Thursday 20 October 2011

Speech on broadcasting and media, National Assembly, 19 October 2011

Simon Thomas: I will just follow Jenny Rathbone by saying that, 30 years ago, I did not have a television. I was brought up without a television, so maybe I should sit down now and not play any part in this debate. However, I am now a media junkie, so I need to have my say. This might be because I was brought up without a television—who knows?


It is a very timely and opportune debate and it is a great pity that we have not seen a great deal more proactive action by the Government in leading this debate in Wales. One of the clear things that has emerged over the last 18 months—as we have seen what has happened to S4C and the cuts being made to the BBC—is the lack of real debate in Wales and a lack of democratic accountability and scrutiny of what is going on. Not in an ideal world, but in a properly functioning democracy, you would expect these proposals to be put forward in a Green Paper or a White Paper in order for us to have our say. For example, the ideas that Peter Black put forward in his amendment are not to be sniffed at, although I do not think that we will be supporting the amendment. They are a stab at attempting to say what the structure should be. That should really be the basis for a properly published governance relationship set out between the BBC and S4C, so that we could look at it in the round and come to a decision on it. This is why Ian Hargreaves, who led the previous Government‘s successful foray into reviewing the creative industries, said that it is time for this Government to get playing. This Government should be leading the debate on new media and the current media in Wales.

If I remember rightly, a debate on S4C has been tabled by the Government for 4 November, but it is the opposition parties that have tabled the debates that have led to some level of scrutiny of these proposals so far in Wales. I do not think that that is good enough. We need to see much more proactive action from the Government. Each time we hear the next step—such as S4C appointing a chief executive, who will not take up the post until next April, or new governance arrangements from the BBC, although we know that it is the UK governors who really control the money within the BBC—it raises even more questions about the long-term survival of S4C and that of the BBC as an institution. Although Murdoch has gone away, the forces that he represents are still present. I am quite happy to say, as a Welsh

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nationalist, that I love the BBC and I would be happy for Wales to be independent, but to keep a UK BBC. I would be very happy with that, as long as we have democratic accountability to the Assembly as the elected Chamber with regard to the BBC in Wales. That is the next realistic step that we need to see.

When the 20 per cent cut to the BBC was first mooted last May, the First Minister said that such a cut would be unacceptable. However, since this became reality in October, he has said virtually nothing about it and no debate or questions have been tabled on it and neither has there been a statement from the First Minister. It seems that things are just slipping out of the purview of the Government and we need to have better perception on these matters.

I would like to emphasise two points in this debate. First, Ken Skates made a very good point about how print media got itself in its current mess. I do not share his optimism that the print media can get out of it. I think that new media is the way to go. I do not think that that is against journalism. I have noticed that I no longer buy a daily paper, but I buy more magazines, news reviews and other forms of print journalism. I value print journalism as much as I ever did—and I think that many of us do—but it is being delivered in a different way. The daily grind of daily newspapers is no longer the future. That is why the previous Government did not establish a printed version of a Welsh-language newspaper, but an online Welsh-language newspaper. It is important to bear that in mind. That is why we need broadband availability throughout Wales and a dotCymru/dotWales internet presence as a national internet presence to support the sort of journalism that could be delivered by broadband.

Secondly, Ieuan Wyn Jones raised an important point about radio. I wish to add to that by saying that we need local radio to reflect its local audiences and communities. A new bid has been submitted for Radio Ceredigion, and it is vital that Ofcom and the Government work together so that Radio Ceredigion accurately reflects the linguistic make-up of the audience that it serves, which is a 50/50 Welsh/English split.

These things are vital for local democracy and a thriving Welsh democracy. As Assembly Members, we often complain that no-one pays attention to what we do here unless we tweet it directly from the Chamber. That is no substitute for proper journalism and a properly regulated press and broadcast media in Wales. I hope that things will change shortly.

Friday 7 October 2011

Plaid AM calls for poorest people to get cheapest fuel

Plaid Cymru AM Simon Thomas has highlighted the need for action from the Welsh government to tackle fuel poverty.

During a meeting of the North Wales Fuel Poverty Forum in Welshpool, Mr Thomas said the Welsh government needs to engage with Westminster on the Energy Bill and the Green Deal that aims to ensure energy efficiency standards for homes and businesses.

The Mid and West AM also called on energy companies to ensure the cheapest tariffs are available to the most vulnerable in Welsh society.

Plaid Cymru AM Simon Thomas said: “We need action from the Welsh government to tackle fuel poverty. One in four households is deemed fuel poor. Nobody in Wales should have to choose between putting a meal on the table and keeping warm. The Welsh Government needs to engage with Westminster on the Energy Bill and the Green Deal to ensure that these measures boost the Welsh economy. How will the schemes set up by the Westminster Coalition Government run in Wales?
“The poorest in Welsh society are missing out on the cheapest tariffs because they lack internet access. People living in rural areas and pensioners find it difficult to get the cheapest tariffs. As the latest report by OFCOM shows broadband take-up in Wales still remains below the UK average. Broadband take-up is lowest among over-55s and poorer households. Those with a lack of financial services, debit cards and banks accounts miss out on some of the best deals.

"Companies need to work with providers of alternative finance for example credit unions and dedicate their vast profits to help the most vulnerable. Why did gas go up by 51% and electric by 28% when wholesale prices shot up on 2008 but only come down 6% and 9% respectively when prices fell later? Who is benefitting from these massive profits? If utilities don’t take action the Conservative – Liberal Democrat government should consider a windfall tax on the largest energy companies’ profits.”

According to Consumer Focus Wales around 232,000 Welsh households, or one in four Welsh households, were fuel poor in 2008. Most of these households are classed as vulnerable. Recent energy price increases will push at least another 90,000 households in Wales into fuel poverty. The Welsh government’s own statistics predicts half a million households in Wales are vulnerable to falling into fuel poverty should their incomes fall or energy prices increase (Minutes, Cross Party Group on Fuel Poverty 13.07.11).

The Fuel Poverty Coalition has also called on the Welsh government to implement a six point action plan ahead of this winter.