Plaid : Raise alcohol price to save the traditional pub

Minimum pricing on alcohol should be introduced to save local traditional pubs says Plaid AM Helen Mary Jones and Myfanwy Davies, Plaid's Parliamentary Candidate for LLanelli.

Myfanwy and Helen Mary want to see the introduction of minimum pricing on alcohol to help traditional pubs in their battle against cheap supermarket offers. As well as helping the troubled pub industry, they believe that raising the price of cheap alcohol would help deter youngsters from binge drinking and reduce crime levels.

Many local landlords have been raising their concerns with Helen Mary and Myfanwy, and the difficulties they’re facing as they fight to compete with the low alcohol prices in supermarkets.

Both Helen Mary and Myfanwy have welcomed recommendations in a recent report by the House of Commons Health Committee to introduce a minimum price for alcohol. Other recommendations included restrictions on advertising visible to children and a ban on alcohol ads on social networking websites.

Plaid’s Helen Mary and Myfanwy will be sending out a questionnaire in the next few weeks to all the pubs within the Llanelli constituency, asking if they’d like to see the introduction of minimum pricing on alcohol.


Plaid‘s Helen Mary Jones said:

"There is very strong evidence from the British Medical Association, amongst others, that introducing a minimum price on alcohol can make a real difference in tackling the binge drinking culture.

The current culture of low prices in supermarkets is also very bad for our community pubs who can’t compete on prices, and who often find themselves in a situation where customers will have had a lot to drink before they arrive at the pub, and then responsible landlords might even be in a position of feeling that they can’t serve them.

We’re going to be surveying all pubs in the Llanelli area to find out their views on a minimum price for alcohol, and other steps that they’d like to see Government in Cardiff or London taking to support their businesses.

The community pub has an important role to play and we’ve lost too many of them in recent years. I want to see what we can do to support the community pubs that we have left here in the Llanelli area, and to help ensure that they have a prosperous future.”


Myfanwy added:


"We are seeing worryingly high levels of alcoholism in Llanelli as people tend to drink more on their own at home and tend to buy much stronger drinks than they would have in the past. It is so easy to buy very cheap vodka and other spirits from supermarkets and the low cost encourages people to drink much more as they 'frontload' or drink before going out for the evening.

Neighbourhood pubs can play a very important role in helping people drink responsibly because they are about more than just drinking. They are places to meet and for older people in particular they offer company and social support.

We know that our neighbourhood pubs are facing a very difficult time and we want to be able to offer them practical help.”

Helen Mary and Myfanwy enjoy World Biggest Coffee Morning with Macmillan

Last Friday (25/0), local AM Helen Mary Jones and Myfanwy Davies showed their support for Macmillan Cancer support by visiting a coffee morning in Lakefield School, Llanelli. They joined pupils, parents and teachers as part of Macmillan’s World Biggest Coffee Morning.

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is Macmillan Cancer Support’s biggest and best known annual fund raiser. It has a simple yet compelling objective: share a cup of coffee and raise funds for the fight against cancer. These funds provide practical, medical, emotional and financial support for better cancer care.

Last year, thousands of coffee mornings were held all over Wales, raising nearly £290,000. This money helped Macmillan continue to support services and professionals working to help people affected by cancer across Wales.

Plaid's Helen Mary Jones said:

"In the UK today 2 million people are affected by cancer. I know that many of my constituents have personal experience of the problems a cancer diagnosis can bring to both patients and their family. Macmillan Cancer Support is there for people from the moment they are diagnosed, with really practical help and support. Holding a coffee morning is an easy way to make sure Macmillan has the money to continue its vital work and I hope lots of coffee was consumed today in Llanelli!”

Plaid’s Westminster candidate for Llanelli, Myfanwy Davies added:

"I know from my own family's experience how devastating a diagnosis of cancer can be and what a huge difference a Macmillan nurse can make in so many ways. I was delighted to be able to join in the fun today at Lakefield school. It is amazing that just enjoying a cup of coffee and catching up with friends can improve things so much for people affected by cancer.”

Rhian Kenny, teacher and organiser of The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning at Lakefield School said:

“We are delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile cause that helps so many people in Llanelli. In addition, it is fantastic that we can use fair-trade products at our coffee morning and bring together the great work that both Macmillan and Fair-Trade do. We believe that education outside the classroom but within the school, is a brilliant way to raise the children’s awareness of such great causes and of the wonderful work that is done within the local community.”

Fundraising Manager for South West Wales, Sue Reece said:

“The help we provide people with cancer is absolutely essential. We want to be able to give support to everyone who needs it and that’s why we need to raise more from this year’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning than ever before. It’s a really fun event that is so easy to take part in, especially as you can tailor it to suit yourself, in fact it’s a piece of cake to help Macmillan!”

Myfanwy asks Health Minister for specialist treatment for injured Gaza children

Dr. Myfanwy Davies Plaid’s Parliamentary candidate for Llanelli has written to Assembly Health Minister Mrs Edwina Hart backing calls for seriously injured Gaza children to be evacuated to Wales for specialist treatment.

Health facilities in Gaza have been under severe strain for the past year as a result of a blockade. During the past month they have been directly targeted further limiting the care they can offer to injured children.

Writing to the Minister, Dr Davies drew attention to the EU proposal to coordinate the medical evacuation of children by member states. Dr. Davies also noted that other countries including Cyprus, Luxembourg and Greece have already offered support.

Speaking on Sunday, Dr. Davies said:

“In Wales we have a proud tradition of offering help to people from other countries who are facing exceptionally difficult circumstances. We know that medical care in Gaza is completely unable to cope and I am asking the Minister to make available places in specialist units like the burns unit at Morriston for those children most badly injured by the recent air-strikes.”