- 29/07/2015
- Posted by: Mike Hedges MS
- Category: Press Releases
MIKE HEDGES WELCOMES WALES GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT TO BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR THE UNDER 7S
The Welsh Labour Government is making real headway in improving the life chances of under sevens, a new report shows.
Mike Hedges AM said – this is very good news for young people in Swansea; I have long been a strong fan of the Flying Start scheme and other measures aimed at improving the early years of children in the area. There is overwhelming evidence that the earlier you intervene to improve children’s life chances, the better the chances of success. This report provides more evidence of this. I have visited all of the local Flying Start projects and can vouch for the good work they have achieved. I have called for the programme to be extended to areas such as Trallwn – I hope this report enhances the chances of the scheme being extended.’
The 2014-15 progress report for the Welsh Labour Government’s “Building a Brighter Future” plan highlights the real achievements which have been made over the last 12 months that will positively impact on the lives of Wales’ youngest people in the years to come.
The report covers a wide range of issues including health and wellbeing, family support, education, childcare. Over the past year the Welsh Labour Government has:
• Taken the decision to legislate to ban smoking in cars carrying children.
• Already exceeded its 2016 target for Flying Start with over 37,000 children in Wales benefiting from the programme last year.
• Increased funding to under 5s from low income families through the extension of the Pupil Deprivation Grant.
• Published and accepted the recommendations of the Successful Futures report which lays the foundations for a radical new curriculum for Wales that will ensure young people are well prepared for 21st Century life.
• Passed the pioneering Well-Being of Future Generations (Wales) law – legislating to ensure the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of our future generations.
• Announced an additional £7.6m for children and young people’s mental health services.
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