Sea Ranger Graduation Ceremony
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The first eight Sea Rangers in the UK had their graduation ceremony in Port Talbot, it was wonderful to attend and be given a guided tour of the ship they’ll be working on.
The Sea Ranger Service offers 18 to 29 year olds the chance to protect the seas by undertaking vital work to conserve Britain’s oceans. Recruitment started in January then 30 candidates were put through their paces in a rigorous bootcamp before being whittled down to the final eight. They’ll now start a programme of surveys in the Celtic Sea monitoring sea birds and other marine animals. After being employed as full-time Sea Rangers for six months they’ll then be supported into work.
This is a wonderful opportunity, bringing green jobs to the area and giving young people the chance to learn crucial skills for green careers, and I’m delighted to have helped this brilliant project get started in Port Talbot.
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Viva Port Talbot Food Festival
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It was brilliant to see hundreds of people in town for Port Talbot Food Festival this month the town is abuzz and there are so many fantastic things on offer!
A massive well done to Viva Port Talbot for pulling off another hugely successful event!
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It was great to visit Margam Castle to hear more about the exciting plans they have to renovate parts of the Castle. These renovations would mean that those areas can be used all year round for community activity, educational programmes and a digital interpretation project.
The Castle is a fascinating building with a rich history, and these plans would give it a new lease of life.
I'm delighted to have supported their bid for funding and I look forward to seeing this project progress.
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10th Anniversary of Taibach Community Library
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I was really pleased to go along to attend the 10th anniversary celebrations of Taibach Community Library as a community library, and 110 years operating overall!
I was there 10 years ago when it first re-opened as a community library, and I am so glad to see it thriving. The library offers a whole host of things, from books and use of computers to knitting groups and a children’s corner. There is so much going on there and there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
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Visit to Ysgol Maes y Coed
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I was delighted to visit Ysgol Maes y Coed following their excellent inspection report.
I was given a tour of the school and shown the wonderful facilities they have to help pupils like the hydropool and soft play. I was really impressed by the dedication and passion of staff, they go to tremendous lengths to help and support pupils, and to keep parents and guardian involved and updated with what their children are doing in school.
I also saw the pupil's heritage project where they looked at mining, the Celts, pirates, Aberavon beach, Margam castle and of course the Port Talbot steelworks!
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Pressing the Minister for Leasehold Reform for Abbottsmoor Residents
I asked the Minister for Housing & Levelling Up to reform leasehold law to help the residents who live on the Abbottsmoor estate and others like it around the UK.
My Question:
My constituents who live on the Abbottsmoor estate in Port Talbot are locked into paying unjustified and extortionate ground rent fees and charges for poor maintenance. Will the Secretary of State commit to strengthening the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill by ensuring that all leaseholders have the right to vary their lease, setting ground rents to a peppercorn, ensuring that premiums are as cheap as possible, regulating managing agents, and abolishing forfeiture?
The Minister’s Answer:
I always listen with respect to arguments made by a Kinnock, and in this case, I think the hon. Gentleman is broadly—broadly—in the right territory.
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Fighting for Tata Steel Contractors
I questioned the Secretary of State for Wales this month on what his Government is doing to protect contractors of Tata steel.
The Port Talbot steelworkers in Aberavon have given their life to the steel industry and to Tata Steel.
Everyone knows that for every job lost in a steelworks, between two and three more are lost through supply chains and contractors, so the figure of 2,800 that is being used is a massive underestimate of the devastating impact, as there will be job losses through supply chains and subcontractors.
I pressed him to acknowledge the much larger scale of job losses and pushed him encourage Tata to pull back from the brink and adopt the multi-union plan, which offers us a bridge to the future, rather than the cliff edge that is currently being pursued.
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Questioning the Minister on the Tata Steel Transition Board and Job Losses
The Tata-Tory bad deal for steel saw the UK Government hand £500m to Tata Steel, who are making up to *9,500* steelworkers & supply chain contractors redundant.
I asked the Minister for Steel what conditions the UK Government asked Tata to sign up to on preserving jobs, in exchange for £500m.
I am afraid to say that I got no answer from the Minister.
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Palestinian Family Visa Debate
I spoke as shadow Immigration Minister in the Palestinian Family Visa Scheme debate, I called on the Government to fix the family visa route for Palestinians by allowing them visas to travel to nearby centres outside of Gaza to have their biometrics taken, similar to the arrangements made for Ukrainians.
I also repeated my calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all of the hostages, and immediate and unimpeded aid to Gaza, and to work towards a two-state solution, with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.
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BBC Newsnight
I spoke to Newsnight about Labour’s plans to reform the immigration system.
Labour’s new Border Security Command will increase the capacity and powers of those keeping our borders safe - going after the criminal smuggling gangs that the Tories have allowed to take control in the Channel.
It will be funded by cancelling the failing Rwanda gimmick and instead prioritising our plan for serious border security.
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BBC Radio Wales
I recently spoke to BBC Radio Wales about the devastating job losses at Tata Steel.
We spoke about the disappointment and worry that people reacted to Tata’s plans with.
I also spoke about how Tata’s deal exports jobs and pollution to India.
Labour has a green steel fund of £2.5billion to help deliver the multi-union plan.
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You can get in touch with us by calling the office on 01639 897660 or ending an email to [email protected]
Check my website, Instagram or Facebook page for details of my next advice surgery.
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Stephen Kinnock
MP for Aberavon
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