Thank you for reading my November newsletter.
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It was an honour to join serving and former armed forces personnel, veterans, cadets and their families at Remembrance Services in Cardiff East, as well as laying a wreath on behalf of the UK Government at the Wales National Service of Remembrance at Cathays Park.
The Service at Beaumaris Road was poignantly led by William McCarthy who highlighted the street’s deep-rooted connection to those who have served and their families.
I also attended the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance for Wales at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Newport, led by the Royal Welsh Band.
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Cardiff United Synagogue Remembrance Service
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It was a pleasure to join Rabbi Michoel Rose, Cllr Norma Mackie, Cllr Julie Sangani, Jane Hutt MS and Cardiff East constituents at Cardiff United Synagogue for the Synagogue’s Remembrance service.
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Ardour Academy provides hearing integration services and a safe space for Deaf/Hard of Hearing members of the LGBTQ+ community.
It was great to catch up with Sara & her team to learn how National Lottery Community Fund money is helping them deliver these vital services.
Find information and support here.
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Cardiff is home to the UK's leading journalism school with many famous alumni and some of the most impressive student journalists.
It was a real pleasure to meet with postgraduate students from CJS News and The Cardiffian to answer some interesting and wide-ranging questions on my role as Secretary of State for Wales, tackling fake news and the future of local news reporting.
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I always love attending the annual Diwali Mela at St Fagans Museum to celebrate this special festival of light and colour encompassing the heritage and culture of the Hindu community in Wales.
Thanks to the India Centre HCA for inviting me and congratulations to everyone who took part and entertained the many people from across Cardiff who had come to join in the celebrations.
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Tesco Winter Food Collection
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Last year, Tesco customers donated more than 2 million meals worth of food to the Winter Food Collection which is supported by the Trussell Trust and Fare Share UK. It was privilege to join volunteers and staff at Tesco’s in St Mellons to help those who are struggling this Christmas.
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This month, I met with the Chief Constable of South Wales Police to discuss ongoing issues that have been raised by constituents at street surgeries.
There must be more focus by local police on crime hotspots in Cardiff East. It is not fair on residents and businesses to have to put up with persistent and very public criminal activity on their doorsteps.
As well as raising local issues with the police, I also had the opportunity to join a Cardiff city centre patrol to see how they keep the public safe at big events. I was especially pleased to hear more about Schemes like the Alcohol Treatment Centre and the Student Volunteer Bus which provide help for anyone who is a victim of crime or is vulnerable, with nursing and paramedic staff available to ensure that people can enjoy themselves and be safe at the same time.
This is all delivered through a partnership with the Council, Street Wardens, the Licensed Premises group and FOR Cardiff.
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Congratulations to Pacha Prichard from Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Edern on being crowned as the UK Young Engineer of the Year at the Big Bang Engineering UK Awards for her Portable Pollution Monitor.
Pacha's amazing Portable Pollution Monitor assesses air quality in schools and residential areas across Cardiff East and uses emojis to communicate pollution levels to the public.
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30 Years of the National Lottery
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Since the first draw was held in 1994, the National Lottery has raised over £49 million for good causes in Cardiff East.
Each pound raised has helped to fund individual grants to local projects and organisations, making a real difference to many people across Cardiff East.
As National Lottery celebrates their significant anniversary, I'd like to thank the millions of players who have given so generously over the last three decades.
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Supporting Small Business Saturday
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Small businesses are the heart and soul of our communities across Cardiff East, creating jobs and boosting our local economy. Each year, in the lead-up to Small Business Saturday, I’ve highlighted some of the best our constituency has to offer—and this year, I want to hear directly from you with your recommendations!
Throughout December, I’ll be promoting a different business each day until Christmas. If you have a favourite local business you’d like to see featured in my campaign to support small businesses please let me know here.
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Cardiff Council's Parking Plan Consultation
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Time is running out to have your say on Cardiff's new city-wide parking plan. These new proposals would adopt an area-based approach to managing parking across the city giving residents a better chance to park on their own street, or adjoining streets close to their home.
Have your say on the plans here.
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I know some residents were concerned by the impact of Storm Bert in Cardiff East. During the storm, I was liaising with council colleagues and the emergency services to ensure that support was available to any households and businesses affected by flooding in Cardiff East.
My team and I are available to ensure constituents get support they need. Please contact my office by calling 02921 329736 or email [email protected].
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It was an honour to address Welsh Labour Conference for the first time as Secretary of State for Wales following Labour's historic election victory in July.
Wales chose a different future, one with two Labour Governments working in genuine partnership to deliver on the public’s priorities. After 14 years, I was delighted to share with conference delegates that this change is well underway.
In just a few short months, we are already showing the difference a Labour Government in Westminster working with a Labour Government in Wales can make for Wales and we are just getting started.
From the biggest ever real terms budget settlement (£21billion) for Welsh Government with an extra £1.7bn for spending on public services, to historic increases in minimum and living wages, carer’s allowance and £80million to support people and businesses in our steelmaking communities, we are fixing the foundations and rebuilding the country after years of austerity.
Watch my Welsh Conference Speech in full here:
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A New Wales on the Horizon
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Eluned Morgan used her first speech to Welsh Labour Conference as First Minister to set out her vision for the future of Wales. She was clear that the journey ahead wouldn't be an easy one, difficult decisions would have to be made but the priorities of the people of Wales will be at the heart of everything she does.
With 18 months to go until the next Senedd Election, Eluned is focusing on four main priorities:
- Delivering Iechyd da. Bringing waiting lists down, providing fast support for mental health along with improved social care and better women’s health services.
- Delivering Jobs and growth – to keep Wales working – creating thousands of future proof jobs in new industries to flight climate change and power our economy.
- Providing opportunities for all families – Higher standards in our schools and more social housing because your post code should never determine your prospects.
- Connecting communities – to improve transport and keep people in touch. New trains, a new bus bill, better roads
With two Labour Governments working together, we will make this reality.
Watch Eluned Morgan's Welsh Conference Speech in full here:
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A New Era for Communities in Wales
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It was a real privilege to welcome the Keir Starmer to Llandudno, the first Prime Minister to address Welsh Labour Conference in 14 years.
Our Labour Governments are pulling in the same direction once again, kickstarting a new era of opportunity for Wales.
In just four months, the UK Labour Government's budget has delivered:
- Record additional funding of more than £1.7 billion to support public services in Wales, with a focus on strengthening our NHS and bringing down waiting times.
- £88m for City and Growth Deals including Cardiff Capital City Region.
- £25m to continue the maintenance that keeps coal tips safe in former mining areas.
- £320m to drive economic growth with Investment Zones in Cardiff and Newport, and in Wrexham and Flintshire, freeports in Milford Haven and Port Talbot that will boost local economies and create high-quality jobs for the future.
- £440m Levelling Up Funding protected for local communities right across Wales.
Labour is proud of Wales. We have cast aside the divisive politics of other parties who continually talk our nation down. Our governments are working in a spirit of unity and partnership to deliver a future people in Wales can be proud of.
Watch Keir Starmer's Speech in full here:
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In October, the Chancellor announced the biggest budget settlement for the Welsh Government in the history of devolution.
At Welsh Questions, I shared how our two Labour Governments are working together to deliver on the priorities of the people of Wales.
What my contributions here.
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Supporting Communities Affected by Storm Bert
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Storm Bert hit communities across Wales and the UK leading to devastating floods.
The Welsh Labour Government is working with partners in UK Government and local authorities to ensure financial support is delivered to households affected.
Following the floods, I visited Pontypridd to meet those affected and to thank the emergency services, volunteers and the council for their response.
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A New Era of Prosperity and Growth for Wales
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I was pleased to announce the formation of a new economic advisory group, bringing the UK Government, leaders from Welsh government, business, industry, universities, and trade unions together for the first time to help shape our efforts to boost growth and put more money in people’s pockets.
Speaking at CBI Cymru's Annual Dinner, I shared my hope that this new partnership will rekindle Wales' proud industrial roots with new jobs and growth for every corner of Wales.
Read more about the announcement here.
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Creative Industries Roundtable
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The creatives industry is driving growth and creating jobs across Wales. It was a privilege to meet with industry leaders from Bad Wolf TV (producers of Doctor Who with BBC Studios) and Boom Cymru to see how the UK Labour Government can support them to suceed.
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Investing in the Aerospace Industry
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Wales is at the forefront of the aerospace industry with over 20,000 people employed in high quality, skilled jobs in the sector.
I was pleased to welcome the Prime Minister to Airbus Broughton, where he announced an extra £49 million to support the Welsh Aerospace Industry over the next 5 years. This will help us to deliver net-zero flights and drive growth, jobs and innovation.
More on the announcement here.
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The new UK Labour Government has a mission to deliver safer streets. This month, I met with Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners from the four Welsh police forces. During the meeting, we discussed the UK Labour Government's plans to introduce a new Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee to crackdown on anti-social behaviour and restore law and order to our streets through the recruitment of 13,000 new neighbourhood officers.
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Start-up Business Fund Launched for Port Talbot Steelworkers
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I am determined that the TATA Steel Port Talbot Transition Board delivers for the steelworkers of Port Talbot, for the region’s businesses and for our steel communities.
This remains a really difficult time for workers in Port Talbot and their families. That's why I have released a further £13 million to help former steel workers and their families set up their own businesses. These non-repayable grants will provide vital backing for them to make their plans a reality.
I said I would back workers and businesses affected by the transition at Port Talbot and with more than £26m announced since July, I am making this reality.
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Swansea University Innovation Leading the Way
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It was a pleasure to visit Swansea University to launch the Natural Products Biohub which has received funding from the UK Labour Government.
The new Biohub has received £4.5 million to develop new products using our natural resources to help sectors from pharmaceuticals to farming by using the naturally occurring capabilities of algae and fungi. I learnt how these two natural products can even be used to build houses!
The new cluster will bring together our superb research academics, investors and business development experts in new green technologies, to bring good, high skilled jobs and ensure that Wales is at the forefront of scientific innovation in tackling climate change.
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Under successive Conservative governments, we have seen the impact that fewer police in our neighbourhoods has had. Many constituents across Cardiff East raise with me the problems of crime that is blighting their lives, particularly antisocial behaviour, violence and drug dealing. We’ve seen neighbourhood officers pulled off the beat, while powers to combat antisocial behaviour and shoplifting have been weakened. This has placed police under significant pressure and also resulted in the lowest confidence in the police on record. Things need to change.
The Home Secretary has announced an ambitious programme of reforms to rebuild neighbourhood policing, to improve performance across police forces and ensure the highest standards are upheld across the service.
The reforms, which are backed up by more than half a billion pounds of additional funding, include:
- A new Police Performance Unit to track national data on local performance and drive up standards.
- A Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee to get policing back to basics and rebuild trust between local forces and the communities they serve.
- A new National Centre of Policing to harness new technology and forensics, making sure policing is better equipped to meet the changing nature of crime.
These reforms will reset the relationship between policing and our local communities.
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Getting Britain Back to Work
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The government has published plans for the biggest reforms to employment support in a generation.
The plans will ensure every young person in Wales is earning or learning. Job centres will benefit from an improved digital service, greater flexibility for work coaches to support those looking for work, a joint jobs and careers service, and a joined-up approach with other local services.
These reforms will help to build a healthier, wealthier nation – driving up employment, increasing both opportunity and living standards.
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1,000 days after Putin initiated his full-scale invasion, our commitment to Ukraine and its people remains steadfast. The new UK Labour Government continues to be clear to President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people that they will have our fullest support for as long as it takes.
As we look towards a winter of continued Russian attacks on military and civilian targets, it is critical that international partners and allies come together to back Ukraine and ensure that Putin does not succeed.
This month, we built on our current commitments, announcing a further £7.5 million for new attack and surveillance drones, which will be invested through the drone coalition led by the UK and Latvia.
Slava Ukraini.
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Tackling violence against women and girls is not just an issue for government, or for the criminal justice system and especially not just for women to solve.
On White Ribbon Day, which raises awareness of the violence suffered by women and girls, I called on everyone to play their part to bring about the change that is so desperately needed, finally tackling this epidemic.
Read more in my recent blog.
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Labour is committed to protecting children from becoming hooked on nicotine.
We are taking bold action to create the first smoke-free generation by clamping down on the underage use of vapes and protecting children and vulnerable people from the harms of second-hand smoke.
This historic legislation will save thousands of lives and protect the NHS.
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Boosting Support for Veterans
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Over the past 14 years we have seen the UK’s Armed Forces hollowed out and underfunded, leaving a recruitment crisis and morale at an all-time low.
The new UK Labour Government is introducing legislation to create an Armed Forces Commissioner who will have the power to proactively investigate issues which materially impact servicemen and women, from kit, to housing, childcare and family life and make recommendations and report those recommendations to Parliament. This will help us to renew Britain's contract with those who serve and their families.
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Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
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The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill returned to the House of Commons for its Second reading this month. I have always supported legislative change to allow assisted dying. Around 250 million more people around the world now have the right to choose an assisted death. This includes those living in seven EU countries, as well as New Zealand, Australia and some American states. We should learn the lessons from those countries that have already legislated to allow assisted dying, to inform our own laws.
Of course such changes to the law should be carefully considered and we should look to these international examples to ensure that thorough safeguards are in place, particularly for the most vulnerable groups of people. I appreciate this is a sensitive subject, with strong feelings in the debate, but I do believe it is right that people have dignity in the way they die.
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Contaminated Blood Scandal
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This Labour Government has moved quickly to deliver on commitments to provide compensation to both the infected and affected victims of the infected blood scandal.
In the October budget the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves MP, announced that she had allocated £11.8 billion of funding to make compensation payments.
To date, two rounds of interim payments of £100,000 and £210,000 have been made to people who are living with an infection registered with an Infected Blood Support Scheme, totalling £1 billion.
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Measures to Tackle Shoplifting
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Under the last Conservative government, shoplifting hit a record high, with more and more offenders using appalling violence and abuse against shopworkers.
We announced in the Budget that new money will be invested in prevention and training for the police and retailers on specific retail crime tactics to stop crime before it happens. An extra £5 million will be invested over three years to crack down on organised shoplifting gangs and we'll legislate for assaults against retail workers by creating a new stand-alone offence, as the shopworkers’ union USDAW has called for, over the last decade.
This will all be supported by the 13,000 additional neighbourhood police and PCSOs who will patrol retail crime hotspots and work with shopkeepers and retail staff when a crime is committed.
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Sent by email from the Labour Party, promoted by Hollie Ridley on behalf of The Labour Party, both at Labour Central, Kings Manor, Newcastle, NE1 6PA.
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