Welsh election: Climate change 'at heart' of Green Party manifesto

The party says it will build 12,000 homes to the highest environmental standards

Tackling climate change and restoring nature is "at the heart" of Wales' Green Party policy, the party has said.

Launching its manifesto for the Senedd election, in Newport, the party said it would "transform Wales" by building 12,000 homes to the highest environmental standards.

Wales Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter said winning a seat in the Senedd "feels closer than it ever has before".

Voters go to the polls on 6 May.

The Greens are promising to launch a transformation fund to invest in local communities, creating "thousands" of green jobs.

The party also pledges to widen access to further education, ensuring that students do not pay fees for first degrees and will offer electronic devices to all children who need to learn from home.

It also said it would move to a "community model" for healthcare, which would allow people to receive the care they need locally.

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On personal finance, the party said it would "ensure basic financial security" for all by implementing a universal basic income.

Since the start of devolution, in 1999, the Greens have never won a seat in Cardiff Bay.

However Mr Slaughter said it was "dawning" on people that the party has the "solutions".

Speaking at the manifesto launch, on Tuesday, Mr Slaughter said: "There's been a shift.

"[Winning a seat] feels closer that it ever has before.

"This year of the pandemic has made people aware of how our society works, the failings of our society and the changes that are needed."

WALES ELECTION: THE BASICS

What elections are happening? On 6 May, people across Wales will vote to elect 60 Members of the Senedd (MSs). The party or parties that can command the support of a majority of members will form the Welsh government. Find out more here.

What powers does the Welsh Parliament have? MSs pass laws on many aspects of day-to-day life in Wales, such as health, education and transport. They also have control over some taxes. Defence, foreign policy and immigration are decided by the UK Parliament.

How do I vote? Anyone who lives in Wales and is registered to vote is eligible, so long as they are aged 16 or over on the day of the election. You can register to vote online.

Anthony Slaughter (R) said the party's manifesto "sets out a bold but achievable plan"

Other key pledges include:

• Protecting the NHS as a free service, with a more joined up approach to health and social care

• Promoting the use of Welsh to safeguard and create bilingual communities

• Encouraging good health and access to green space

• More local decision making and an "effective Welsh government that listens"

• Creating better, affordable, cleaner transport options, including access to better walking and cycling options and affordable public transport

• Net zero carbon emissions by 2030, replacing fossil fuels with onshore and offshore renewable energy and making necessary upgrades to the electricity grid.

Mr Slaughter said the party's manifesto "recognises the urgency of the crises we're facing: the climate emergency, the nature crisis, financial insecurity".

"We need change and we need change at a radical speed, and we're the only party offering the level of change at the speed needed to tackle these crises."

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