The campaign will run until the five pence minimum charge for a single-use carrier bag is introduced on Saturday 1st October 2011.

The money raised by the charge will not be going to the Government but will be passed on to good causes, particularly those benefiting the environment, by retailers.

As a result of the charge, the Government expects to see a 90 per cent reduction in the number of bags distributed in Wales, and for retailers to pass on up to £3 million to environmental and other projects.

Up to £110 will automatically be credited to the accounts of pensioners who qualify for the discount.

Cardiff Council’s Pensioner Reduction Scheme is funded by the Welsh Government. There is no need to apply for the reduction or contact the council as the money will be allocated to council tax accounts which meet the correct criteria.

To be eligible for the scheme, the person concerned must be:

*       liable to pay council tax in respect of a chargeable dwelling which was their sole or main residence on June 1, 2011

*       one of the persons liable must have reached the age of 60 or over by June       1, 2011

*       he or she must be in receipt of partial council tax benefit as at June 1, 2011

Where two or more people are jointly liable for council tax, they will be eligible for the reduction if one or all of them meet the criteria.

Following implementation of the scheme, any money remaining from the Welsh Assembly Government’s allocation to Cardiff will be used in conjunction with Age Concern. Both the council and the charity are proactively encouraging take-up of benefits in pensioner households and these funds will contribute to that scheme.

Executive Member for Finance Councillor Mark Stephens said: “I am delighted Cardiff is once again able to work with the Welsh Government to adopt the Pensioner Reduction Scheme. We are committed to giving extra help to the households most in need and the council has worked hard to ensure this is the best and most appropriate discount plan to offer.”

Carl Sargeant AM

A loan shark who preyed on a vulnerable woman has been sentenced to 18 months in jail today at Merthyr Crown Court.  He was convicted earlier this month after a week-long trial for 3 counts of unlicensed debt collecting and money lending.

Michael Rees charged the woman extortionate rates of interest on an initial loan of £500, taking up to a £1000 pounds a month including the victim’s benefit payments for the month which he collected by using her post office card.  The initial loan was £500 and she had to pay back £3000.

Rees exploited his victim by encouraging her to take out further loans including one for £1300 where the interest charged was £4800.

Police and Illegal Money Lending Unit (IMLU) officers raided his house in Tonteg and discovered the woman’s post office card as well as £48000 in cash under his bed.  The cash was thought to be profits from his illegal money lending operation and working capital.

Deputy Leader and Portfoilio member for Customer Services of Merthyr Tydfil CBC, Councillor Tony Rogers commented: ““The Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit has again shown their expertise in protecting Merthyr Tydfil residents from the threat of illegal loan sharks preying on the vulnerable. In today’s tough economic climate I would urge consumers to take expert advice from a Credit Union or the Citizens Advice Bureau instead of turning to a loan shark. Those who are currently victims of a loan shark please come forward and seek help and advice.”

Steven Hay, Operational Manager of Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit said: ‘Michael Rees’ actions were despicable and caused great upset and harm to a number of people.  Loan sharks prey on the vulnerable, if anyone needs help or knows anyone who needs help with a loan shark contact the Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit on 0300 123 3311 .’

Illegal money lenders can range from small time loan sharks to violent and organised criminals operating in Welsh communities. The Unit works throughout Wales investigating and prosecuting illegal money lenders, raising awareness off the problems associated with loan sharks and supporting victims to come forward without fear of reprisals. Since 2007, the unit has supported 113 victims and their work has led to the arrest and prosecution of 41 loans sharks.

Carl Sargeant expressed his concern at the dangers posed by loan sharks and said that he was determined to do all he could to help their victims.

“Loan sharks prey on people in desperate need of financial help” said the Minister. “They offer seemingly helpful solutions to money worries in return for unrealistic and unaffordable repayments. Victims often find they are unable to repay the extortionate interest rates and can face threats of violence unless they pay up. This Unit is doing a fantastic job of cracking down on illegal money lenders. Loan sharks should be warned that we are on their tail. The Welsh Assembly Government fully supports this drive to investigate and prosecute illegal money lenders across Wales.”

The Unit has undertaken a number of investigations leading to arrests, prosecution and often jail.  In 2009, investigations in Cardiff lead to two brothers working as loan sharks in the south Wales area being jailed. The brothers had blackmailed and kidnapped their victim over an outstanding loan payment.

In Rhondda Cynon Taf, a couple who targeted mothers at a school gate were jailed for providing illegal loans to 27 people and using threats and intimidation to extort the repayments.

Carl Sargeant had this message for anyone facing financial troubles.

“Loan sharks are dangerous people to get involved with and I urge anyone thinking of borrowing money from them to stay clear. There are realistic alternatives out there, such as credit unions, and I would encourage anyone in need of financial assistance to use these reliable sources.”

The Welsh Assembly Government supports a number of schemes that help people facing financial difficulties and also assist them in accessing affordable credit. The Housing Debt Helpline provides free telephone based counselling to anyone at risk of losing their home and helps them find long term solutions to their problems. Credit Unions offer affordable, safe and reliable saving accounts and loans and with a credit union in every part of Wales it is easier than ever to become a member.

The Unit has received over £62,000 funding from the Welsh Assembly Government.

The Cardiff North AM is the first Assembly Member to succeed in receiving approval in principle from the UK and Welsh Assembly Government for a non-government Legislative Competence Order.

If the Order is finally approved by the Assembly and Parliament it has the chance of completing its process by March 2010, which means that competence to legislate will be given to the Assembly.

The draft legislation was formally laid in the Assembly today ahead of a debate and vote by AMs next Wednesday.

Jonathan said: “Devolving powers to Wales over mental health has become something of a personal crusade.

“I have never quite understood why physical health became part of the devolved legislative remit without mental health.

“I suspect it happened this way partly because of the links between mental health and the power of the state to detain patients.

“If this legislation passes and it all works out then Wales has the chance to lead the way in mental health services reform.

“Very often our debates have been around the need for Wales to catch up with the rest of the UK and certainly services here do need to change.

“There may well be a golden opportunity to lead the rest of the UK in reforming this important service, demonstrating how devolution is not about doing things differently for the sake of it, but doing it better.”

“These reports are a matter of great concern and I am seeking assurances from the Health Minister about how this affects Wales and the Assembly Government’s immunisation plan for the under-fives.

“It is vital vulnerable groups, such as young children and the elderly, are protected from this disease. The Health Minister must explain what she plans to do to allay parents’ fears.”

Local Government Minister Brian Gibbons has revealed there are still no “definitive proposals” to deal with the impact of rates revaluation

The Assembly Government has admitted it still does not have plans in place to help businesses with rising business rates.

Following exchanges with the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly today, Local Government Minister Brian Gibbons has revealed there are still no “definitive proposals” to deal with the impact of rates revaluation, which is due to come into effect from April.

Opposition leader Nick Bourne described the admission as “hopeless” and demanded leadership from ministers.

Last week Welsh Conservatives revealed that the UK Government issued plans to raise the business rate relief threshold on 30 September. So far the Assembly Government has failed to bring forward similar proposals in Wales.

Welsh Conservatives have repeatedly called on ministers to raise the threshold, delay revaluation until at least April 2011, and introduce a scheme to scrap or reduce rates for up to 90,000 businesses.

According to the Assembly Government’s own figures, as many as 40,000 Welsh businesses could see their rates rise next spring as a result of revaluation.

Commenting on the latest ministerial statement, Nick Bourne AM said: “The Assembly Government’s response to the plight of businesses across Wales as a result of rising rates is nothing short of hopeless.

“The UK Government took steps to offset the impact of revaluation in England weeks ago yet by their own admission ministers in Cardiff still have no plans on the table for Wales.

“The Assembly Government should be taking action now to help firms across Wales during the recession.

“Revaluation should not have come as a surprise given that it happens every five years.

“How much longer have Welsh businesses got to wait for this government to help them?

“They need to know now what support is on offer so they can plan budgets for the next financial year.

“The longer ministers delay, the greater the prospect of businesses laying off staff or closing down altogether.”

Welsh Conservative Leader - Nick Bourne (right)

There are regional variations in Assembly Government help for businesses during the recession say the Assembly Conservative group.

Figures released to Opposition leader Nick Bourne following a Freedom of Information request reveals that not one penny has been paid out under the ProAct scheme to help businesses in the Conwy local authority area. But in Neath Port Talbot firms have received £2.3mn under the employee training and wage subsidy initiative.

Nick Bourne said the figures undermined Assembly Government rhetoric about supporting businesses and communities across Wales.

He added that they also highlighted the failure of Plaid Cymru, which holds the Assembly seat of Aberconwy and the economic portfolio in the Assembly Government, to lobby on behalf of local businesses.

According to official figures the unemployment rate in the Conwy Parliamentary constituency has risen from 5.3% to 8.1% between September 2008 and 2009.

An update paper for the eighth economic summit last month also reveals that of the applications for ProAct money by sector, 18 grants were awarded to hairdressers, nine times more than to the aerospace sector.

Commenting on the figures, Opposition leader Nick Bourne AM said: “The wide regional variations in ProAct funding are a matter of concern.

“We are, of course, pleased to see so many businesses in south west Wales benefiting from the scheme. But these figures expose the failure of Plaid Cymru to lobby on behalf of local businesses in Conwy who have yet to receive a penny under ProAct.

“While we have welcomed schemes like ProAct it is clear from the fact that unemployment is now at a 16-year high that they are not working to anywhere near the level we were promised.

“Wide variations in ProAct funding, coupled with the impact of business rates revaluation, means small firms in some parts of Wales will continue to be hit hard by Labour’s recession.

“We were promised Assembly Government help for businesses in every part of Wales. The evidence suggests this is far from the truth.”