Latest news / Newyddion diweddaraf

Next stop, better bus services!

24/9/2025

Plans for a bus service in Gower that puts community and passenger needs first, took another important step forward in the Senedd.

The Bus Services (Wales) Bill sets out a vision for a modern, joined-up approach to public transport with one network, one timetable and one ticket accepted on buses and trains across the country.

The general principles of the Bill were agreed in the same month that £1 bus travel for 16-21 year olds across the country.

The Bill will now be subject to detailed scrutiny in the Senedd over the coming months.

Rebecca Evans MS said: “Buses are absolutely vital for connecting people across Gower and beyond. For a bus service to work for my constituents, it must be reliable, affordable, easy to access and to use. I’m pleased to see that, if passed, the new proposals will achieve that.

“Welsh Labour have always been proactive in tackling barriers of connectivity to the communities that need it most- we were the first UK nation to introduce free bus fares for older people and disabled people, 23 years ago. I’m proud that we are now implementing £1 bus fares for younger people.

“The Bus Services (Wales) Bill will break down barriers to transport for those living in rural areas where accessing public transport has traditionally been tricky and left people isolated.

“This is also about presenting a realistic option for people who want to be greener in their travelling. We know that many people want to be more environmentally conscious but need a public
transport service which is reliable, efficient and affordable to confidently make that switch for their time sensitive journeys such as getting to a medical appointment or travelling to work or school. I am hopeful this bill is the answer to this.”

The Welsh Government Minister for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates said: "This bill will take bus services back into public control. A planned and co-ordinated bus network will deliver more services, better value for taxpayers and better enable people to get to where they want to, when they need to.

The current deregulated system was introduced in the Thatcher years of the 1980s. The bus market is failing, with an ongoing decline in bus services and passenger trips. Services are fragmented, overpriced and designed to deliver profits for bus companies. This has resulted in progressively fewer bus trips in Wales.

“Welsh Labour has commenced the journey of transforming public transport in Wales with a £1.1bn investment in the core valley lines, enabling the South Wales Metro alongside an £800 million investment in new trains which is increasing capacity on Welsh trains by over 80%.
Traws Cymru bus services are modelling how planned services on new, accessible and low-emission buses can provide better and growing bus services.

“Revitalising and modernising public transport is essential to enabling people to access jobs, friendship, shops and health services.
Buses are the senior service in public transport, carrying 75% of passengers on public transport and touching communities in all parts of Wales."

Families across Gower urged to check eligibility for help with school essentials

14/7/2025

Local Welsh Labour Member of the Senedd, Rebecca Evans MS, is urging families across Gower to check if they may be entitled to up to £200 per child, to help meet the cost of school essentials.

The Welsh Labour Government’s School Essentials Grant helps families on lower incomes who qualify for certain benefits with the cost of essentials such as uniforms, shoes, bags and activities.

Rebecca Evans MS said:

“As families continue to face cost of living pressures, it’s great to know that help is at hand to ensure that every child has access to the uniforms, books and equipment they need to learn.

“This grant continues to be a vital source of support for families across Gower, and I would encourage everyone who may be eligible to check at https://www.gov.wales/school-essentials-grant-help-school-costs, or by contacting my office for further advice at [email protected].”

Eligible families can apply for a grant of £125 per child, per year. Families with children entering year 7 can apply for £200 to help with increased costs associated with starting secondary school. All looked after children qualify for the grant. Schools also receive additional funding as a result of claiming this grant.

Applications are now open for this year’s grant and close on 31st May 2026.

SWANSEA MS’S WELCOME INCREASE IN EDUCATION MAINTENACE ALLOWANCE

29/1/2025

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), designed to support 16 to 18-year-olds from eligible households with further education costs such as transport or meals, will be going up to £40 a week. The household income threshold will also be increasing, meaning more families will benefit.
In Swansea, for the Academic Year 2022/2023, over 1, 270 young people had approved applications for the Grant.

Rebecca Evans MS, Member of the Senedd for Gower, said:
“Whilst the EMA was scrapped under the Tories in England in 2011, the Labour Welsh Government has continued to prioritise helping post-16 learners to continue studying academic or vocational courses. Helping young people to stay in education and achieve their potential is one of the best investments we can make.”

Wales has the most generous EMA offer in the whole of the UK at £40/week, contrasting with no EMA in England, and an offer of £30/week in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Mike Hedges MS, Member of the Senedd for Swansea East said:
“My experience as a college lecturer is that, without EMA, many students would not have been able to undertake their studies. Many more, driven by their family’s economic circumstances have had to drop out. Many of my former students ended up in well-paid ICT jobs, helping both them and the economy.”

There are currently around 16,000 learners in Wales in receipt of EMA.

Julie James MS, Member of the Senedd for Swansea West, added:
“EMA highlights our commitment to supporting young people in their pursuit of education. This vital financial support empowers students to focus on their studies without the burden of financial barriers, demonstrating the Welsh Labour Government’s dedication to ensuring equal opportunities for all. In Swansea West, I’ve seen firsthand how EMA helps our young learners thrive and build brighter futures, and I am proud that we continue to lead the way in supporting our young people.”

The increase will begin at the start of the new academic year, September 2025, and will see an extra 3,500 students benefit

MS welcomes the stability Advance Payments Scheme will bring farmers

17/10/2024

Rebecca Evans MS, Member of the Senedd for Gower, has welcomed the announcement that 229 farmers in Swansea, have received £2,046,047.09 thanks to the Welsh Government’s Basic Payments Scheme (BPS).

The advanced payments, which has so far seen £157.8M paid out to over 15,000 Welsh farm businesses, aims to provide reassurances to the farming community for the year ahead.

96% of claimants received a BPS advance this week and Rural Payments Wales continues to work hard to make full and remaining balance BPS 2024 payments by December 12th.

Rebecca Evans MS said: “It is vital that farmers and their families feel heard and supported as we work together to achieve a sustainable future of farming for our next generation.

“I’ve seen first-hand the incredible work of farmers in Gower, and I recognise the contribution they make to food production, land management, our economy and communities.

“I hope this advance payment brings farming families and business reassurance for the year ahead, as we continue to work towards the Sustainable Farming Scheme.”

“Your business could be eligible for up to £10,000” - Gower MS

10/6/2024

The new £20million Future Proofing Fund from the Welsh Government will help up to 2,500 micro, small and medium sized business across Wales.

The funding will be available to the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors and is focused on helping businesses to reduce their running costs.

Rebecca Evans MS said:

“I want to see all our micro, small and medium businesses in Gower thrive.

“This grant can help businesses keep their bills down so that they can focus their time and energy on their staff, profits and ideas.

“I would encourage all businesses owners to find out if they’re eligible.”

Applications are now open and grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 are available to businesses in Wales which meet the criteria.

Find out if your businesses is eligible here

Gower MS meets the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community at the Senedd

3/6/2024

Member of the Senedd for Gower, Rebecca Evans MS, has attended an ‘Introduction to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’ event at the Senedd.

Rebecca Evans said: “ I was grateful for the opportunity to attend this very interesting event. It was a wonderful chance to talk to people and to better understand their faith.”

Also at the event was a display of many translations of the Quran.

Rebecca Evans said: “It was wonderful to see such a large number of translations of the Quran.

“There is yet to be a full Welsh translation. However, I know that Sketty Mosque and the University of Wales Trinity St David, Swansea University, and the Muslim Council of Wales are working on an exciting project to publish a first Welsh language version by the end of 2030.”

Gower MS encourages constituents to Talk Pants

5/2/2024

Rebecca Evans MS, Member of the Senedd for Gower, has joined the NSPCC’s campaign to Talk Pants to help children recognise what abuse is and how to speak up if anything doesn’t feel right.

Rebecca MS said: “I am pleased to join the Talk Pants campaign. It is aimed at parents and carers of children aged 3-11, giving adults advice on how to talk to children in an age-appropriate way about sexual abuse. We know that simple conversations can make a big difference, and that’s what the Talk Pants campaign is all about.”

Resources which can be found on the NSPCC website

Grant that helped 7774 of children in Swansea last year, now open

24/10/2023

The School Essentials Grant can provide up to £200 to help families on lower incomes with essentials such as school uniforms, shoes, bags and school activities.

Last year, the grant helped 100,055 children across Wales.

Member of the Senedd for Gower, Rebecca Evans MS said:

“I know that during the cost of living crisis, many families will be anxious about making sure children have all they need.

This grant can help children with some of the barriers to attending and feeling comfortable in school, as well as taking part in activities with their friends.

‘With the colder months approaching, the grant can help with essential clothing items, such as coats or shoes.”

The grant is currently open and will close on 31st May 2024. Families should check with their local authority if they are eligible to apply for support.

GOWER MS Welcomes Investment in Local Project

22/8/2023

Gower Member of the Senedd, Rebecca Evans MS has welcomed the Welsh Government announcement that Rhossili Public Toilets, will see refurbishment and access improvements to the sum of £160,000, benefiting from the Brilliant Basics capital fund.

The £5 million fund for 2023-2025 is being shared between 29 projects across Wales, supporting local authorities and national parks to develop and improve areas seeing increased tourism.

The funding will help projects to improve accessibility and make the destinations more environmentally sustainable.

Rebecca Evans MS said:
“It is good to see Rhossili Public Toilets being recognised as a space that deserves investment.

“They are a vital resource for the community, and those who visit this wonderful area, and these improvements will have a positive impact for those who use them.”

Gower MS welcomes 24 hours helpline for Neurodivergent conditions

17/5/2023

Rebecca Evans MS, Member of the Senedd for Gower, has welcomed the Welsh Labour Government’s announcement that families and people living with autism and other neurodivergent conditions can now access 24 hour support and advice.

The helpline is being delivered via an expansion of the Community Advice Listening Line (C.A.L.L), with its skilled and experienced staff receiving additional training on neurodivergence from the National Autism Team.

Mrs Evans added: “The initiative forms part of Welsh Government efforts to deliver on its Programme for Government commitment to improve services and support for neurodivergent people.

“The helpline will provide a safe space to talk about your struggles where someone will listen, without judgment. I hope that the positive impact this will have on the families and the individuals living with neurodivergent conditions will be significant.”

C.A.L.L Helpline Manager Luke Ogden said: “We are pleased to be able to offer support to more people in Wales including those living with neurodivergent conditions, their families and friends. By having the training, provided by the National Autism Team, we will be offering a more inclusive service.

“The helpline can offer emotional support to anyone living in Wales, can provide information on services across the country, and can provide literature on a range of subjects, to those who request it.”

The listening line can be accessed by calling 0800 132 737 or texting ‘Help’ to 81066. For more information visit callhelpline.org.uk

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