Parliamentary Diary

Dear Friend,

I hope you and your families are well during these trying times.

Over the weekend we saw our First Minister extend the lockdown, maintaining the same restrictions in place for the next three weeks. The message in Wales remains the same – stay home, protect the NHS, save lives.

The Prime Minister’s subsequent announcements ([link removed]) on easing lockdown restrictions in England were both confusing and careless. A dangerous series of ifs and buts which confuses rather than clarifies.

The Coronavirus crisis has not by any means been averted. This huge loss of life – the highest death toll in Europe – has signalled a change in message from the UK Government which will undoubtedly trigger a change in behaviour across the UK. However the evidence shows that the slightest change in behaviour could claim the lives of thousands more. The very evidence on which the Welsh Government had based their decision to maintain lockdown restrictions in Wales.

The Prime Minister has assured us that if the statistics in England show that this is the wrong path to take he will ‘pump on the brakes’, failing to grasp that behind these statistics are thousands of preventable deaths and grieving families. Getting this wrong is simply not an option.

What the UK needs is clarity and reassurance – a coherent and clear four nations approach to how we play our part to stay safe in the worst public health crisis in over a century. Instead, we have a UK Government roadmap with no clear direction, evoking more questions than answers which will potentially cost lives.

The UK Government has failed to heed the calls of Wales and other devolved nations, for a four-nation approach to vital Covid-19 decisions. When the virus knows no borders we should not underestimate the danger of divergence.

Saving lives must always come first. My Labour colleagues and I will continue to remind the Prime Minister of this where he falls woefully short.

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

With very best wishes,
Lockdown Exit Strategy for Wales Revealed
The First Minister of Wales has set out his plan ([link removed]) for lifting restrictions in Wales, based on a traffic light system 🚦

His message has not changed because the virus has not changed and remains a threat to us all - we must continue to stay home and save lives. However, this roadmap out of lockdown sets out changes that could be made to ease restrictions without the virus spiralling and unravelling our efforts over the last 8 weeks. Changes will only be made when the science demonstrates it is safe to do so, not based on arbitrary dates.

The Education Minister has echoed ([link removed]) the First Minister's sentiments and has today confirmed that there are no plans for a return to school on June 1st and will also use the science as the basis for decision making, not arbitrary dates.

The world we are moving towards is not the same pre-COVID world. Until there is a vaccine we must adapt to a future with the virus in it and this roadmap is the start of that important conversation.
See Plan ([link removed])
Support Secured for Healthcare workers' families
"My constituent's fear of becoming infected with this disease is not that he may die, but if he dies his family will no longer be welcome in the UK."
After significant pressure as well as campaigns from unions and NHS staff, the Home Secretary has now confirmed that the family members and dependents of health and care workers who sadly pass away as a result of contracting COVID-19 will be offered indefinite leave to remain.

This will come as a great relief to my constituent whose overriding concern was not that he may die from the virus, but that his family may no longer be welcome in the UK if the worst were to happen. Many healthcare workers, like my constituent, are putting their lives on the line everyday. Nobody sacrificing their lives to save others should be worried by this prospect.

Nothing can bring back their loved ones, but I am pleased the Home Secretary has responded appropriately after much persuasion, and families will be spared further turmoil.
See Gov.uk Announcement ([link removed])
Furlough Pay Secured for Village Hotel Employees
This week Unite received confirmation from their members on Zero Hours Contracts at the Village Hotel in Cardiff North, that their furlough payments have now been made. Employees had initially been informed that there would be zero hours and zero pay offered.

I have been working with Unite Union, calling on the Village Hotel to treat their staff with the respect they deserve at such a critical time. This is very welcome news and in the week of Labour's #JoinAUnion campaign, is a prime example of how unions have your back when things get tough!
"Ensure aid reaches Syria to avoid catastrophic damage"

In an urgent letter to the Secretary of State for International Development, I expressed the vital need for the British government to put pressure on the UN Security Council to ensure vital cross-border aid reaches millions of people in Syria amidst the coronavirus pandemic, or cause unimaginable damage to humanitarian efforts.

Currently the only way the international community can take action to prepare, prevent and respond to Covid-19 is through cross-border aid. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), fewer than two-thirds of the country’s hospitals are operational, and 70 per cent of healthcare workers have fled the country which has been at war for the last nine years.

Global leaders cannot allow the incubation of the virus, which threatens the lives of the most vulnerable and may also jeopardise the health of citizens at home through a second wave.

I have yet to receive a response from the Secretary of State, but I will keep urging the UK to use its global influence to push the Council to renew and expand vital border crossings into Syria.
Independent Article ([link removed])
World Red Cross Day 🌎
Concern for Organised Mass Gathering Event

I am deeply concerned by the prospect of mass gatherings in Heath Park on Saturday, posters for which have been circulating on social media. I immediately reported this to South Wales Police who are taking the appropriate steps. The Welsh Government message remains the same - stay home.

Whilst this event may be a hoax, the damage may have already been done - encouraging those who seek to flout the rules that are there to protect us. The slightest change in our behaviour at present risks the virus spiralling and thousands of preventable deaths.

I sincerely hope people will do the right thing, abide by the law and save lives.
View my comments in Wales Online ([link removed])

[link removed]

Stay home and stay safe this weekend.
Supporting Cardiff North Community Businesses
As your elected representatives across Cardiff North, this week we launched our initiative to support our small, community businesses across the constituency during this incredibly difficult time.

I'm working with Julie Morgan MS, Cllrs Jen Burke-Davies, Dilwar Ali and Graham Hinchey and we're asking for local businesses to get in touch with us about what safety measures they've put in place and each week we are amplifying local businesses to let Cardiff North they're open for business!

Get in touch if you'd like to be involved!
No Welsh Government bailouts for firms based in tax havens

Very pleased Wales has taken the decisive action to refuse coronavirus bailout cash to firms based in tax havens. When we face a crisis, businesses who have avoided paying tax should not benefit from interventions the government is making.

I'd like to see the UK Government follow Wales' lead and take this approach too. We cannot afford to go back to business as usual after this crisis. Read more
here: ([link removed])

Celebrating International Nurses Day

This week we celebrated International Nurses Day where we stood united with nursing staff across the world in responding to the pandemic.

Thank you for your great skill, compassion and dedication in ordinary and extraordinary times alike.

VE Day - 75 years on

It’s been 75 years since the historic day marking the end of World War 2. We owe a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices made to secure victory & most importantly, peace. ‬We may not have been able to come together, but we will remember and honour those that served.

‪The UN was founded in the wake of world wars with a vision of peace, cooperation and protecting life- a vision that is as relevant now in this pandemic as back then.‬

Welsh Government
Regulations Q&A

The Welsh Government has produced a list of common Q&As relating to what we can and can't do in Wales during lockdown. Click the link to find out more.
Go to Q&A ([link removed])
Facebook Live Q&A

Thank you to everyone who tuned in this week for my Facebook Live Q&A. I know there's been a lot of confusion over lockdown restrictions in the UK, so I hope that the Q&A was helpful and helped to clear some of the confusion!

I'll be holding another next week and joining me will be Dr Rosena Allin-Khan MP, A&E Doctor and member of UK Labour's Shadow Health Team. Date and time to be confirmed.

Advice & Support
This is a difficult time for everyone - please never be ashamed to ask for help.
If you are lonely, if your home is not a safe place and you need someone to talk to please reach out.
New Website Launched 🚀

My new and improved website recently launched where you'll be able to find COVID related support and advice as well as view all the latest news and activity in Parliament and Cardiff North.
View Website ([link removed])
Cardiff North Coronavirus Response

I've set up a Facebook group - Cardiff North Coronavirus Response to help co-ordinate volunteers, assist those who are self-isolating and act as a hub of up to date information and announcements. We have over 500 members and we are linked to the local mutual aid groups in your area.

If you're active on Facebook you can join the group by clicking the button below.
Join Group ([link removed])
Local Support

Cardiff Council has recently launched their volunteering scheme "Together ([link removed]) For Cardiff" ([link removed]) which aims to match up people's needs to volunteers.

If you think you can spare some time to volunteer and you're not in the at risk category, then please email me on [email protected].
As always, please get in touch with your feedback!

Anna
MP for Cardiff North
AS dros Ogledd Caerdydd

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