PLAID PENARTH CALLS FOR ENERGY COMPANY FOR WALES

Wales is an energy rich nation – yet Welsh households face the most expensive fuel bills on mainland Britain.

With the London Government controlling key energy policy decisions, recent figures show that Welsh customers face an average electricity bill of £503 - more than the UK average of £479.

To make matters worse, gas bills here now average £873 – a charge exceeded only by London – which means that combined energy bills in Wales are topping £1,400 for the year.

Plaid Cymru's Energy Spokesperson Llyr Gruffydd with Jill Evans MEP

Plaid Cymru has called for the full devolution of energy policy to the Welsh Government so that we in Wales can benefit from our own resources.

Welsh control would also enable us to switch to renewable sources of green energy while ensuring the benefits stay in our own communities.

Sadly, to date, Labour MPs in Westminster have failed time and time again to support Plaid Cymru demands for Welsh control over energy projects being brought to Wales.

The Party of Wales calls for the creation of a new energy company – Energy Wales, a not-for-profit company to benefit Welsh customers.

Plaid’s Energy Spokesperson in the National Assembly Llyr Gruffydd said: “Energy prices in Wales are a national scandal.

“Customers here pay more than anywhere in England and Scotland, despite Wales generating more electricity than it uses.”

“It is particularly unfair that customers who, for whatever reason, cannot pay through direct debit face paying through the nose for their gas and electricity.”

“Welsh families are paying the highest energy prices in the UK – and these prices are hitting our less well-off households the hardest.”

“Direct debit customers get the best deals, but Wales has one of the lowest percentages of people on direct debit. “

“Customers need advice as to how they can get cheaper bills, because we in Wales are being ripped off.”

“Plaid Cymru thinks it’s about time we stopped paying over the odds to boost the energy companies’ profits – and we call for a windfall tax on such profits.”

“Wales needs to have a not-for-dividend company for energy, as we have for water, so that any profits can be returned to customers and used to improve energy efficiency.”

“It is time that Wales took full responsibility for energy policy, rather than leaving it in Westminster’s hands.”

EUROPEAN FUNDING SHOULD HELP YOUNG PEOPLE INTO WORK

A call for money from the European Union to be used to help unemployed youngsters find work or an apprenticeship has come from one of the candidates representing Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales.

Addressing a meeting of party members and supporters in Penarth, Ioan Bellin said the Welsh Government should make a legally binding commitment for all young people who have been unemployed for four months to be offered a job, training or further education, funded through the European Social Fund.

Ioan Bellin (centre) with Penarth's UK Parliament and National Assembly candidates Ben Foday (left) and Dafydd Trystan Davies

“Long-term unemployment has rocketed since the current Labour Government took control in Cardiff Bay,” said Mr Bellin. “The number of young people claiming job seekers allowance for more than a year has more than quadrupled.

“Solving this crisis is vital, and it’s high time the Welsh Government followed the lead of Plaid’s Euro-MP Jill Evans, who has been campaigning for European support to reduce youth unemployment and help our young people become a skilled workforce.”

Mr Bellin also called for a change in European rules and a cut in red tape so that more Welsh contracts could go to Welsh businesses.

Such a move, he said, could create an estimated 46,000 new jobs in Wales.

He said that Plaid’s campaign for the European elections included support for a living wage both at home and in the rest of Europe, a new Welsh transport plan and guaranteed jobs, education or training for under 25s.

It was vital, he said, for Jill Evans, Plaid’s Member of the European Parliament, to be re-elected so that she can continue to be able to speak up for Wales.

Mr Bellin was welcomed to the meeting by the Chairman of Plaid Penarth, Adrian Roper. He was thanked by the party’s national Chairman, Dafydd Trystan Davies, who emphasised how important it was for Plaid to retain its seat at the European Parliament.

Mr Bellin also made reference to the unique place Penarth holds in the history of Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales, as the first meeting of the group which led to the foundation of the party was held in the town at Bedwas Place 90 years ago.