Ten tit bits

I will allow myself some useful propoganda explaining 10 facts on how Wales has changed for the better since 1997, they are:

Fact One: Today there are 8,000 more qualified nurses and 500 more consultants working for the NHS and helping to cut waiting times and treat more patients than in 1997.

Fact Two: In 1997 capital investment in the NHS was £100 million and falling. Today it is £300 million and rising. (giving us new facilities at Ysbyty Gwynedd)

Fact Three: Under the Tories 70 hospitals were closed. Today in Wales seven new hospitals have been built or are on the way. (have you been to Tremadog to see the new hospital under construction ?)

Fact Four: In 1997, 37 per cent (and rising) of Welsh children lived in poverty. Today, Labour action has helped to cut that to 17 per cent (and falling). (and we are pledging to go further)

Fact Five: In 1997 there were no Police Community Support Officers in Wales helping to cut anti-social behaviour. Today there are nearly 400 – and rising.

Fact Six: Today in Wales there are nearly 1,000 more police officers than in 1997. This has helped to slash crime rates in Wales by over 30 per cent. Under the Tories recorded crime doubled.

Fact Seven: Since 1997 unemployment in Wales has been halved – with 40,000 people helped off the dole and into work. The Tories gave Wales the two worst recessions since the war. Labour has delivered record prosperity and stability.

Fact Eight: In 1997 there were 16,760 young people in long term unemployment. Today there are just over 3,040 – a fall of 82 per cent.

Fact Nine: Under the Tories class sizes rose. When they left office more than 30 per cent of infant and junior classes had thirty or more pupils. Thanks to Labour investment today there are virtually no infant and junior classes with more than 30 pupils.

Fact Ten: In the last year of Tory government average council tax increased by 18 per cent. In 2007 the average increase will be less than 5 per cent.