Anna McMorrin MP Parliamentary Diary -6th March 2020

Parliamentary Diary

Dear Friend,

Record breaking Storm Dennis, Ciara and Jorge has swept the country, leaving a trail of devastation in its path. There’s no doubt that communities in South Wales bore the brunt of this extreme weather, which ravaged homes, businesses and communities to an unprecedented level.

For those impacted by the flooding in Cardiff North when the River Taff burst its banks – our nightmares became their reality. Our Welsh Labour Government and Cardiff Council provided financial support swiftly and with compassion to help people get back on their feet. This is in stark contrast to our part-time Prime Minister who has been virtually non-existent throughout this national emergency.

Whilst I have also been working to support constituents in the immediate term, we have an obligation to look at why we’re experiencing such extreme weather conditions. Climate Change is no longer just a theory, but a reality beating at our door. The scale of the flooding has demonstrated that, and this should have been the wake-up call the UK Government needs to take climate action seriously.

Instead, the Government failed to put their money where their mouth is on climate change when we debated the Environment Bill. This was a once in a generation opportunity to future proof and strengthen environmental standards. The Bill fell drastically short of the urgent radical action needed to reverse the effects of climate change.

The UK Government must now step up and deliver real policy and investment strategies to protect people and planet. Climate change and environmental catastrophe are a national security risk, we must demand it is treated as such.

It’s been an incredibly busy few weeks both in Parliament and Cardiff North, here’s a snapshot into what’s been going on recently.

As ever, if you would like to get in touch with me please contact [email protected].

With very best wishes,

Onshore Wind Ban Lifted

Finally, the UK Government lifted the ban on onshore wind – the cheapest form of clean energy. I’ve been calling for the reversal of this counter-intuitive policy to tackling the climate emergency at every opportunity. I hope this signals an increase in our reliance on renewable energy which is crucial if we are serious about combatting the climate emergency.

Aftermath of Storm Dennis:
Public Meeting

On Saturday 29^th February, Julie Morgan AM and I organised a public meeting at Whitchurch Rugby Club to support those impacted by the recent floods, to highlight the information and support available and to listen to residents’ concerns on what steps we can take to mitigate further flooding. Over 70 people attended to share their views.

We were joined by the Leader of Cardiff Council, Huw Thomas and Citizens Advice to help answer concerns. Julie and I will take forward those concerns with National Resources Wales and Welsh Water urgently and another meeting will be arranged to discuss the outcomes in due course.

Flooding Debate

I spoke in the Flooding Debate this week, raising the impact of the floods and what is needed to mitigate further flooding. When the flooding disperses, it is human damage which remains. We must face up to the reality that extreme weather will become an increasing regularity and we need major infrastructural solutions to future proof and protect our communities from further flooding.

Here’s my speech and my comments in the iPaper:

iPaper Article

Launch of Committee Inquiries

The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, of which I am a member, met for the first time this week to discuss the priorities for the committee. It's first order of business will be an inquiry into the Post Office and Horizon IT scandal. The Committee will look at the lessons learnt by the Post Office and the Government following the Court cases as well as the steps that must be taken to ensure this does not happen again.

The Committee also want to hear from you on what you think we should be looking at this Parliamentary term. You can find out more information here:

The Welsh Affairs Select Committee was also appointed this week and our first inquiry will be into Wales and the Shared Prosperity Fund. The Committee wants to hear your views on the effectiveness and impact of Structural Funds, the priorities for Wales for the Shared Prosperity Fund and how the fund should be administered. You have until the 21st April to share your views and you can find out more information here:

St David's Day Service

It was a pleasure to join the service to mark St David’s Day in Westminster where I read ‘Remembrance’ by Waldo Williams. There was a lovely performance by children from the London Welsh School and a sermon from the Archbishop of Wales, John Davies.

Roedd hi’n bleser cael ymuno yn y gwasanaeth i nodi Dydd Gŵyl Dewi yn San Steffan y bore ‘ma lle y gwnes i ddarlleniad o’r gerdd ‘Cofio’ gan Waldo Williams.

Cafwyd perfformiad hyfryd gan blant Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain a phregeth gan Archesgob Cymru, John Davies.

Environment Bill Debate

Last week we scrutinised the Environment Bill in its Second Reading Stage. This was a once in a generation opportunity to make significant strides in strengthening our environmental standards and I was very disappointed that the proposed Bill fell drastically short of this and the radical action needed.

Save the Six Nations!

I’ve been working with my Welsh Labour colleagues to protect the Guinness Six Nations rugby tournament on free to air TV. Last month we wrote to the Welsh Rugby Union and I’ve supported Kevin Brennan MP’s motion recently tabled in Parliament. It’s such an important part of Wales’ sporting heritage and it should remain accessible to all.

Westminster:
What's been happening

#MakeEndsMeet

I’m proud to back the campaign Make Ends Meet, established by my colleague Alison McGovern MP. I attended the launch of the Making Ends Meet report which has some crucial key asks to restore compassion and fairness to our benefits system. We wrote to the Chancellor ahead of the budget next week, urging him to increase child benefit, end the two-child limit and five-week wait for Universal Credit which drives far too many people to food banks.

Western Power Distribution: Electric Vehicles

I met with Western Power Distribution to discuss their Electric Vehicle Strategy, their plans to decarbonise transport across England and Wales and to facilitate the take up of Electric Vehicles. I’m very pleased that WPD are currently working with Cardiff Council too!

Marie Curie

I’m supporting Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal which highlights the fantastic work of Marie Curie nurses across the country and the many issues people affected by terminal illness confront.

You can support the vital work that Marie Curie carries out here:

Crisis - End Homelessness Together

I supported Crisis with their event in Parliament recently and their work to end homelessness for good. Everyone deserves a place to call home. More must be done to tackle the root causes of homelessness.

Advice Surgeries

Over the last few weeks I’ve held advice surgeries and coffee mornings in Whitchurch, Pontprennau and Llandaff North. My next surgery will be a Supermarket Surgery in Sainsbury’s Thornhill on Excalibur Drive. Friday 13th March - 12pm-1.30pm

I will have a spot in the café upstairs if you’d like to come along and have a chat about any concerns you may have.

What's On: Cardiff North

Lydstep Flats

Cardiff Council and local councillors are holding a meeting to update residents on the Lydstep Flats Cladding Scheme. This will be an opportunity to explore and discuss the various re-cladding options and ask any questions you may have of council officers. I've fought for the cladding to be replaced for some time so I am pleased to see progress being made.

Residents where you’ll be able to vote for your preferred choice of colour scheme and brick design.

Llandaff North and Gabalfa Hub –
3- 4.30pm

Velindre Cancer Centre

Velindre Cancer Centre has submitted a further planning application to make changes to the approved access to the new Centre, which are currently under consultation. The applications cover the main access through Asda’s Coryton site and an extension to the time period of the temporary construction road through Whitchurch Hospital.

You can share your views and discuss the plans with Velindre Staff on:

Monday 9^th March, Tuesday 10^th March, Wednesday 11^th March, Thursday 19^th, Friday 20^th and Saturday 21^st March between 11am and 7.30pm at Whitchurch Rugby Club.

The closing day for comment is Sunday 22^nd March. Alternatively, if you have any concerns you’d like me to raise on your behalf with the Chief Executive of the Velindre Trust, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.

As always, please get in touch with your feedback!

Anna
MP for Cardiff North
AS dros Ogledd Caerdydd

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Member of Parliament · 2 Codas House · 52-60 Merthyr Road · Cardiff, CF14 1DG · United Kingdom