties. ‘Prime of Life’ Clients are given advice on with interview technique, updating their C.V as well as Work experience and support when apply for jobs. The contract is administered by ‘Prime Cymru’, a Prince of Wales charity which has provided support to over 50 year old across Wales since 2001. Speaking at the Launch event, Lesley Griffiths said: “I welcome the work the ‘Prime of Life’ is doing across Wrexham and Flintshire. “Contrary to the perceptions of many, most people in the over 50s age group want to continue working and contributing to the economy. Not only that but they are willing to learn, with almost half having undertaken some form of training in the last three years. “People are living longer, and working longer. However, problems with the perception of the employability of this age group persist. “Groups like Prime Cymru therefore provide a highly valuable service, giving people the tools they need to get themselves back into the workplace, at the same time as changing perceptions of the over 50 age group. “ |
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| AM LAUNCHES OVER-50s PROJECT 02/02/2012 |
| Lesley Griffiths, Assembly Member for Wrexham has launched a project aimed at helping people over 50 get back into work, in Wrexham this week. The ‘Prime of Life’ project will provide support people in the over 50s across Wrexham and Flintshire to help them back into employment, self-employment, training or voluntary work. The lottery funded scheme pairs up clients with Mentors and is already helping 15 people across the two counties. ‘Prime of Life’ Clients are given advice on with interview technique, updating their C.V as well as Work experience and support when apply for jobs. The contract is administered by ‘Prime Cymru’, a Prince of Wales charity which has provided support to over 50 year old across Wales since 2001. Speaking at the Launch event, Lesley Griffiths said: “I welcome the work the ‘Prime of Life’ is doing across Wrexham and Flintshire. “Contrary to the perceptions of many, most people in the over 50s age group want to continue working and contributing to the economy. Not only that but they are willing to learn, with almost half having undertaken some form of training in the last three years. “People are living longer, and working longer. However, problems with the perception of the employability of this age group persist. “Groups like Prime Cymru therefore provide a highly valuable service, giving people the tools they need to get themselves back into the workplace, at the same time as changing perceptions of the over 50 age group. “ |
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| AM – LET’S WORK TOGETHER ON FIRESTONE 01/02/2012 |
| LABOUR AM for Wrexham, Lesley Griffiths has issued a call for Wrexham Council and the Welsh Government to work together on ‘ambitious’ plans to boost the towns economy. The comments follow an update on Tuesday on the nest stage of plans for Enterprise Zones in Wales from Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science, Edwina Hart. Though Wrexham was not part of the second round of schemes announced, the Minister indicated her officials were working with the Council on other plans for the area. In response, Lesley Griffiths AM has highlighted plans for the ‘Firestone’ site on Wrexham Industrial Estate as pivotal to boost jobs and growth for Wrexham. AM Griffiths said: “Although an Enterprise Zone for Wrexham was not part of this week’s announcement by the Minister, the statement did highlight the great potential there is in Wrexham. “Wrexham has an attractive skills base, a cutting edge university and a healthy mix of industry and business services on the doorstep. “I believe there is good scope for the Welsh Government and Wrexham Council to work together on developing a tailored project to promote jobs and growth in the area. “The Firestone site at Wrexham Industrial Estate is a large area of prime multi use-land owned by the Welsh Government in the town, which could accommodate the kind of ambitious project needed to attract jobs and industry to Wrexham. “In addition, recent Welsh Government funded improvements to the Industrial Estate link road mean that the infrastructure around the Firestone site will be second to none in the near future. “I look forward to talks between Wrexham Council and the Welsh Government over the coming months on future plans at the Firestone site, which I believe has the potential to compete with anything in the UK in terms of attracting new businesses to the area. “ |
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| AM: SCHEME TAKEUP SHOWS WELSH APPETITE FOR GROWTH 31/01/2012 |
| As the Welsh Government’s £15million Economic Growth Fund closes its doors to new applications, Wrexham Assembly Member Lesley Griffiths has spoken of what the ‘phenomenal’ takeup of the scheme says about Welsh companies 2012 ambitions. The Economic Growth Fund closed its doors to new applicants on midnight 31st January 2012. Since began in December, more than 220 applications have been received and it is thought more than 100 businesses will be helped from across Wales in 2012 as a result of the Scheme. In response to demands from industry, the Welsh Government’s has allocated £40million more funds for the launch of a new all-Wales SME Investment Fund which will begin providing finance to Welsh businesses from March 2012. This will be managed by Finance Wales and consist of £20m from the Welsh Government and an additional £20m of investment from private finance. AM Griffiths has written to businesses in the Constituency of Wrexham to let them know of the scheme. Speaking of the recently wound-up Economic Growth Fund, Lesley said: “The phenomenal rate of applications received by the Economic Growth Fund shows the appetite small and medium sized companies have for expansion, even in the current frosty economic climate. “ “Some of the most innovative companies are to be found right here in Wales and the high level of interest in the Scheme demonstrates the appetite for growth there is in 2012. “Many Welsh companies want to expand but just face difficulties in securing the necessary finance to realise their plans. It is right that the Welsh Government has stepped in with creative schemes designed to support the needs of companies. “The Welsh Governments is demonstrating its continued commitment to jobs, growth and Small and medium sized businesses in Wales with the launch of the SME Investment Fund in March. This sends the right message to companies that the Welsh Government has confidence in their ambitions and is prepared to back this with investment.“ |
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| AM WELCOMES EXPANDED ROLE FOR HELPLINE 30/01/2012 |
| Following this week’s Launch of the All Wales Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Helpline, Lesley Griffiths, AM for Wrexham has spoken of the importance of the importance of help being available to victims. The Helpline was first launched in 2004 as the Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline and has since taken over 215,000 calls from people in need of help and support. The service is now expand its service to cover sexual violence, as well as domestic abuse as part of a wider problem. This follows a Welsh Government funding boost of £4.4 million in 2010 which made specific provision for expansion of All Wales Helpline services, alongside helping 18 domestic abuse charities across Wales including Wrexham Women’s Aid. The All –Wales domestic abuse Helpline provides a 24 hour, bilingual information service, to help and guide those who need it to sources of help, advice, emergency support, information on rights and ultimately to safety. AM Griffiths has long been a supporter of organisations which work with victims of domestic abuse- including Wrexham Women’s Aid, which will work closely with the new helpline. Commenting, she said: “The All Wales Helpline has provided a valuable a lifeline for many who do not know which way to turn for help, advice or just for someone to talk to. “however, the expanded remit of the new helpline will enable it to reach more victims and deal with a wider range of cases. “ Charities believe that for every pound spent supporting people involving domestic abuse and sexual violence, three to five pounds are saved in down the line, through helping victims escape worsening situations. “ “I am pleased therefore the Welsh Government is taking the long view and maintaining support and funding commitments in this important area, despite financial pressures .” If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse contact the All Wales Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Helpline on 0808 80 10 800. |
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| BUSINESSES MUST PREPARE FOR TOBACCO VENDING CHANGE SAY AM 27/01/2012 |
| With under a week to go until a new Welsh Government law comes into force which will ban the sale of cigarettes from vending machines, AM for Wrexham Lesley Griffiths want Wrexham landlords to be prepared for a change which will protect young people. Although tobacco vending machines account for only one per cent of the UK market in tobacco sales, large numbers of young people under 18 purchase cigarettes from them, as one way of getting round questions over their age. Ten per cent of regular smokers aged 11 to 15 reports that cigarette vending machines are their usual source of tobacco. However, the Welsh Government aims to stop this by bringing in a ban on vending machines. From 1 February 2012, it will be illegal for premises to sell all tobacco products to anyone from vending machines regardless of age. This will mean tobacco products will always be sold by a human vendor in Wales, who will be required to ask for age identification where there is doubt. Advice has been issued to businesses affected to ensure they are aware of what is required of them and the penalties they could face if they do not comply. Wrexham Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths has spoken of how she believes the move will protect young people, and of wanting Wrexham landlords and other vendors to be prepared for the change. Speaking, Lesley said: “This simple move by the Welsh Government will prevent one of the most common routes by which young and underage people illegally access tobacco products. “As a result, this will prevent many from taking up a habit which is highly addictive and can have long term health implications. “It is important tobacco vendors in Wrexham are aware of this change in the law, as we do not want to punish or catch out legitimate and hardworking business people with this move. “It must also be emphasised that landlords and vendors will still be free to sell tobacco products on their premises, just from behind the bar or counter. “This move is not about removing a source of revenue, or inconveniencing smokers. The Welsh Government is rightly focused on preventing already illegal sales taking place and stopping to those of impressionable age, who may not fully understand the consequences of their actions, from accessing tobacco.“ Local Trading Standards Officers will be enforcing the ban in Wales. If a business is found to be selling cigarettes to the public directly from a vending machine, it could be fined up to £2,500. If any vending machine still displays tobacco advertising, the business could be fined up to £5,000 and the owner could face up to two years in prison. |
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