Thanks for reading my March 2025 newsletter. I hope it gives you a
flavour of what I have been doing here at home, in Parliament and
across Wales this month, on your behalf. 

I and my team are here to help all year around. I am out knocking
doors to listen to residents each week, but you can also easily
contact me 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]]

Tiktok [[link removed]]
Youtube [[link removed]]

 

NEWS FROM CARDIFF EAST

 

CARDIFF PARKWAY

Following the First Minister’s very welcome announcement that
Cardiff Parkway has the green light, I continue to work with Vaughan
Gething MS to ensure that we attract investment and good jobs for
local residents. This month I met with the investors behind the
Parkway development and with Vaughan so we can continue our campaign
for Cardiff East to get the opportunities you deserve.

 

HOWARDIAN PRIMARY SCHOOL QUESTION TIME

Pupils at HOWARDIAN PRIMARY SCHOOL are taking the lead in protecting
our local environment in Penylan.
 
After receiving a lot of very thoughtful letters from Year 6 students,
I went along to meet the whole of Year 6 to hear their concerns about
fly-tipping and littering and we had a big question time session where
I was grilled on everything from jobs, YouTube, recycling and the
performance of the Welsh rugby and football teams!
 
Whenever I meet students in our schools, I am always struck by how
important the environment is to them. I was pleased to be able to tell
the students that CARDIFF LABOUR COUNCIL is investing an additional
£1 MILLION to improve street cleanliness and recycling. Let’s all
follow the example set by these young leaders and play our part in
keeping Cardiff East clean and raising our recycling levels.

 

LLANRUMNEY HALL

I had a fascinating morning at Llanrumney Hall with Vaughan Gething
MS, South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Emma Wools and local
Llanrumney Councillor Lee Bridgeman, meeting the Chair of the
Trustees, Christine Borley, to learn more about the incredible work
being done by the Llanrumney Hall Community Trust.
 
Once the family home of Captain Morgan (of rum fame), this historic
hall is now a thriving community hub, providing extensive support for
local residents including the Food Pantry which offers affordable food
to its members. The Hall needs volunteers to help run it, so if you
have some spare time and think you could help, please contact:

Phone: 02920 001441

Email: [email protected]

 

WOMEN INVESTORS

Last week the Chancellor Rachel Reeves and I, alongside First Minister
Eluned Morgan, met with the Invest in Women’s Taskforce at Tramshed
in Cardiff. As the first women in our roles, we’re committed to
championing the success of female entrepreneurs to unlock their full
potential.

 

Female business founder teams in Wales received just 2.3% of equity
investment in 2024, whilst all male teams received more than 75%.
Leading figures from Wales's business and investment community came
together so we could discuss boosting female entrepreneurship. 

 

The Invest in Women Taskforce's investment pool has already met its
initial £250 million target to support female entrepreneurs across
the UK, with opportunity for more institutional investment to increase
the fund’s impact in Wales and across the UK.

 

CHANGES TO 20MPH SPEED LIMITS

​​​​​​​​​​​The change of default speed limit in
built up areas across Wales took place in September 2023. Since then,
the Welsh Government and Cardiff Council have consulted widely, asking
residents which roads they would like to revert back to 30mph, where
appropriate.

 

Residents in Cardiff East have repeatedly raised concerns about the
speed limit on Newport Road. I am pleased that Cardiff Council has
listened and will change the speed limit back to 30mph, with the
exception of the stretch of road alongside St Illtyd's R.C. High
School, that remains at 20mph because of the proximity of the school.

 

You can read more about other changes in Cardiff here
[[link removed].].

 

£140 MILLION UPGRADE FOR CARDIFF CENTRAL STATION

Cardiff Central Station is set to undergo a £140 million
transformation, improving capacity, reducing overcrowding, and
improving passenger accessibility.

 

The project, funded by Labour’s UK Government, the Welsh Labour
Government and Cardiff Capital Region, will modernise the station and
complement the Cardiff Parkway development, supporting rail
infrastructure and economic growth across South Wales.

 

Read more and see what the finished station will look like here
[[link removed]].

 

HAVE YOUR SAY ON CARDIFF'S FUTURE

Cardiff's Replacement Local Development Plan (LDP) will help shape
what our city looks like 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.

 

I’d really encourage residents to read the plan and give feedback.
You can have your say on the proposals here
[[link removed]].

 

GOOD NEWS FOR GARDENER'S IN CARDIFF EAST

Garden waste collections returned this month after a break for the
winter. Following feedback from local residents in Cardiff East, I’m
pleased to confirm that Cardiff Labour Council will provide garden
waste collections all year round. This will be particularly helpful
with leaf collections in the autumn, which I know from lots of
conversations with residents, will be very welcome.

Cardiff is one of the best recycling cities in the world and garden
waste collections help our city reach its targets. So it’s really
important that we all recycle the right materials in the right way. To
keep compost of a high quality, please only put organic garden waste
in your recycling bags. Remove any non-garden waste items before
collection and we can all help push Cardiff even higher up the
recycling charts.

Read more on the changes here
[[link removed]]

 

Citizen Advice Support

From housing and money advice to benefit checks, Citizens Advice
Cardiff & Vale can help residents across Cardiff East.

 

Last year alone, they supported 3,213 residents in need. A big thank
you to the team who work tirelessly on behalf of people across Cardiff
East. Get in touch by calling 0808 278 7925 or webchat here
[[link removed]].

 

ACROSS WALES

 

DELIVERING ON THE PRIORITIES OF WELSH PEOPLE

Last October, the UK Labour Government’s budget delivered a
record-breaking £21 billion settlement for Welsh Government - the
largest since devolution.
 
It included an extra £1.6bn for Welsh public services. The Welsh
Labour Government has now passed its own budget with all that
additional funding. Plaid and Conservative Senedd Members inexplicably
voted against the budget and the extra investment. 

We’re already seeing the benefit of this additional funding with NHS
waiting lists and times coming down for the second month in a row.
This shows the power of two Labour Governments for people across
Wales: cutting waiting lists, improving schools, investing in
transport and creating jobs.

 

£100 MILLION FOR TOWNS IN WALES

The UK Labour Government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods is fantastic news
for Wales, providing £100 million to boost growth by investing in
high streets, parks, cultural venues, youth clubs and more.
 
We are working with the Welsh Labour Government to help local people
from Rhyl to Merthyr Tydfil transform their communities. 
 
Targeted local funding is a vital part of the UK Labour Government’s
mission to grow the economy and raise living standards.  

[Video] [[link removed]]

 

CELTIC FREEPORT LAUNCH

The Celtic Freeport has been officially launched. The Freeport covers
the Ports of Port Talbot and Milford Haven and is essentially, an
economic and industrial zone with business rates, tax, employment and
investment incentives that brings the prospect of 11,000 new jobs
across South Wales a step closer.
 
The UK Labour Government and Welsh Labour Government have provided a
package of incentives, which will be supplemented by up to £26
million from the UK Labour Government, again showing the benefits of
two Labour Governments working in partnership to deliver for Wales.

 

SUPPORTING GRASSROOTS SPORT

Grassroots sport is at the heart of communities throughout Wales and
I’m really pleased that over £6 million is being invested by the UK
Labour Government to improve facilities across the country.

 

This means that people the length and breadth of Wales will be able to
access the health and social benefits that sport brings.

[Video] [[link removed]]

 

SIX NATIONS: FREE-TO-AIR

The Guinness Six Nations is the highlight of the rugby calendar. I
have always supported the tournament remaining free to air.
 
So it was great news this month that BBC and ITV have secured the
broadcast rights for the Six Nations for the next four years, free to
air, inspiring the next generation of rugby players across Wales.

[Video] [[link removed]]

 

WALES IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

As part of St David’s Day and International Women’s’ Day
celebrations, Eluned Morgan and I spent a day in Paris, meeting with
key French industry leaders and investors in Wales to highlight that
Wales is open for more business, especially in the clean energy and
constructions sectors.

 

Our discussions at the UK Embassy focused on strengthening our
international partnerships, attracting new investment, and promoting
Wales’s cutting-edge industries and world-class talent.

 

It was also a day of Welsh women firsts to celebrate International
Women’s Day. I’m the first female Labour Secretary of State for
Wales. Eluned Morgan is our first female First Minister and Dame Menna
Rawlings, is the first female UK Ambassador to France. We met with
women leaders from across France and Cerys Matthews joined us at the
end of the day for a St David’s Day event showcasing Welsh music,
food and drink that is exported to France every year.

 

This Labour government has put women’s rights at the heart of our
legislative agenda. Within months of taking office, we introduced
legislation that will transform working life for women across the UK.
Learn more here
[[link removed]].  

[Video] [[link removed]]

 

SOUTH WALES MICROCHIPS POWERING THE UK

Did you know we have a world-leading compound semiconductor
(microchips) cluster in South Wales? From mobile phones, computers and
electric vehicles, to wind turbines, medical equipment and banking
systems, we all rely on microchips, every minute of every day. And we
design and make them in a unique, specialist business cluster in
Newport and Cardiff.

 

This month I visited two of those businesses in Newport with my
cabinet colleague, the Science Secretary, Peter Kyle, to demonstrate
the potential for growing the sector and creating new skilled and well
paid jobs in Wales.
 
Following my visit, we received fantastic news with the announcement
of £250 million investment by Vishay Industries into their factory in
Newport. This is the largest microchip factory in the UK and is
critically and nationally significant infrastructure. The investment
will secure jobs and bring new jobs into our region.

[Video] [[link removed]]

 

INVESTING IN RENEWABLE ENERGY

I was thrilled to announce a landmark £600 million private investment
in Bute Energy’s onshore wind farms, which will be developed across
Wales, generating the clean energy we need whilst creating 2,000 jobs.
 
This major deal marks a significant milestone for Wales’s renewable
energy sector, reinforcing our position as a leader in clean energy
investment.

[Video] [[link removed]]

 

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR STEELWORKERS

The past 18 months have been incredibly difficult for steelworkers in
and around Port Talbot, their families and for the wider South Wales
steel community. I said we would back them in whatever ways were
needed.
 
We are helping people learn new skills and set up new businesses, but
we also need to help protect people’s mental health, because good
health is crucial to getting into new work and staying in work. 
 
By boosting direct support services, we are investing in the people of
the area and supporting growth in the local economy.
 
Read more about the support the UK Labour Government is offering here
[[link removed]].

[Video] [[link removed]]

 

INVESTING IN SOLAR ENERGY

The UK Labour Government has announced an extra £2.8 million to
install solar panels on schools and other public buildings in Wales.
This builds on the £2.3 million already invested by the Welsh Labour
Government, helping save thousands on energy bills.
 
Through Great British Energy, we are strengthening energy
independence, investing in public services, and reducing bills for
communities across Wales.

 

NEWPORT TRANSPORTER BRIDGE

The Newport Transporter Bridge is an iconic symbol of Wales’
engineering heritage, standing proudly in the Newport skyline since
1906. Originally designed to allow people to cross the River Usk
without obstructing tall ships entering the docks, the bridge remains
a remarkable feat of engineering and is one of only three transporter
bridges in the UK.
 
Earlier this year, I was pleased to announce a £5 million UK Labour
Government fund to support essential repairs and maintenance to ensure
the bridge’s preservation. It was an honour to be invited to the
newly built visitor centre to learn more about its history and the
plans for its 120th anniversary year next year. 
 
During the visit, I also took part in the launch of Newport's new
Culture Strategy, along with the opening of the city’s very own
FOCUS Wales music festival. It’s exciting to see Newport celebrating
its history and putting its unique culture at the heart of its future.

 

IN PARLIAMENT

 

CHANCELLOR'S SPRING STATEMENT

On March 26, 2025, Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the Spring
Statement, outlining the progress made since the general election and
the next steps in Labour’s plan for change, restoring economic and
political stability, fixing the foundations and rebuilding our public
services. We were elected to provide security for working people, and
that’s what we’re doing.
 
Since the election, there have been three interest rate cuts, the
highest level of inward investment into the UK for 20 years, falling
inflation in February and tomorrow, the biggest increases in the
National Minimum Wages and the National Living Wage take effect, with
up to 150,000 Welsh workers benefitting from a pay rise. For full time
workers aged 18 to 20 a rise of up to £2500 a year, and for those
over 20, a rise of up to £1400 a year.

We’ve created 190,000 jobs and delivered the biggest ever Welsh
Government budget settlement since the dawn of devolution with £1.6bn
extra investment into our public services that is bringing down NHS
waiting lists.

 

By prioritising fairness and economic growth, we are cracking down on
tax evasion, raising an additional £1bn to fix our public services.
We are reforming the welfare system to help more people get into work
whilst protecting the most vulnerable.
 
Our planning reforms will drive economic growth, unlock investment,
and create jobs. We are delivering on our manifesto commitments,
putting working people first to deliver a brighter future for our
country.
 
Watch my reactions to the spring statement here
[[link removed]].

 

WELSH QUESTIONS

Your two Labour Governments are proving the power of
partnership—delivering on the priorities that matter to people
across Wales:

 

✅ Economic growth and raising living standards
✅ Cutting NHS waiting lists, making our public services fit for the
future
✅ Clean power by 2030
✅ Safer Streets and opportunities for all

 

At Welsh Questions, I welcomed the approval of the Welsh Labour
Government’s budget—securing an extra £1.6 billion to deliver for
Wales. It’s deeply disappointing that Plaid Cymru and the Tories in
the Senedd, chose to vote against this vital investment in our public
services.

 

Watch my exchanges at the dispatch box here
[[link removed]].

 

GETTING BRITAIN BACK TO WORK

Our social security system must be a safety net for all of us when we
need it, now and in the future. We inherited a Tory welfare system
that is the worst of all worlds.

 

It has the wrong incentives. It discourages people from working. The
people who really need a safety net are still not getting the dignity
and support that they need. And the taxpayer is funding an
ever-spiralling bill, due to hit £70bn a year by 2029/30. The system
currently costs more than the entire Home Office (including Policing,
Immigration, Counter Terrorism), Justice system and Ministry of
Defence expenditure combined.

 

It is unsustainable, indefensible and above all, unfair on the people
involved in it. Millions of people being failed, when they could be
prospering with the right support.

 

The principles behind the proposed reform are clear. Supporting those
who need support. Restoring trust and fairness in the system. Fixing
the broken assessment process and the disincentives. And supporting
people to start, stay and succeed in work.

 

We are taking decisive action to fix this broken Tory system -
supporting those who can work, whilst protecting those who cannot. 

 

Read more about the reforms here
[[link removed]].

[Video] [[link removed]]

 

INVESTING IN DEFENCE

Over the past 14 years, the Tories hollowed out and underfunded our
Armed Forces. This UK Labour Government’s historic increase in
defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027 will
boost national security and make defence manufacturing an engine for
economic growth.
 
Increasing our investment in defence is not only bolstering our
national security at a time of global political uncertainty, it is an
opportunity to put more money into working people’s pockets and
boost economic growth. Wales has a strong defence manufacturing
industrial base and I expect to see investment and jobs in Wales a a
consequence of this increased defence spending.

 

The UK Labour Government will also help smaller businesses in every
nation and region to access this investment in defence, making
communities better off and opening up more opportunities to train for
good, skilled, productive jobs.

 

A NEW DEAL FOR WORKING PEOPLE

Labour promised real change for working people - and we’re
delivering it. Within weeks of taking office, we brought forward
proposals for the biggest upgrade to workers rights in a generation.
This month, our New Deal for Working People took a giant leap forward
after it passed all of its stages in the House of Commons. Here's what
it means for you: 
 
✅ Ending Exploitative Zero-Hour Contracts
✅ Banning Fire and Rehire
✅Providing Day One Rights at Work
✅ Strengthening Trade Union Rights
✅ Ensuring Fair Pay
 
This UK Labour Government is making work pay—delivering fairness,
security, and prosperity for every worker across the UK. Read more in
my recent blog
[[link removed]].

 

MAKING OUR STREETS SAFER

Labour's flagship Crime & Policing Bill will tackle the epidemic of
anti-social behaviour, theft and shoplifting that exploded on the
Tories’ watch.
 
We’re giving police stronger powers to tackle mobile phone thefts.
We’re introducing Respect Orders to tackle the worst anti-social
behaviour offenders. We’re ending the effective immunity for anyone
caught shoplifting goods worth below £200, which was shamefully
introduced by the Tories. And we’re dealing with the scourge of
off-road bikes, giving police new powers to seize vehicles causing
chaos in our communities.
 
Labour is determined to put law and order back at the heart of our
communities.

 

DELIVERING SWIFTER JUSTICE

The Tories left us with a broken courts system with justice delayed
and denied for far too many victims.
 
The UK Labour Government is delivering swifter justice for victims by
increasing Crown Court sittings to a record 110,000 days next year,
helping clear case backlogs and ensuring faster convictions.
 
We’ve also boosted funding for court infrastructure to £148.5
million, improving the justice system for everyone.
 
Labour is committed to making our streets safer and reforming a broken
system. Read more about how we are delivering swifter justice here
[[link removed]].

 

ENDING UNFAIRNESS FOR LEASEHOLDERS

For too many leaseholders, the reality of homeownership has been far
from the dream they were promised - facing escalating ground rents,
unreasonable charges, and unfair conditions.
 
Unlike many other countries that moved away from leasehold years ago,
the UK remains a global outlier. The Tories failed to address this
injustice, but the UK Labour Government is determined to change it.
 
We are committed to giving leaseholders more rights, protections, and
control over their homes, and ending the outdated and unfair leasehold
system. A key part of this is making commonhold the default tenure for
all.

 

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