Julie Morgan
Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Cardiff North
SINCE 1997
For Julie’s Top 24, click here.
For a quick list, click here.
To see visual evidence of how the country has changed, click here for Changes We See.
For a printable version of this, click here. For a briefer version, click here.
NHS
In Wales:
Free prescriptions for all.
Record expenditure in the NHS.
Huge investment in new buildings and equipment – 8 new hospitals, PET scanner at UHW.
29% increase in nursing staff over 10 years. 500+ more consultants.
Free dental exams for the under-25s and over-60s.
In the UK:
44,000+ more doctors.
89,000+ more nurses.
Waiting times lowest since records began.
3 million more operations per year than in 1997.
118 new hospital building schemes opened – largest hospital building programme in history.
For more, click here.
In Wales:
Free prescriptions for all.
Record expenditure in the NHS.
Huge investment in new buildings and equipment – 8 new hospitals, PET scanner at UHW.
29% increase in nursing staff over 10 years. 500+ more consultants.
Free dental exams for the under-
In the UK:
44,000+ more doctors.
89,000+ more nurses.
Waiting times lowest since records began.
3 million more operations per year than in 1997.
118 new hospital building schemes opened – largest hospital building programme in history.
For more, click here.
CULTURE/SPORT
In Wales:
Free entry to national museums and galleries led to a 87% increase in visitors in the first year alone.
Funding and support for the Wales Millennium Centre, National Botanic Garden, Hay Festival of Literature, Faenol Festival and Brecon Jazz Festival.
£28+ million invested in direct support for the Welsh language.
Free swimming in local council pools for pensioners and also for children during the school holidays.
In the UK:
Free theatre tickets for young people.
Increased funding to culture, media and sport by £541 million – an increase of 47%.
Led the campaign to win the 2012 Olympics for London.
For more, click here.
In Wales:
Free entry to national museums and galleries led to a 87% increase in visitors in the first year alone.
Funding and support for the Wales Millennium Centre, National Botanic Garden, Hay Festival of Literature, Faenol Festival and Brecon Jazz Festival.
£28+ million invested in direct support for the Welsh language.
Free swimming in local council pools for pensioners and also for children during the school holidays.
In the UK:
Free theatre tickets for young people.
Increased funding to culture, media and sport by £541 million – an increase of 47%.
Led the campaign to win the 2012 Olympics for London.
For more, click here.
WOMEN
The Equality Bill – for details, click here.
The National Minimum Wage – two-thirds of the beneficiaries of this are women.
Increased provision for breast screening. 98% of women with breast cancer receive treatment within a month.
By 2010, 900,000 more women will accrue a state second pension.
Number of registered childcare places has doubled since 1997.
Stronger domestic abuse legislation – the Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act 2004.
Established 30 Sexual Assault Referral Centres.
HPV vaccine for cervical cancer programme.
27% of Labour MPs are women, compared to the Tories’ 9% and the Lib-Dems’ 14%.
In Wales, largely due to Labour’s twinning policy, 40% of AMs elected to the Welsh Assembly in 1999 were women. In 2003, 50% were women and in 2007, 47% of those elected were women.
For more, click here.
The Equality Bill – for details, click here.
The National Minimum Wage – two-
Increased provision for breast screening. 98% of women with breast cancer receive treatment within a month.
By 2010, 900,000 more women will accrue a state second pension.
Number of registered childcare places has doubled since 1997.
Stronger domestic abuse legislation – the Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act 2004.
Established 30 Sexual Assault Referral Centres.
HPV vaccine for cervical cancer programme.
27% of Labour MPs are women, compared to the Tories’ 9% and the Lib-
In Wales, largely due to Labour’s twinning policy, 40% of AMs elected to the Welsh Assembly in 1999 were women. In 2003, 50% were women and in 2007, 47% of those elected were women.
For more, click here.
EDUCATION
In Wales:
Introduction of the Foundation Phase for 3-7 year-olds.
47 integrated Children’s Centres.
1700+ more teachers.
5700+ more teaching assistants.
Class sizes down.
Biggest investment in school buildings in history – 1400+ projects.
Welsh Baccalaureate and Educational Maintenance Allowance launched.
Free breakfasts in 1000+ schools,
450+ Welsh medium practitioners.
Apprenticeships doubled since 1999.
9,000 more free early years places.
In the UK:
42,000+ more teachers.
212,000+ more support staff.
3,500 Sure Start centres.
For more, click here.
In Wales:
Introduction of the Foundation Phase for 3-
47 integrated Children’s Centres.
1700+ more teachers.
5700+ more teaching assistants.
Class sizes down.
Biggest investment in school buildings in history – 1400+ projects.
Welsh Baccalaureate and Educational Maintenance Allowance launched.
Free breakfasts in 1000+ schools,
450+ Welsh medium practitioners.
Apprenticeships doubled since 1999.
9,000 more free early years places.
In the UK:
42,000+ more teachers.
212,000+ more support staff.
3,500 Sure Start centres.
For more, click here.
Over the course of the last 13 years, Labour has changed the UK for the better in very many ways.
No party is perfect and we all make mistakes, but I think that this country is now radically different from the one we inherited in 1997.
Here, I’ve listed some of what I think are Labour’s most important achievements in the UK in general and Wales in particular (where devolution has had an effect).
Instead of just saying that a lot has changed, I’d like to offer these as some specific and concrete examples of how the country has been transformed.
I think it’s worth saying that these things haven’t ‘just happened’ – they have been the result of Labour policies.
WORK
Instituted the National Minimum Wage in 1999 – has risen 22% in real terms since 1999.
Instituted the right to 4 weeks paid holiday.
New Deal has helped 2.2 million people into work.
The right to two weeks paternity leave introduced.
Extended maternity leave –it has increased to 39 weeks from only 14 in 1997 and will go up to 52 weeks. Maternity pay doubled.
Introduced a new right to request flexible working.
Even with the recession, 98,000 more jobs in Wales today than in 1997. Long-term unemployment 40% lower.
Part-time workers have the same rights as full-time workers.
Instituted the National Minimum Wage in 1999 – has risen 22% in real terms since 1999.
Instituted the right to 4 weeks paid holiday.
New Deal has helped 2.2 million people into work.
The right to two weeks paternity leave introduced.
Extended maternity leave –it has increased to 39 weeks from only 14 in 1997 and will go up to 52 weeks. Maternity pay doubled.
Introduced a new right to request flexible working.
Even with the recession, 98,000 more jobs in Wales today than in 1997. Long-
Part-
CHILDREN
Child Benefit has almost doubled – up from 1997’s £11.05 to £20.30 for your first child and up from £9 to £13.40 for other children
500,000 children have been lifted out of relative poverty – Child Poverty Bill will help eradicate child poverty by 2020.
Child Trust Funds – 4.8 million have been created.
9 out of 10 families with children receive tax credits.
Free school milk for 5, 6 and 7-year-olds in Wales.
Establishment of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales.
Child Benefit has almost doubled – up from 1997’s £11.05 to £20.30 for your first child and up from £9 to £13.40 for other children
500,000 children have been lifted out of relative poverty – Child Poverty Bill will help eradicate child poverty by 2020.
Child Trust Funds – 4.8 million have been created.
9 out of 10 families with children receive tax credits.
Free school milk for 5, 6 and 7-
Establishment of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales.
ANIMAL WELFARE
Banned hunting with dogs – David Cameron opposes the ban and if elected, is committed to giving MPs a free vote to repeal it.
Banned fur farming in England and Wales.
Since 1997, no great apes have been used in experiments in the UK.
Banned testing on animals for cosmetics.
Got the EU to agree to classify farm animals as sentient beings, not agricultural products.
Implemented the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997.
Led EU to ban drift nets on the high seas to protect dolphins.
For more, click here or here.
Banned hunting with dogs – David Cameron opposes the ban and if elected, is committed to giving MPs a free vote to repeal it.
Banned fur farming in England and Wales.
Since 1997, no great apes have been used in experiments in the UK.
Banned testing on animals for cosmetics.
Got the EU to agree to classify farm animals as sentient beings, not agricultural products.
Implemented the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997.
Led EU to ban drift nets on the high seas to protect dolphins.
For more, click here or here.
OLDER PEOPLE
Winter Fuel Payment of £250 for the over-60s and £400 for the over-80s – 12 million pensioners benefit from this – 690,000 pensioner households in Wales.
Free bus passes for over 60s and disabled people.
900,000 pensioners lifted out of poverty.
Free TV licences for the over-75s.
Pension Credit – 164,030 Welsh pensioners helped.
Establishment of the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales.
Basic state pension has risen 12% above earnings.
Will restore the link between pensions and earnings in 2012.
Winter Fuel Payment of £250 for the over-
Free bus passes for over 60s and disabled people.
900,000 pensioners lifted out of poverty.
Free TV licences for the over-
Pension Credit – 164,030 Welsh pensioners helped.
Establishment of the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales.
Basic state pension has risen 12% above earnings.
Will restore the link between pensions and earnings in 2012.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Tripled Overseas Aid budget.
Commitment to 0.7% of GNI for development assistance from 2013.
Helped an estimated 3 million people out of poverty every year.
Cancelled up to 100 per cent of debt for the world’s poorest countries.
UK became the second largest donor in global fight against HIV and AIDS.
Commitment to fair and ethical trade.
Wales for Africa Fund.
Wales will celebrate two years as a Fair Trade Nation in June 2010.
For more, click here.
Tripled Overseas Aid budget.
Commitment to 0.7% of GNI for development assistance from 2013.
Helped an estimated 3 million people out of poverty every year.
Cancelled up to 100 per cent of debt for the world’s poorest countries.
UK became the second largest donor in global fight against HIV and AIDS.
Commitment to fair and ethical trade.
Wales for Africa Fund.
Wales will celebrate two years as a Fair Trade Nation in June 2010.
For more, click here.
CLIMATE CHANGE
2008 Climate Change Act made the UK the first country to put its carbon targets into law.
Greenhouse gas emissions now 21% below 1990s levels – beating Kyoto target.
£1.5 billion on climate assistance to developing countries between 2010-12.
4 eco town projects in development.
For more, click here.
2008 Climate Change Act made the UK the first country to put its carbon targets into law.
Greenhouse gas emissions now 21% below 1990s levels – beating Kyoto target.
£1.5 billion on climate assistance to developing countries between 2010-
4 eco town projects in development.
For more, click here.
SMOKING BAN
The whole of the UK is now smoke-free with a ban on smoking in all enclosed public places.
This was instituted in Wales and England in 2007.
For more on Public Health, click here.
The whole of the UK is now smoke-
This was instituted in Wales and England in 2007.
For more on Public Health, click here.
CRIME
Overall crime is down 36%; domestic burglary is down 54%; vehicle related crime is down 57%; and violent crime is down 41%.
663 more Police Officers and 600 new Police Community Support Officers in Wales.
Neighbourhood Policing Teams in every part of Wales.
Overall crime is down 36%; domestic burglary is down 54%; vehicle related crime is down 57%; and violent crime is down 41%.
663 more Police Officers and 600 new Police Community Support Officers in Wales.
Neighbourhood Policing Teams in every part of Wales.
GAY RIGHTS
Introduced Civil Partnerships.
Repealed Section 28.
Equalised the age of consent.
Banned discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in goods, facilities, services and public functions in 2007.
Lifted the ban on lesbians and gay men serving in the armed forces.
Adoption rights granted.
Introduced Civil Partnerships.
Repealed Section 28.
Equalised the age of consent.
Banned discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in goods, facilities, services and public functions in 2007.
Lifted the ban on lesbians and gay men serving in the armed forces.
Adoption rights granted.
BLACK and MINORITY ETHNIC COMMUNITIES
Established the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in 2007 to act as a strong independent champion to tackle discrimination and promote equality.
Put race equality at the core of primary care services through the ‘Race for Health’ programme.
Introduced the Race Equality Duty in 2000 which applied to over 43,000 public bodies, improving the diversity of their
workforce and the services they provide.
For more, click here.
Established the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in 2007 to act as a strong independent champion to tackle discrimination and promote equality.
Put race equality at the core of primary care services through the ‘Race for Health’ programme.
Introduced the Race Equality Duty in 2000 which applied to over 43,000 public bodies, improving the diversity of their
workforce and the services they provide.
For more, click here.
DISABILITY RIGHTS
New rights for disabled people through the Disability Discrimination Act.
Signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
In the UK, a total of £770 million in new funding for local authorities and PCTs to support disabled children and their families.
Free bus travel for disabled people.
For more, click here.
New rights for disabled people through the Disability Discrimination Act.
Signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
In the UK, a total of £770 million in new funding for local authorities and PCTs to support disabled children and their families.
Free bus travel for disabled people.
For more, click here.
DEVOLUTION
The creation of the National Assembly for Wales, the Scottish Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The creation of the National Assembly for Wales, the Scottish Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly.
IMMIGRATION
New Australian-style points-based immigration system.
By 2011, UKBA should review and decide 90% of asylum cases within six months.
Earned Citizenship Programme.
New Australian-
By 2011, UKBA should review and decide 90% of asylum cases within six months.
Earned Citizenship Programme.
HOUSE OF LORDS REFORM
The removal of all but 92 hereditary peers from the House of Lords as the first step in ongoing House of Lords reform.
The removal of all but 92 hereditary peers from the House of Lords as the first step in ongoing House of Lords reform.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
The Freedom of Information Act providing for a statutory right of access to government information.
The Freedom of Information Act providing for a statutory right of access to government information.
NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE PROCESS
The historic 1998 Good Friday Agreement and the 2010 Hillsborough Castle Agreement. – securing a lasting peace for Northern Ireland.
The historic 1998 Good Friday Agreement and the 2010 Hillsborough Castle Agreement. – securing a lasting peace for Northern Ireland.
HOMELESSNESS
Homelessness is at its lowest levels since early 1980s.
Rough sleeping has dropped by two-thirds.
Homelessness is at its lowest levels since early 1980s.
Rough sleeping has dropped by two-
TRANSPORT
£1bn electrification scheme planned for faster rail link from Swansea to London.
In the UK, investment in local transport, such as roads, has more than doubled since 1997.
£1bn electrification scheme planned for faster rail link from Swansea to London.
In the UK, investment in local transport, such as roads, has more than doubled since 1997.
HOUSING
Guaranteed housing standards for council or housing association tenants.
Embarking upon biggest council house building scheme for two decades.
Guaranteed housing standards for council or housing association tenants.
Embarking upon biggest council house building scheme for two decades.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CHANGES