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Labour to pledge cash for unions Labour's money pledge for unions
(about 1 hour later)
Labour is to unveil its first policy pledge ahead of next year's Welsh assembly elections with a commitment to the trade unions. Labour has unveiled its first policy pledge for the Welsh assembly election with a commitment to trade unions.
The party is to promise money to unions so they can modernise, and extra cash to the Wales Trade Union Learning Fund.The party is to promise money to unions so they can modernise, and extra cash to the Wales Trade Union Learning Fund.
Any policy must be approved by members at a special conference this weekend. Education Minister Jane Davidson said the fund was "remarkably successful" in encouraging its members to learn. Any policy must be approved by members at a special conference this weekend.
Opposition parties attacked the pledge, claiming the promise amounts to a "sweetener" and a "publicly-funded bribe". The opposition called it a "sweetener" and "publicly-funded bribe".
The announcement is the first sign of how Labour intends to fight the election in May 2007, when it hopes to regain the majority it won in 2003.The announcement is the first sign of how Labour intends to fight the election in May 2007, when it hopes to regain the majority it won in 2003.
Labour sources said it was in keeping with the party's intention to campaign on what it calls Welsh values.Labour sources said it was in keeping with the party's intention to campaign on what it calls Welsh values.
But Plaid Cymru's Alun Ffred Jones said any additional funding for training of Welsh workers should be welcomed, but warned the announcement could be perceived as a "sweetener". 'Necessary' funding
Ms Davidson said: "What we're saying very clearly today is whereas the '90s were about 'education, education, education,' we're turning that now to 'skills, skills, skills'.
"It's skills for adults as well as young people... and we know the [fund] is one of the most successful vehicles in doing that."
She denied it left Labour open to accusations of political favouritism, and said it was necessary to ensure the unions using the learning fund cash effectively.
Plaid Cymru's Alun Ffred Jones said any additional funding for training of Welsh workers should be welcomed, but warned the announcement could be perceived as a "sweetener".
'Massive debts''Massive debts'
Mr Jones said: "Without seeing the detailed proposal, this seems a questionable use of public money to help achieve a political end.Mr Jones said: "Without seeing the detailed proposal, this seems a questionable use of public money to help achieve a political end.
"Training paid for from the public purse should be available to all not just those affiliated to trade unions.""Training paid for from the public purse should be available to all not just those affiliated to trade unions."
Liberal Democrat AM Peter Black also described Labour's manifesto pledge as a "sweetener".Liberal Democrat AM Peter Black also described Labour's manifesto pledge as a "sweetener".
"If this is a foretaste of Labour's manifesto, then it seems clear they are intent on looking after their own," he said."If this is a foretaste of Labour's manifesto, then it seems clear they are intent on looking after their own," he said.
"Labour's priority is repaying their massive debts with a policy bung for their union backers, rather than investing in a better Wales.""Labour's priority is repaying their massive debts with a policy bung for their union backers, rather than investing in a better Wales."
Conservative Alun Cairns said the policy ranked as the "worst decision" the Welsh Assembly Government had ever taken, which the Welsh people would "never accept".Conservative Alun Cairns said the policy ranked as the "worst decision" the Welsh Assembly Government had ever taken, which the Welsh people would "never accept".
"It amounts to taxpayers' funds going to trade unions. It amounts to handing money over to their friends," he said."It amounts to taxpayers' funds going to trade unions. It amounts to handing money over to their friends," he said.