Expanding childcare is just one of the pledges Vaughan Gething has promised today in his bid to become Wales’ next First Minister.
This comes as the Welsh Government is under pressure to bring childcare into line with the UK Government.
Speaking in Wrexham, Gething says that the cost of childcare should not be holding people back.
“We will give all children in Wales a strong start, no matter their background, while also enabling parents to work or learn as they choose.
Vaughan Gething launched his manifesto
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“The cost of childcare should not be holding people back. We’re committed to expanding our offer as resources become available.”
Today at his manifesto launch the Economy Minister also pledged to tackle the existing 2,500 coal tips across Wales.
58 years after the Aberfan disaster where 116 children and 28 adults died - some coal tips are still yet to be removed and still pose a threat to thousands of people across Wales.
“No one should have to live with the entirely preventable fear and anxiety that these tips cause for families in coalfield communities. This issue should be tackled as a matter of urgency.
“It is indefensible for the Tories to argue that this is not a burden to be shared by the UK community as a whole.”
Vaughan Gething says that the cost of childcare should not be holding people back
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“I would do all I can to ensure the UK Government works with us – especially if we have a constructive Labour administration in Westminster – to bring about overdue action on unsafe coal tips, which are only likely to be made more dangerous by more frequent and intense storms.”
Wales is home to 40 per cent of the UK’s coal tips. In 2020 Storm Dennis triggered a landslip following heavy rain in Tylorstown in Rhondda Cynon Taff.
Gething’s blueprint for power says: “I would do all I can to ensure the UK Government works with us – especially if we have a constructive Labour administration in Westminster – to bring about overdue action on unsafe coal tips, which are only likely to be made more dangerous by more frequent and intense storms.”
The Economy Minister also outlined plans to push EU replacement funds into apprenticeships will boost the economy. “As First Minister I would make reinvesting in more apprenticeships my priority for EU replacement funds, which the next UK Labour Government would repatriate to Wales – a commitment I secured.”
Commenting on Labour leadership candidate, Vaughan Gething's manifesto launch, Andrew RT Davies MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said: “Gething, like Miles, seems to have forgotten he’s been in the Welsh Government for years.
"With both candidates in Government, Labour has made the choice not to replicate the Conservative offer on childcare, just like they made the choice to cut our NHS and to cut funding for apprenticeships.
“While Wales is crying out for a common sense Government which will prioritise our public services, it’s clear that what we will get is more of the same from these candidates.”
Vaughan Gething and Jeremy Miles are the two candidates to replace Mark Drakeford as Wales’ First Minister – when he steps down this Spring. Gething came second to Drakeford in 2018 at the last leadership race.
Earlier this week a row erupted between the two campaigns. Unite, Wales’ biggest trade union revealed it was backing Vaughan Gething, after dubbing Jeremy Miles’ candidacy "ineligible" over a rule change. Jeremy Miles hit back Friday evening stating this was a rule that "no-one was aware of".
Jeremy Miles is expected to launch his manifesto next week. The winning candidate that will succeed Mark Drakeford will be announced on March 16.