UK and Welsh Governments to explore new rail links between South Wales and England

THE UK and Welsh Governments, on 2 February 2023, have announced that they are working together on a £2.7 million study, funded by the UK Government, to develop options for new stations and services on the South Wales Main Line.

The study follows Lord Hendy's recommendations from his review of transport connectivity across the UK, which put forward the need to relieve congestion on the M4.

A series of options will be considered as part of this study, among which is the development of 5 brand new stations between:- Cardiff and Severn Tunnel.

Transport Minister, Richard Holden said:- "Delivering better transport links is a vital part of how we transform opportunities for people from across the United Kingdom. That's why I am so delighted that, working with the Welsh Government, we are getting the ball rolling on in depth work to boost connectivity and drive growth."

Following the publication of Lord Peter Hendy's Union Connectivity Review in 2021, the UK Government committed to forging and strengthening transport links that will create a more cohesive and connected United Kingdom.

Research carried out for the report specifically highlighted how important travel across the border between Wales and England is, with a large number of people travelling daily for work, services and leisure.

Secretary of State for Wales David TC Davies said:- "Good transport connections between South Wales and Western England are essential for the economy in Wales, enabling businesses to grow and flourish and making life easier for people to travel for work and leisure. This funding from the UK Government is vital in exploring how best to relieve congestion across South Wales. I'm pleased to work with the Welsh Government on plans that could have a huge impact on the many thousands of people who use the transport network in South Wales every day."

Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for Climate Change:- "This is a key step to tackle congestion around Newport and was 1 of the main recommendations of the Burns Commission, which was endorsed by Lord Peter Hendy's Union Connectivity Review. The business case is compelling and we are keen to make progress so that we can get more people onto South Wales Mainline trains, complementing Welsh Government's investments in improving access to rail."

Lord Peter Hendy also proposed reviewing the route connecting North Wales to the North West of England, better connectivity with HS2 and a package of railway improvements to increase connectivity and reduce journey times between:- Cardiff, Birmingham and beyond.

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Government's strategy for children's social care offers promise for kinship, foster care and family help

THE Government has set out how it plans to roll out changes to the children's social care system in England, following a major independent review published last year led by Josh MacAlister, alongside the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel into the tragic murders of Arthur Labinjo Hughes and Star Hobson, and that led by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Responding to the plans, Adoption UK CEO Emily Frith said:- "We welcome the principles in the plan, such as the focus on early support and investment in kinship and foster care in order to keep families together wherever we can. Investment in the social care workforce is also very welcome, allowing social workers to spend more time with families. But there is a mountain to climb to ensure every child gets the love and support they need throughout childhood. There is an urgent need for more investment in children's social care - particularly given the impact of the global Pandemic and the current cost of living crisis on children and families."

Ms Frith continued:- "Where it is not possible for children to live with their birth family, adoption is a vital option for children to grow up in loving families, but the plan barely mentions adoption, which risks perpetuating siloes within the care system between different forms of permanence."

Adopter and former foster carer, Becky Brooks said:- "I was a foster carer and fostered my children before adopting them. But they are still the same kids, irrespective of their legal status, with the same needs and the same potential. We must see care experience as a continuum and not as separate sets of children."

The plan commits £200M to be spent on the reforms, which falls well short of the Review's recommended £2BN over the next 5 years, meaning many of the plan's ambitions will have to wait until the next spending round.

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