Labour promises free breakfasts for all children in Wales

Poverty, social deprivation and poor health are key themes for
the major political parties in Wales in the run-up to Welsh
assembly elections next Thursday, writes Alex
Dobson.

Labour is promising free prescriptions, free breakfasts for all
primary school children and the end of home care charges for the
disabled, as well as the appointment of a commissioner for older
people with a similar brief to the Welsh children’s
commissioner. If elected, the party has also pledged to abolish all
prescription charges, at an estimated cost of £31 million a
year.

Plaid Cymru says it would carry out an immediate audit of NHS
capacity in Wales, and draw up a ‘national capacity plan’ with
goals for more doctors and nurses. The party said the emphasis
would be placed on primary care with the offer of an attractive
package to encourage GPs to serve in under-privileged areas.

Welsh Liberal Democrats would introduce free personal care to
those who need it, and they would work to encourage social
services, local health boards and voluntary organisations to work
together to tackle delayed transfers of care.
 
The Welsh Conservatives said they would target health spending at
recruiting extra doctors, nurses and therapists, and a
children’s hospital for Wales would be fully funded. There
would also be additional investment in mental health and pain
clinics.