Newport West AM Rosemary Butler has described the tenth anniversary of Welsh devolution as an historical landmark which is of tremendous importance to everybody in Newport

She said that ten years on, Newport was a better place in which to live thanks to the Welsh Assembly.

The benefits of devolution since the 'Yes' vote ten years ago include:

• 140,000 more jobs in Wales. Unemployment in Wales is now lower  than the UK average, with Newport West in particular benefiting from a major influx of  public and private sector jobs.

• The regeneration of Newport City Centre thanks to a successful partnership between the Assembly and Newport City Council.
• Free NHS prescriptions for all.
• Free bus passes for 36,367 pensioners and the disabled in Newport.
• 1431  homes in Newport West have been helped to stay warm and save energy thanks to grants of more than £1m.
• Free swimming for older people all year round, and for schoolchildren in the school  holidays.
• Free entry to museums and galleries
• Doubling investment in the Welsh NHS, including 8,000 more nurses and shorter waiting times.
• £630m spent on improving school buildings in Wales along with 1,700 more teachers.

Rosemary Butler said:

''Devolution was rejected by a majority of people in Newport ten years ago, but I felt at the time - and feel even more strongly now - that we have gained enormously.

"Local people are really benefiting from Wales' free bus passes, the warmer homes grants, free prescriptions and a tremendous improvement in employment."

Tuesday, September 18