Wishing everyone in Cardiff East, across Wales and Welsh Communities
around the world a happy St David's Day. Thank you for reading my
February 2025 newsletter.

 

RAMADAN MUBARAK

Ramadan is a time for reflection, community, and generosity. I'd like
to wish Muslims across Wales and around the world a blessed and
peaceful Ramadan. 

Ramadan Mubarak.

 

IN CARDIFF EAST

 

ON THE DOORSTEP

Week in and week out, I hold regular street surgeries across Cardiff
East, knocking on doors to listen to constituents, pick up casework,
and answer questions. I do this all year round, and my team and I are
here to help you.  

 

If you have missed me at one of my recent door-knocking sessions and
have an issue you would like to raise, you can contact me easily using
the information below.

EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 02921 329 736

You can also keep up to date with my work on my social media channels:


Facebook [[link removed]]
X (formerly Twitter) [[link removed]]
Instagram [[link removed]]

 

CARDIFF COUNCIL BUDGET

Cardiff Labour Council has announced its budget for the next financial
year, following a record £40 million funding boost from the UK and
Welsh Labour Governments.

This additional funding has allowed Cardiff Council to strengthen key
public services, including:

* £22.9 MILLION FOR SCHOOLS – a 7.5% INCREASE from 2024/25
* £12.8 MILLION FOR ADULT SERVICES – a 7.8% INCREASE from
2024/25
* £8.8 MILLION FOR CENTRAL EDUCATION SERVICES (covering
home-to-school transport and support for Cardiff children educated
outside the city) – a 16% INCREASE from 2024/25
* £6.5 MILLION FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES – a 6.5%
INCREASE from 2024/25

This investment is only possible thanks to the strong partnership
between Cardiff’s Labour Council and the UK and Welsh Labour
Governments.

 

TREE PLANTING IN BUTE PARK

Many years ago, I worked with Mel Boothman and Cathays Labour
Councillors, Sarah Merry and Chris Weaver to establish a community
orchard in Bute Park. Despite setbacks, including vandalism to trees,
Mel’s commitment never wavered—she launched a Crowdfunder to
replace them, helping to keep Bute Park at its best.

On St David’s Day, I was delighted to join Mel, Sarah, and Chris to
plant a rare variety of apple tree, made famous by renowned Cardiff
horticulturist Andrew Pettigrew, which was once thought lost for over
100 years.

A huge thank you to Mel and the team for their dedication to
preserving Bute Park’s unique environment and heritage.

 

HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE FUTURE OF CARDIFF

Cardiff's Replacement Local Development Plan (LDP) will help shape our
city for the next 11 years, ensuring future developments benefit our
local communities and our economy.

Cardiff Labour Council has set out a plan to deliver 32,300 jobs,
26,400 homes, and a greener, more sustainable Cardiff.

Have your say on the proposals here
[[link removed]].

 

CARDIFF UNIVERSITY JOB CUTS

The proposed job losses at Cardiff University are deeply concerning,
and I know has come as a significant blow to affected University staff
and their families, many of whom are constituents. Students are also
naturally concerned about how this will affect their degree studies.

I hope sufficient voluntary redundancies can be achieved to avoid any
compulsory redundancies and that support is provided to those
impacted.

 

I have met with university staff, trades unions representing staff,
student representatives, and the Vice Chancellor and her senior team
to understand the proposals, pose questions and make representations.
I am working closely with my MP colleagues in Cardiff, all of whom
have constituents affected by the proposals.

Please read a joint statement from all four Cardiff Labour MPs here
[[link removed]].

 

FUNDING BOOST FOR SOUTH WALES POLICE

This UK Labour Government is taking decisive action to rebuild our
police services after the last fourteen years of Conservative
governments.

 

A record £25.2 million increase to the South Wales Police's budget
will provide officers with the resources they need to keep people and
businesses in Cardiff East safe.

 

Read more here
[[link removed]].

 

PENTWYN LEISURE CENTRE UPDATE

In 2023, the Cardiff Labour Council unveiled plans to reopen and
enhance Pentwyn Leisure Centre. With the gym, community rooms, sports
hall, and meeting rooms already open to the public, I am excited to
announce that work is now underway on the construction of a new
25-meter swimming pool.
 
The development will include:

 

* A new aqua-play facility and splash zone at the poolside, offering
a great interactive space for young swimmers and families.
* Refurbished reception and changing areas.
* Improved energy efficiency with the installation of roof-mounted
solar panels and an air-source heat pump, boosting sustainability and
lowering the energy bills for heating the pool and running the centre.

 

Throughout the construction phase, the Pentwyn Leisure Centre will
remain open to the public, with the expected completion date set for
the end of 2025. Pentwyn and Llanedeyrn Labour Councillor Jess
Moultrie has worked extremely hard to make sure the money is available
for the work on the centre and that it reflects what the local
community needs and deserves.

Llanedeyrn & Pentwyn Labour Councillor Jess Moultrie and Jo Stevens MP
outside Pentwyn Leisure Centre.

 

CATHERINE GARDENS IMPROVEMENTS

In 2023, Cardiff became the first UNICEF Child-Friendly City in the
UK. As part of this project, the Cardiff Labour Council worked closely
with children and young people to decide priorities for our city, with
play being a key focus.

On that note, I’m delighted that improvements to Catherine Gardens
in Rumney have now been completed, creating a safer and more inclusive
space for children to enjoy. The project includes:

* New play equipment, including swings, a springer, a ‘castle’
multi-unit, a toddler slide, and a climbing cart.
* Replacement of the two bespoke slides.
* Upgraded safety surfacing in the play area.
* Enhanced seating areas with new benches and paving.

 

These improvements reflect the ongoing commitment of Rumney Labour
councillors, Jackie Parry and Bob Derbyshire, to make sure Rumney has
great facilities for residents, especially children.

Rumney Labour Councillors, Jackie Parry and Bob Derbyshire, at
Catherine Gardens.

 

SATELLITE INNOVATION

The UK Labour Government is investing in cutting-edge technology to
provide significant advancements in mobile communication, help to
bridge the digital divide and connect communities in the most
hard-to-reach areas.

Cardiff East-based business, Excelerate Technology, will receive £6
million to develop devices that improve access to satellite
connectivity by allowing users to choose the most suitable network via
an app. 

Read more here
[[link removed]].

 

UNIVERSAL POSTAL SERVICE CONSULTATION

The postal service is a lifeline for many people across Cardiff East.
Daily postal deliveries ensure that individuals, businesses, and
public services stay connected.
 
Ofcom is currently consulting on changes to Universal Postal Services
(UPS) and what new arrangements for letter and parcel deliveries might
look like. This is to ensure that services remain financially viable
while continuing to serve the public's needs. 
 
Read more about the proposed changes and how to have your say here
[[link removed]].

 

ACROSS WALES

 

WELCOMING THE FIRST MINISTER AT DOWNING STREET

It was great to welcome, alongside Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the First
Minister Eluned Morgan to Number 11 Downing Street for discussions
about how our two Labour governments are delivering on our shared
priorities for the people of Wales and the UK. 

We are working together to raise living standards and put more money
in peoples’ pockets, create jobs and invest in public services so
that they are fit for the future.

 

WALES WEEK IN LONDON

For one week each year, Wales comes to London to celebrate our
culture, showcase our businesses and promote our nation to the
world. 

I was delighted to mark this occasion with the announcement of a
£600m investment by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners into Bute
Energy Wales and Green Gen Cymru clean energy onshore wind projects
that will create hundreds of new jobs across Wales.

 

Wales is open for business.

 

GROWING WALES’S ECONOMY

A big focus of my work as Secretary of State for Wales is to drive
public and private investment into Wales to create economic growth and
ensure that we create good, well-paid jobs across the nation as part
of the mission to have clean power by 2030.

Earlier this month, I chaired the Welsh Economic Growth Advisory Board
to discuss how to drive investment and identify priorities for the UK
Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review. The Board brings
together leaders from Welsh business, trade unions, universities and
governments to maximise ideas, experience and knowledge.

 

REGENERATION FOR PORT TALBOT

I was delighted to announce £8.2 million in UK Government funding for
the first of several regeneration projects in Port Talbot. This is
part of an overall £80 million package to support local people and
businesses as the town shifts to clean steel production.

The new regeneration project will create a facility that brings
university researchers, innovators and supply chain businesses in the
steel and metals production sector to develop new products that reduce
carbon emissions in their manufacture.

Watch highlights from my visit here [[link removed]] and
find out more details about the announcement here
[[link removed]].

WREXHAM - FLINTSHIRE INVESTMENT ZONE

In December, I met leaders from the Welsh advanced manufacturing
sector at Toyota’s factory in Deeside and visited two very
successful supply chain businesses. I saw the huge potential for
growth and for building on the talent and expertise that already
exists in this part of Wales.

I’m delighted that the UK Labour Government is moving forward with
the Investment Zone for Wrexham and Flintshire with £160 million of
funding to grow our advanced manufacturing sector.

 

This Investment Zone will super-charge economic growth, create up to
6000 new jobs and generate £1bn of private investment, which will
have a transformational impact on people living and working in
North-East Wales.

Read more here
[[link removed]].

 

PEMBROKESHIRE POWERING LABOUR'S CLEAN ENERGY MISSION

We have a world-class clean energy sector in Wales, with abundant
natural resources and the potential to be a powerhouse for economic
growth.

 

I want to see a thriving industry which delivers both well-paid jobs
and contributes to our mission to make the UK a clean energy
superpower by 2030.

I was pleased to be back in Pembrokeshire this month to meet with
green businesses that will be key to developing floating offshore wind
in the Celtic Sea.

[Video] [[link removed]]

 

CELEBRATING WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE

On the 10th Anniversary of the first International Women and Girls in
Science Day, it was a real privilege to meet Libby, an apprentice at
Dragon LNG, to hear how she chose a career in energy engineering and
is playing her part to deliver the UK Labour Government's Clean Power
2030 mission. 

 

Inspiring women right across Wales are driving scientific and
technological advancements here and abroad. Libby’s story precisely
illustrates our commitment as a UK Labour Government to ensuring that
everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

[Video] [[link removed]]

 

ABERYSTWYTH – BID TO BE THE UK’S FIRST UNESCO CITY OF LITERATURE 

I'm delighted to back Aberystwyth's bid to become the UK’s first
UNESCO City of Literature. Aberystwyth has a rich literary history and
is home to the National Library for Wales.

 

This bid will help us use the power of literature to build a vibrant
literary community in this historic town and attract people from all
over the world to visit it.

 

SPORTING FACILITIES FIT FOR THE FUTURE

It was an absolute pleasure to open new 3G pitches at Trefelin Boys
and Girls Club and meet some of the players, their families, and club
staff.

I hope the UK Government funding that helped bring this Cymru Football
Foundation project to reality will provide enjoyment for generations
to come.

 

Learn more about the scheme and how it could benefit your local
club here
[[link removed]].

[Video] [[link removed]]

 

IN PARLIAMENT

 

ST DAVID'S DAY DEBATE

This year's St David's Day debate in Parliament was a perfect
opportunity to provide a seven-month update on what the UK Labour
Government has already done for Wales to deliver on our manifesto
promises.

I have contributed to this debate every year since 2015, but this was
my first time speaking as a member of the UK Government. It was an
honour to do so alongside Welsh Labour colleagues from across the
country, standing united in our commitment to delivering for Wales.

 

In just seven months, we have already invested billions to drive
economic growth, raise living standards and put more money in
peoples’ pockets. New jobs created. A record-breaking budget
settlement for the Welsh Government with an extra £1.7bn to spend on
our Welsh public services. A big increase in funding for South Wales
Police and forces right across the country. Clean energy projects
funded and underway, and a relationship between the UK and Welsh
Governments that has been transformed. The result: We now have two
Labour governments prioritising what people in Wales want, need and
deserve.

Watch in full below:

[Video] [[link removed]]

 

DEFENCE SPENDING

As the conflict in Ukraine continues to unfold, Putin’s aggression
has not only disrupted peace in Europe but has brought the global
balance of power into sharp focus. The Prime Minister has made it
clear that upholding national security is this government’s first
duty.

 

Following discussions with our US and European partners, the Prime
Minister has announced that from April 2027, defence spending will
rise to 2.5% of GDP, with a clear ambition to reach 3% in the next
Parliament. 

 

This extra funding is necessary to bolster our security and keep us
safe. But it also brings opportunities for many people in Wales who
work in the defence sector, making jobs more secure and creating new
jobs in defence manufacturing.

 

A NEW DEAL FOR WORKERS

This month, I joined my colleagues and friends in the trades union
movement to celebrate Heart Union's Week. Without the years of work of
trade unions, we wouldn't have the rights many of us take for granted
today, like paid annual leave, maternity leave and pay. There's still
much more to be done to tackle injustices in the workplace.

 

Labour's New Deal for Working People will transform the workplace. By
working in collaboration with our trade union partners, the UK Labour
Government is busy pushing legislative measures through Parliament at
the moment that will:

* End exploitative zero-hour contracts
* Ban fire and rehire
* Provide day one rights at work
* Strengthen trade union rights
* Ensure fair pay

Polls show that people in Wales overwhelmingly back these measures.
Yet Nigel Farage and his Reform MPs all voted against this important
piece of legislation. Only Labour is on the side of the workers in
Wales.

 

TACKLING KNIFE CRIME

It is far too easy for young people to get hold of a knife, often with
life-changing consequences. We’ve all seen the devastating impact
of knife crime in Cardiff East.

 

Our Labour Government has made it an urgent priority to address knife
crime and the online market that facilitates it. We are investing in
a new dedicated police unit to go after those who are breaking the law
and putting children and teenagers’ lives at risk.

 

We’ve set an ambitious target to halve knife crime over the next
decade, and we’ll pursue every possible avenue to save young lives
and reach this target.

 

RANEEM’S LAW

Domestic abuse affects more than 2 million people (overwhelmingly
women) every year, yet only 1 in 5 victims are estimated to report
incidents to the police.

This UK Labour Government is taking urgent action to tackle violence
against women and girls. The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has
announced the launch of Raneem’s Law – a Labour manifesto
commitment to introduce the first domestic abuse specialists in 999
control rooms. 

This is a crucial part of our mission to better protect victims,
pursue those who commit these appalling crimes, and halve violence
against women and girls within a decade. 

 

CLEANING UP OUR WATER WAYS

The UK Labour Government is taking decisive action to clean up our
water sector, tackle environmental degradation, and hold water
companies to account after years of inaction.

The Water (Special Measures) Bill will ensure the bonuses of water
executives are tied to environmental performance; customers will have
stronger avenues to hold companies to account, and compensation for
service failures—such as ‘boil water’ notices—will be
doubled. 

Read more about the measures Labour is taking to clean up our
waterways here
[[link removed]].

 

CARDIFF LABOUR STUDENTS VISIT PARLIAMENT

The transformative change being delivered by this UK Labour Government
wouldn't be possible without the support and tireless activism of
Labour Students.

It was a pleasure to give them a warm Welsh Labour welcome to
Parliament alongside my colleagues, Alex Barros-Curtis MP, Jessica
Morden MP and Catherine Fookes MP.

 

[Labour Rose]
 

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