17/10/2012 BBC Wales Today

Welcome to Wales Today. Tonight, the inquiry that says

thousands of families here stand to lose out under changes to

disability benefits. Anita Davies is registered blind and has two

disabled children. She fears she could end up hundreds of pounds out

Also tonight., four children from Llanelli who went missing with

The search for April Jones - the Prime Minister praises the people

of Machynlleth. We have seen a whole community come

together not just in grief but action to help his family, and it

is a huge credit to everyone involved.

Wales say they've made progress despite a third defeat in four

matches. And the seven-year-old who's forced

the First Minister into action to improve this memorial.

We were coming from a rugby match, and we went to see the memorial,

and the place was a terrible mess. Wales has the highest percentage of

disability related benefit claimants in the UK, but many of

them stand to be worse off under changes proposed by the Westminster

Government. It wants to merge a variety of benefits into a single

universal credit, but an inquiry led by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson

claims that'll mean families risk losing �28-�40 a week. The

Department for Work and Pensions says the report is selective and no

one will lose cash when Universal Credit is introduced.

The proposed disability benefit changes are worrying for the Davies

family from Bridgend. Mum Anita works part-time and Richard --

registered blind. Along with their partner she also looks after her

two children, Daisy, who is partially sighted, and her son who

needs a wheelchair outside the house. With three people with

disabilities, a reduction in benefits will hit the family budget

hard. It is worrying because if I don't

get a higher rate allowance, I will lose my mobility car, which is what

my partner uses to get back and forth and I used to get to work. We

use it to get the shopping. We Wales has the highest proportion

of claimants for disability allowances in the UK. The latest

figures show 175,000 people in Wales on some kind of a capacity

benefit. That is 9.2 per cent of the population, significantly

higher than the UK figure of 6.5 per cent. In Neath Port Talbot,

where they have a particularly high number of claimants, it is causing

concern. The welfare rights department has

been receiving requests to give talks to service users and

professionals to try and prepare them for what will happen over the

next year or so, and I think what makes it even more confusing is

that when the new benefits are first introduced, they will be for

new claimants only. A report into the changes led by

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has found that many families will be

between �28.40 pounds a week worse off.

His right to simplify the system, but I think what has happened is

that a few people have slipped through the net and will lose out.

The real fear is that rather than saving money it will push costs to

local authorities or other areas and ultimately cost the country

more in the long run. It is feared that children in

particular will lose out. It is important that the Welsh

Government liaises and says so the UK Government that the welfare of

reform agenda is disproportionately hitting children in Wales. They

must also did -- that they must do that but must also look at the way

they fund education, health services, play and other

opportunities for children to mitigate the impact of welfare

reform. The Davises still don't know what

impact the change will have on them personally, but they are bracing

themselves for a future with less money to spend at a time when

living costs are rising. The Department for a convention's says

the report is highly selective and no one will lose cash when

Universal Credit is introduced. Erika Helps is from Citizens Advice

Cymru, one of the organisations which helped compile the report.

What will be universal credit mean for those claiming incapacity

benefit here? It will mean a transition to the

benefit which will take into account your housing costs and

living costs in one benefit, but essentially for many people it will

mean a reduction in the weekly income they receive. That's not

what the government is saying, they will sit -- are saying people will

not lose out and it will be a simpler system.

A welcome the simplicity of any benefit situation, which can be

complex to claim at the moment, but I think the reality is that whilst

people might be protected in the long -- in the short term, overall

they will see a reduction in income, and benefits might be redistributed

but some people will certainly lose out.

Your organisation deals with people who are struggling every single day.

From what you see, what are people telling you, how do you think they

will cope with changes? I think people are very worried

because at the moment they don't have enough detail to understand

how it will affect their personal situations. We have a number of

people approaching has already trying to estimate how much the

cost will impact on them. So clearly concerns, then. The

report urges a rethink on the welfare reforms. From what Baroness

Tanni Grey-Thompson said, not major changes, so what you think should

happen? We have been contacted today, for

example, by somebody frightened they will lose their severe

disability premium that they currently receive. They are worried

they will not be able to pay for the care they need, and instead of

transferring the cost to social services, that change could be cost

neutral if the report's recommendations were followed.

Erika Helps, thank you. A mother and her four children who

went missing from Llanelli yesterday have been found safe and

well in Blackwood in Caerphilly County this morning. The children

are involved in a custody battle between their estranged parents.

Our Swansea reporter, James Williams, is at Llanelli Police

Station for us tonight. What happened today?

As you said, it was at 11am this morning that Jennifer Jones, a 46-

year-old teacher from Llanelli, and her four children were found safely

in Caerphilly County, less than 24 hours since a nationwide search was

launched to find them. It is understood that this evening, at

the four children, aged between 8 and 14, are staying in or -- foster

home under the care of social workers until they are very up --

we united by their Spanish father, a 52-year-old who lives in May

Yorker, who will make arrangements to be reunited with them. Speaking

on behalf of the father, a barrister and a High Court said

today that he had been deeply disturbed by the events of the last

few days but was overjoyed that the children were safe and well. I have

also spoken to a friend of Jenifer Jones and John Williams, who said

this was a natural actor the mother desperate to keep the family

together. Reminders of the background to this

case. The four children at the centre of

this tug-of-love story, a custody battle between their mother and her

estranged husband, they are in the care of their father in Spain. He

won custody in a Spanish court four years ago, but they have been

spending the summer with their mother in Llanelli. She was

supposed to return the children to their father and a record order by

midnight on Friday night at the very latest. She didn't do so. The

police were sent to recover the children yesterday morning but they

went there, and they have finally been recovered this morning.

Jennifer, speaking in the High Court this afternoon, asked -- the

judge said this was an exceptional circumstance because he was

concerned about the children being vulnerable. Jennifer and her

partner have been arrested and she will appear before the High Court

tomorrow morning in London. James, thank you.

A man's been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 37-year-old woman

disappeared from her home near Mold. Catherine Gowing, who lives in New

Brighton but originally comes from Ireland, has been missing since

Friday evening. Police are trying to trace her purple Renault Clio

car, which has an Irish registration plate.

We are increasingly concerned about Catherine's welfare and have no

knowledge as to her current whereabouts. Catherine failed to

meet the weekend appointment and did not turn up for work on Monday

morning. A teaching union is warning of the

potential cost of making Welsh councils report on all schools'

asbestos levels. But the NASUWT has welcomed the order by Education

Minister, Leighton Andrews. It follows the unexpected closure of

Cwmcarn High School in Caerphilly County last week after concerns

about asbestos on site. Parts of the school will reopen on Friday.

A labourer jailed for life for two double murders in Pembrokeshire in

the 1980s has applied to appeal against his conviction. 66-year-old

John Cooper from Letterston was convicted last year of the 1985

murder of brother and sister Richard and Helen Thomas and

Oxfordshire couple Peter and Gwenda Dixon in 1989.

There's been a fall in unemployment in Wales. Today's figures show

125,000 people out of work in Wales in the three months to August, down

7,000 compared with the previous quarter. Here's our economics

correspondent, Sarah Dickins. Unemployment in Wales is now the

lowest it has been for a year. This man is just one of the thousands

now employed. He opened his own massage business in Aberdare eight

weeks ago with a �6,000 grant from the Welsh Government.

I was always interested in opening my own business and working for

myself, and the grant helps towards running costs, my rent, I can pay

myself a salary and my utility bills.

It is the level of an employments in Wales that jumps out today, an

increase in 40,000 in people working. A growing number are self-

employed. A pin-striped suit. That was a life

before? It was, indeed. I was something like this every working

day. Peter Harding remembers his former life as a senior civil

servant. It was 56,000 or so by the time I

finished, so reasonable money by any standard. And that would have

been many going directly into the economy? Yes. BT used to be head of

the Welsh Government body launching the Millennium Centre, but now he

has a very different life. He is self-employed, working, he says,

virtually 70 -- 7 days a week in three businesses. The key thing my

business does his import a very special olive oil from Sardinia

from a very small producer. terms of the economy and how much

you are directly putting into it, how much are you paying yourself?

Not much of anything at the moment. When he is not selling olive oil he

works as a partner in the specialist meat Company and the Wye

Valley. It is early days for the business. As yet it is only putting

a little money into the economy. This is a shipment of the great

British Frankfurter, gourmet Frankfurter, 80 per cent lean meat,

beef here, pork here, which is going to a restaurant in London

that serves a gourmet hot dog with a variety of condiments and

champagne. It really is growth, is it, this business is growing

quickly? Yes. Every month is bigger than a month before. It is three

times bigger this September and last September. One full-time

worker and two part-timers are employed here. The company buys

much of its meat from local farmers, but native breeds has not recorded

a profit so far, and as a result, Peter's working life injects less

into the economy than his old job as a civil servant. Just a small

example of changes taking place in the Welsh workforce.

More than a fortnight after April Jones went missing, the Prime

Minster has paid tribute to the people of Machynlleth for the way

they've responded to the five-year- old's disappearance. Search teams

are still looking for April. A 46- year-old man has been charged with

her abduction and murder. Cemlyn Davies reports.

Wednesday is market day in Machynlleth. And today there were

further signs that the community is settling back into a routine. The

town has been shaken over the last couple of weeks, but its spirit has

remained strong. Earlier, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the way

the people of Machynlleth have responded to what's happened here.

I think the whole country has not only been shocked by these

appalling events, but also I think the whole country, frankly, has

been lifted and incredibly impressed by the response of this

community, and everything everybody has done to help the police and

emergency services. We have seen a whole committee come together, not

just in grief but in action to help this family, I did think it is a

huge credit to everyone involved. April went missing on the 1st of

October. She'd been playing with friends near her home on the Byn-y-

Gog estate. 46-year-old Mark Bridger has been charged with her

abduction and murder. He's also accused of attempting to pervert

the course of justice by hiding her body. The search for April

continued today. These police officers were looking for clues and

evidence near Mark Bridger's home in the village of Ceinws. Some

search teams have now left but there's no let-up in the operation.

The search effort continues at the same pace as it has been for a

couple of weeks. We have said goodbye to 150 officers from

various forces across England and Wales yesterday, and we have a

fresh team in today along with police search advisers, so we still

have 150 searchers working in and around the town. As the search goes

on, Machynlleth remains wrapped in pink ribbon, a reminder of the

support this community has shown since April went missing. But as

the mayor told us, it will take many months or even years before

the town comes to terms with what's happened here.

Still to come tonight - Chris Coleman defends his captain

after this mistake in the mud handed Croatia a goal.

And his life and his loves continue to intrigue here and abroad.

Richard Burton's private diaries The new Secretary of State for

Wales, David Jones, has denied that he's hostile to devolution. Mr

Jones has been answering MPs' questions for the first time at

Westminster. Our Parliamentary correspondent, David Cornock, is

there now. David Jones's job is to be the

voice of Wales in the UK Government and the voice of the UK Government

in Wales. He says he wants a new relationship between Westminster

and Cardiff, but today he struggled to shake off some of the continuing

rows between the's governments. In the reshuffle raffle, David

Jones was one of the winners. The Clwyd West MP is the first former

AM to make it to the UK Cabinet. He has been a junior Wales Office

ministers since the last general election but hasn't always enjoyed

a high profile. Six weeks into his new job, has that changed? To

shoppers in Swansea market know who he is and what he does? I don't

really know what his purposes. you know who David Jones MP is?

So a challenge to win over the voters, and a challenge in the

Commons today in his first monthly Question Time.

Can I welcome hint the job... were congratulations all round.

When the Prime Minister promised a respected gender, did he mean

blocking Welsh Assembly genera -- legislation, universally tearing up

a cross-border GCSE exam system without consultation? If that is

the case, can even spell the word respect?

As we say in Wales, thanks for the congratulations. Mr Speaker, I can

assure the Honourable Gentleman that this government is fully

committed to the respect agenda and we are working closely with the

Welsh Government, and I am very pleased with the relationship I am

cultivating what Carwyn Jones, the First Minister.

The UK Government was questioning the legality of Assembly

legislation not because it was hostile but because it wanted to

clear up the issue. David Jones talking about

cultivating a good relationship with Carwyn Jones, but the

challenge, of course, is that as long as there are different

political parties in power in London and Cardiff, devolution

means that there will be tensions, and the challenge for the

politicians is how to manage those tensions. It is a tough job and

they have to do it. David, thanks back.

Wales manager Chris Coleman says his team have taken a step in the

right direction, despite a 2-0 defeat in Croatia last night. Wales

have now lost three of their four World Cup games, and their chance

of qualifying for Brazil is remote. But Coleman praised the character

of his team after a testing evening in Osijek. Ashleigh Crowter reports.

This was a match that not even Gareth Bale could rescue, although

he did have a good go even right at the death.

Astonishing! A at the final whistle, no one could have complaints that

Crick -- Croatia were the better side, but Chris Coleman was

encouraged by how his team thought to the end. Like their previous so

what -- and like that 61 defeat at Serbia.

We stochastic and we can take a lot of heart from the performance. --

we stuck at it. When you're up against a quality team, and Croatia

are a quality team, you have to ride your luck a little bit. It is

disappointing because we didn't get what we wanted, which was a result,

a point or three, but we got a committed bunch of players, and

sometimes you can't ask for more than that.

The deadlock was broken in Osijek after a defensive mistake, Ashleigh

Williams with a back pass presenting the chance for Croatia's

first goal. The pitch was ridiculously bad. No

matter how many times you passed back to the goalkeeper, it got

stuck in the mud. From my point of view, there isn't a lot else I

could have done to put it anywhere else, really. It is just one of

those things. Lewis Price had an outstanding game.

Without his efforts, the score might have been worse. In the end

it was just a smack goals, Eduarda it was just a smack goals, Eduarda

with the second. Wales have now lost three of their World Cup

qualifiers, and a well of place in 5th, seven points behind Croatia

5th, seven points behind Croatia and the other unbeaten side,

Belgium. It will take not one but several may look -- miracles for

Wales to qualify. They now have to wait until March for the next World

Cup game, beating Scotland for the Cup game, beating Scotland for the

second time remaining a realistic goal. Wales are certainly better

off now than a week ago. Pride and the shirt has been restored even if

qualification is slipping away. Rugby, and Wales captain Sam

Warburton is hoping to be fit for the Blues' Heineken cup clash

against Toulon on Sunday. He dislocated a finger in last

weekend's defeat at Sale, posting these pictures of the injury on

Twitter. But the Blues say he should be fine to play at the Arms

Park. A seven-year-old boy was so shocked

at the poor condition of a memorial to the last Welsh Prince of Wales

that he's persuaded the First Minister to promise improvements.

Aron Jones from Glasfryn near Betws y Coed had visited Cilmeri in Powys.

A stone near the River Irfon marks the spot close to where Llewelyn ap

Gruffudd was killed in 1282. Aron wrote to Carwyn Jones asking for

better signs and a Welsh flag there. Matthew Richards has more.

1282, and Llywelyn, Prince of Wales leads an army of 7000 into Builth

Wells against Edward the First's men. But he was cut off from the

majority of his troops and killed at Cilmeri. 730 years on the scene

of his death is marked by this monument and simple plaque. Not

good enough, according to seven- year-old Aron.

We were coming from a rugby match, and we went to see the site, and

the place was a terrible mess. Having left his own Welsh flag

there, he wrote to Carwyn Jones and asked for clearer signs and more

historical information. He received a toy dragon, and a reply saying

that Cadw, the historic monuments body, will prioritise improvements.

Aron and his brothers are thrilled. People can go there, see the place,

it is brilliant a lookout. I hope it will be better than it was when

we went there. We should respect Wales's history,

because if we don't respect it, it will be gone, and no one will know

about it. This imposing statue is a great

example of how local campaigns can make sure historical figures get

monuments bit in their lofty status. The much-maligned predecessor was

widely ridiculed for being a bit too short. Five years ago, it was

replaced, which all bodes well for the Cilmeri campaign.

I think this is an important matter of principle, but we do celebrate

Horan history and heritage, and that the first Minister has

recognised this after responding to Aron's letter.

Aron's victory, seven centuries after Llywelyn's defeat, proves

that the pen really is mightier I think Aron's got a future in

politics. Well done him. Sue, how's Very windy across Wales Today. We

have seen gusty conditions, reaching gale force at times along

the coast, 60 miles per hour recorded in North Wales, 54 in

Pembrey, so a Met Office warning is still in place. Along with the wind

and the showers in the West, the highest tides of the year are

likely this evening, so an increased risk of coastal flooding.

The Environment Agency has 10 warnings in place, 80 along the

south and west Wales coast and a smack on the River Wye in

Monmouthshire. Full details on their website. Tonight it is dry in

the east, occasionally heavy showers particularly along the

coast, remaining windy but the wind brings in warm air from the south,

so relatively mild night for mid- October. Early showers lingering in

the West but they Willy's, staying brighter on -- in border counties,

turning brighter everywhere through the day, so feeling mild a,

temperatures up to 15 Celsius in the Gwent valleys. We can see from

the pressure chart which bought the rain and the strong winds, that is

pushing towards Scandinavia, allowing high pressure to build and

conditions but -- to become more settled. An improving picture for

Friday then, drier with bright spells, few showers and less windy.

Into the weekend, Saturday is the better day, dry with sunny spells,

rain spreading out from the south on Sunday, the wind picking up as

well, also the key warmer for the start of next week. If you live

near the coast, the highest tides of the year tonight, worth looking

at dramatic seascapes. This was taken in Penarth this morning, and

Keith Jones caught the waves crashing over the prom here. Great

pictures. You can send you pictures Richard Burton was a huge star on

both sides of the Atlantic, and last night, New York got its first

chance to see his private diaries. They provide a fascinating insight

into his turbulent life, including his on-off relationship with

Elizabeth Taylor. But another star from Port Talbot was also at the

His mesmerising voice entranced a generation.

But behind the huge talent, there were problems with alcohol and a

rollercoaster relationship with Elizabeth Taylor. Richard Burton's

diaries from his life as a young man in Pontrhydyfen through to his

death give his account of those sometimes difficult years. They

were then given to Swansea University by his widow, Sally.

You can read about all the chaos going on around him, meeting up

with big stars, Grace Kelly or whatever, but he would actually be

reading medieval French poetry. His huge intellect was going on all the

time, although he lived that glitzy life will know about. The press

refer to it even now. It's taken Professor Chris Williams four years

to edit Burton's 450,000 words into a readable volume.

It tells us a lot about the kind of person Richard Burton really was,

stripped of the public image of the drinker and womaniser and the high

it liver. You get an insight into his private personality, and there

are many passages which are beautifully written and quite

moving. Last night, it was New York's turn to see the finished

product. And the interest Stateside has been immense.

But another Welsh star turned up at last night's event, who's even from

the same area as Richard Burton. Michael Sheen was invited along to

be given an honorary doctorate from Swansea University for his services

to acting. He, like Burton, has maintained strong links with Wales,

even staging a passion play on the streets of Port Talbot last year.

He's already hinted he'd like to play Burton in a film one day - a

tantalising prospect of seeing one remarkable Welsh actor portray

another. That would be something! It is

coming up to 7:00pm. The main headlines from the BBC: There has

been another fall in unemployment. In Wales, 125,000 people were out

of work in the three months to August, down 7000 compared with the

previous quarter. And that's Wales Today. There's a