Eluned Morgan, the Minister of Health and Social Services of Wales, recently finished her thirty-fourth consecutive session in office. She looked back at key achievements and forward to key projects that would continue to make life better for Welsh people. In this session, Morgan highlighted why the UK government is clearly focused on increasing youth employment statistics. He addressed the need to invest in education and create a productive partnership with the UK government.
The session was an emotional and significant moment for Morgan as she reflected on the financial wins that her administration has brought home. “We’ve secured £6 billion more for Wales than we’d have had under the previous Conservative government,” she stated, emphasizing the contrast between her current administration and previous regimes. This unprecedented funding will undoubtedly strengthen many industries throughout Wales, especially those that work to improve youth employability.
Morgan discussed the Trawsfynydd nuclear project, which she noted was initially intended to constitute about 40 percent of the original portfolio value. The project holds the potential to generate jobs and foster clean energy advancement throughout Wales. Most importantly, it goes hand-in-hand with the overarching goal of spurring economic development.
In her speech, Morgan unveiled plans for a new “youth guarantee.” She argued that this program is the best thing we’ve got in addressing youth unemployment. “What we have got is a youth guarantee, and that is something that has made a difference,” she affirmed, highlighting the initiative’s role in providing young people with opportunities in the job market.
The First Minister agreed, then went further by highlighting civil liberties and the right to protest. “The right to protest is a sacred right in relation to how we do it in Wales,” she remarked. Her commitment to protecting this right was evident as she added, “You certainly won’t get any kind of objection from me in terms of the hawl [right] to protest,” reinforcing her administration’s dedication to upholding democratic freedoms.
Morgan said she was encouraged by the positive spirit of collaboration between her Welsh and UK government counterparts. This rosy picture emerges against the backdrop of Labour winning control at Westminster last year. She termed this relationship a “breath of fresh air,” highlighting how different it was from past experiences. “We’ve gone from Tory ministers not even engaging with us to more than 30 formal inter-governmental meetings since September, including two top-tier summits,” she said. This uptick in conversation is expected to lead to greater dialogue and collaboration on numerous pressing issues affecting the whole of Wales.
In an effort to enhance democratic participation, Morgan announced that four local authorities across Wales will participate in automatic voter registration pilots. The Senedd has also approved regulations that will allow these pilots to continue until the end of September. The Electoral Commission is due to assess them by December. The goal of this collaborative initiative is to make voting easier and inspire more people to participate in democracy.
Morgan stressed her administration’s investment in supporting families across Wales. “We’ve invested over £7 billion to support families, including in the Rhondda,” she stated. This deliberate investment is an example of how the federal government can prioritize social infrastructure and economic security for people all over the region.
Education remains a priority for Morgan’s government. She proudly declared, “We’re the first nation in the UK to roll out universal free primary school meals.” This program supplements existing federal efforts by reaching more children with nutritious meals directly on school premises. In doing so, we not only protect their health but improve their academic success.
Additionally, Morgan revealed plans for significant investments in early childhood education: “We’re investing £100 million a year in high-quality childcare, helping parents into work and boosting children’s life chances.” The goal of this funding is to provide that supportive environment for families. It improves the quality and breadth of developmental opportunities that young children have access to.
