[Labour Rose]

As 2023 draws to a close, I would like to thank you for reading my
newsletter and taking an interest in my work as your Member of
Parliament in Cardiff Central. I hope you and your family had a
wonderful Christmas and wish you all the best for a Happy New Year.

2023 IN REVIEW

This year, we've seen much of the same chaos that we've come to expect
from the Tories over the last 13 years. The Prime Minister is hanging
on by a thread, unable to take any steps forward in fear of the
extremists in his own party.

As the former Home Secretary, Suella Braverman gathers support against
him, who does Rishi Sunak turn to for help? David Cameron, the
unelected architect of the last 13 years of Tory misrule. 

The Tories have given up on governing and Britain is crying out for
change. Next year is our opportunity for a fresh start. Instead of
Tory members choosing our Prime Minister, lets give voters the chance
to decide. 

Labour will offer a forward-looking vision of hope. We will change
Britain's course, away from terminal decline, towards a decade of
national renewal. Our mission-guided government will:

•    Get Britain building again
•    Switch on Great British Energy
•    Get the NHS back on its feet
•    Make our streets safer
•    Break down barriers to opportunity

It's time to get Britain's future back. 

 

IN CARDIFF CENTRAL

 

CELEBRATING SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

Small businesses are the beating heart of our local economy, providing
jobs and breathing life into our high streets. Each year, ahead of
Small Business Saturday I share the best Cardiff Central has to offer
but this year I wanted to hear from you.

 

I received numerous responses highlighting your favourite small
businesses throughout the constituency. Your valuable feedback helped
shape my promotional campaign, encouraging people to shop locally this
Christmas.

 

Under Labour, small businesses will get action on late payments, a
reform of business rates, better access to finance and guaranteed
shortlisting for small contracts.

 

PRIMARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS

Time is ticking to apply for primary school places to start in
September 2024.

 

Parents are encouraged to use ALL five preferences to have the best
chance of securing a school they want. Applications close on Monday
8th January 2024.

 

Click here for more information on how to apply.
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Cardiff Christmas Market
Named One of the Best
in the UK

From Welsh jewellery to artisan cheese, Cardiff's Christmas Market
offers a wide variety of high-quality gifts. Alongside Winter
Wonderland and the Bute Park Illuminations, the markets have become a
staple of Cardiff's Christmas scene, attracting visitors from across
the UK.

It's no wonder that Big 7 Travel has recognised our market as one of
the best in the country, putting it in the same league as major cities
like Edinburgh, Birmingham, and Manchester.

 

Air Pollution Levels
Drop Below
Pre-Pandemic Levels

A recent study of air quality in Cardiff shows residents breathed
cleaner air in 2022, compared to pre-pandemic figures in 2019.

 

This positive shift highlights the importance of Cardiff Labour
Council's commitment to active travel and eco-friendly public
transport options.

 

Although this data is encouraging, there is more work to do. We need
to continue to reduce the levels of pollutants. Not only will it
benefit people's health but will help the city reduce our carbon
footprint as we look to combat climate change.

 

Read the story in full here
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WINTER READING CHALLENGE

The Reading Agency has teamed up with the Youth Sports Trust for this
year's 'Winter Reading Challenge' encouraging children to keep active
and stimulated this Christmas.

 

This is a fantastic opportunity to bond with your child and ensure
they keep up with all that they have learnt at School. 

 

Click here to log reading, play games and win rewards
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OFFICE CLOSURES

My office is closed for the festive period and will reopen on Thursday
4th January 2024.

If you need help or advice, please take a look at my out of hours
contact list below.

 

ACROSS WALES

 

THANK YOU MARK DRAKEFORD

After 5 years as First Minister and Leader of Welsh Labour, Mark
Drakeford has taken the decision to stand down. Mark has epitomised
public service and public duty throughout his time as First Minister
of Wales. His remarkable stewardship of Wales through the horror of
the pandemic being the most obvious example.

Leading our country with care, skill and values firmly rooted in our
Labour principles of social justice and progressive politics, he has
dedicated so much of his life to bringing positive change to the
people of Wales.

Mark has been there throughout our devolution journey, both as an
architect and a builder. He has been instrumental in Welsh Labour’s
electoral success throughout the last 25 years and has earned the
respect of opponents across the political spectrum.

As Mark ends his term as Welsh Labour Leader, I thank him for his
leadership, his friendship and his outstanding contribution to Wales.

 

Tory Failure on
Welsh Railways

This hapless Tory Government's record on rail in Wales is dismal.

 

At Welsh Questions, I asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
for Wales, whether the UK Tory Government will pay for its promised
electrification of the North Wales Mainline. This remains
unanswered. 

 

I’ve now written to the Secretary of State for Wales, to ask for
clarification. People in North Wales deserve a clear answer.

 

Watch my questions to the Minister here
[[link removed]]. 

 

IN PARLIAMENT

 

GOVERNMENT RWANDA POLICY

Since the Tory Government announced its Rwanda policy in April 2022,
it has sent Rwanda £240m with £50m more due in April 2024, and
further unspecified sums promised.
 
No asylum seekers have been sent to Rwanda, and the estimated capacity
of the Rwanda scheme is just a few hundred people – less than 1% of
those arriving in the UK. We need serious action to stop dangerous
boat crossings which are putting lives at risk. No more gimmicks
pandering to the extremists in the Tory Party.
 
That’s why Labour has put forward plans for a cross border police
unit, fast-track decisions and returns, to clear the backlog, and new
agreements with France and other countries. In the meantime, I will
continue to oppose this deeply flawed legislation. 

 

VTE AWARDS

Congratulations to the NHS teams from across Wales who were recognised
at the VTE Awards hosted by Thrombosis UK.

 

Teams from Betsi Cadwaladr and Cwm Taf health boards, Royal Glamorgan
Hospital and the All Wales Hospital Acquired Thrombosis (HAT) Steering
Group were all awarded prizes.

 

VTE also known as thrombosis or blood clots which include deep vein
thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a major cause of hospital deaths
and disability. The awards celebrate outstanding practice in the
management, education and provision of (VTE) services across the UK.

 

ANIMAL TESTING

Animal test results lack human relevance, are unreliable and cause
unnecessary suffering. Despite its shortcomings, the use of living
animals in scientific procedures persists, with over 2.7 million
procedures in Britain in 2022 alone.

It was a pleasure to meet with the Lush team, leading scientists and
animal welfare organisations to discuss the importance of replacing
all animal testing with human-relevant science and the benefits to
society that can be achieved through this.

 

National Lottery
Birthday Celebrations

I was pleased to celebrate the 29th birthday of the National Lottery's
Heritage Fund in a recent event in Parliament.

Since 1994, in Cardiff Central they have funded 107 projects to the
tune of £25,596,320. Some of the largest projects supported in
Cardiff Central include the conservation of Cardiff Castle, which was
awarded £6.7m in 1998/99, and the restoration of Bute Park, which
received £3.2m in 2006/07.

Read more about the National Lottery's impact here
[[link removed]].

 

SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUELS (SAF)

Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) are crucial to the future of our
aviation industry.

I was pleased to meet with representatives from Unite the union and
GMB Union to discuss how SAF will help the UK meet its net-zero
targets & create more than 60,000 green jobs in the process.

 

[Labour Rose]
 

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Sent by email from the Labour Party, promoted by David Evans on behalf
of The Labour Party, both at Labour Central, Kings Manor, Newcastle,
NE1 6PA.

© 2023 Copyright Labour All rights reserved.


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Promoted by David Evans on behalf of the Labour Party, Labour Central Kings Manor, Newcastle, NE1 6PA, United Kingdom
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