PENTWYN LEISURE CENTRE UPDATE

I visited Pentwyn Leisure Centre to inspect the progress being made on the new swimming pool and wet play facilities.

Construction is now underway on the new 25-metre pool, which will include a raising floor. This allows for a range of different swimming and other water activities and will also reduce the costs of heating the pool in a really innovative way. A water-play area and splash zone are also being added, designed especially for families and younger swimmers.

The Leisure Centre will remain open for the duration of the works which are due to be completed by the end of this year.

SUPPORTING PENSIONERS IN CARDIFF EAST

This month, pensioners across Cardiff East will see a £470 increase in their state pension thanks to the UK Labour Government’s commitment to the Pensions Triple Lock.

Supporting pensioners locally remains a top priority for me. This month I held my third Pension Advice Day in Roath at The Gate. A variety of organisations were on hand to offer help with water bill support, home energy efficiency, money and debt advice and benefit checks to make sure residents are receiving everything they’re entitled to.

It was great that a number of local residents who attended were immediately referred for extra support and will be receiving more help as a result of attending the Advice Day. Thanks to all the residents who came along.

CARDIFF MPS STATEMENT ON CARDIFF UNIVERSITY

In early February, we issued a joint statement to our constituents across Cardiff, setting out our position on Cardiff University’s proposed job cuts and structural changes.

We remain deeply concerned about the University’s proposals, particularly regarding the number and range of jobs at risk, the restructuring that will affect the university experience for students, and the wider knock-on effects these changes will have on our city and surrounding areas, and indeed the whole of Wales. We continue to urge the university to take all steps possible to avoid compulsory redundancies.

Since our initial meeting with the Vice Chancellor in the week of the announcement, we have continued to directly raise concerns with the University, and again met with the Vice Chancellor and senior management recently.

We have also continued to meet with employees at risk, student representatives and trade unions, as well as the UK Government’s Higher Education Minister and members of the Welsh Government.

Whilst we are grateful for the engagement that we have had with the University leadership and appreciate the extremely challenging financial situation that they face, we are alarmed by the continued concerns being brought to our attention about some aspects of the consultation process, which has now passed the halfway stage.

As the Members of Parliament for Cardiff, we remain committed to working with all parties in the coming months to achieve the best possible outcome for staff, students, the University and the wider community.

CARDIFF FOODBANK

During the Easter recess, I visited Cardiff Foodbank’s warehouse to meet with staff and volunteers and learn more about the recent trends in Cardiff East.

Between October and December 2024, Cardiff Foodbank received over 58,000kg of food donations from the generous residents across the city.

The staff and volunteers at Cardiff Foodbank are doing outstanding work, and their efforts are essential in ensuring people in need receive the support they require.

If you'd like to get involved, you can donate food, volunteer your time, or provide financial contributions.

Click here for more details on how you can get involved.

COED CAERDYDD - FOREST CARDIFF

Cardiff Labour’s One Planet Cardiff strategy set out a very ambitious goal to increase the tree coverage in our city from 18.9% to 25% and create an ‘Urban Forest’.

In just 4 years, Coed Caerdydd has planted over 100,000 trees across Cardiff. This is a remarkable milestone which will reduce the pollution in our air, mitigate flooding, keep people cool in summer and provide habitats for wildlife across the city.

Thousands of saplings have been planted across Cardiff - but I’m especially proud the 100,000th found its home in Greenway Park, Rumney. A huge shout-out to Chloe from Coed Caerdydd for marking this milestone in Cardiff East!

I’m also proud to have played my small part by joining volunteers at Bute Park Cardiff's Community Orchard to plant the historic Gabalfa apple tree - once feared lost for more than 100 years, now making a return for the first time.

Our Cardiff Labour Council promised a Stronger, Fairer, Greener Cardiff and that is exactly what they are delivering. Read more about the project and how you can get involved here.

OPEN UNIVERSITY

It was a pleasure to meet with Ben Lewis, Director of the Open University in Wales and his team to discuss how flexible higher education is benefiting students in Cardiff East and across Wales.

This UK Labour Government has made it their mission to ensure opportunity for all. The Open University is leading the way in this, with 76% of its students from Cardiff East coming from deprived communities. I was especially pleased to hear that this flexibility is having a huge impact on women, with 78% of Open University students in our area being women.

It’s also great to see that some of the most popular courses in our area, like Health and Social Care, are helping to address challenges we face in our National Health Service.

ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND DRAMA

This month I paid another visit to the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (RWCMD), our world-leading centre for performance and design that attracts the best creative talent from around the globe.

I caught up with Principal Helena Gaunt to discuss a range of issues affecting the College and students, and also met Tim Rhys-Evans (of Only Men Aloud fame), and SU President, Tiggy, who is a jazz trombonist student.

During my visit, I also had the chance to listen to Tiggy play during Amser Jazz Time rehearsals.

It’s always inspiring to see the talent at RWCMD which every year continues to power our culture and growing creative industries.

SALVATION ARMY DONATION CENTRE OPENS IN PENYLAN

The Salvation Army has been a visible presence in communities across Cardiff East for many decades, supporting children, families and older people experiencing homelessness.

This support wouldn’t be possible without their charity shops and generous donations from the public.

I paid a visit to their new Donation Centre on Colchester Avenue in Penylan which was launched in March.

The centre is open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm and offers volunteering places for members of the local community.

Click here to learn more.

SAFER STREETS IN CARDIFF EAST

Residents across Cardiff East contact me regularly about ongoing issues with anti-social behaviour in some areas of the constituency. The UK Labour Government was elected on a manifesto to make our streets safer, and I have been working with South Wales Police to ensure that residents’ concerns are listened to and acted upon.

This month, I met with the Inspector James Hill, who leads the neighbourhood policing team covering Adamsdown and Roath to discuss specific problems faced by residents and understand how the force is taking action on issues I have previously raised with Chief Constable.

This year, South Wales Police will receive funding to recruit an extra 70 Police Officers and 9 Special Constables. After 14 years of cuts under the Conservatives, this investment is a step towards rebuilding neighbourhood policing, giving residents a visible, reliable police presence and a clear point of contact when they need support. I’m pleased that new recruitment to the local team in Adamsdown and Roath means they are now at full strength.

CARDIFF EAST SCHOOL FOOD HERO

A big thank you to everyone who took part in my search for Cardiff East’s ‘School Food Hero’. I was overwhelmed by the number of submissions, all highlighting the brilliant work of school catering staff across Cardiff East.

It’s been great to hear so many positive stories about people making a real difference in our local schools. It was a tough choice with so many deserving names, but I’m really pleased to announce my nomination: Lisa Mahoney from St Cadoc's R.C. Primary School.

Lisa’s dedication to serving healthy meals and creating a positive, caring atmosphere for every pupil hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Lisa will now go forward as my nomination for Jamie Oliver’s Good School Food Awards. Good luck Lisa!

PUBS TO STAY OPEN TO MARK VE DAY

With parties planned across the country to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, the Prime Minister has announced that pubs and bars across the country will be able to keep serving until 1am to mark the occasion.

This will mean venues with a usual closing time of 11pm will be able to keep their doors open for a further two hours on the day. There are several local community events happening and I will be taking part in both community events locally and the national VE Day events at Parliament and Westminster Abbey.

NEWS FROM ACROSS WALES

NHS WAITING LISTS COMING DOWN

It’s excellent news that waiting times for the NHS in Wales have continued to fall for the third month in a row.

The UK labour Government provided the Welsh Government with a record £21 billion budget settlement to fund our Welsh public services and the additional funding and hard work of all our NHS staff is making a real difference.

Wales has two Labour Governments working together and our partnership is delivering benefits for people and communities across the country. Learn more about our progress here.

BACKING OUR STEEL INDUSTRY

The UK Labour Government will always do whatever it takes to protect our steel industry and steel workers - right across the UK.

The Tories’ neglected UK steel for 14 years and refused to make crucial decisions to support the future of the industry. This dereliction of duty left Port Talbot on a cliff-edge on the day of the general election.

In just ten weeks we negotiated a better deal with Tata which secured the immediate future of Port Talbot; laid the foundations for future investment and secured enhanced protections for every Tata employee in Wales.

Unlike the Conservative Government which promised £80 million to support Port Talbot but didn’t get a single penny out of the door to help workers because it was completely unfunded, this Labour Government has delivered the £80 million and over £50 million has already been allocated to retrain and reskill workers, create new jobs, protect the local supply chain, and support the mental health of those impacted by the Tata transition.

The deal struck with Tata is a strong one where steelmaking and steel workers are supported by a genuine partnership between the UK Government and the private sector.

And we are acting with urgency once again to protect the industry in Scunthorpe.

This Labour Government promised that we would deliver for our steel communities and we are doing just that.

Watch my recent interviews on how Labour is backing our steel industry here.

MAJOR BOOST FOR CLEAN ENERGY INDUSTRY

Welsh families and businesses will benefit from greater energy security as a major carbon capture and storage (CCS) network moves closer to construction, supporting over 2,000 jobs across North Wales and the North West of England.

I recently visited Heidelberg Materials in Padeswood, where plans are underway for a £600 million investment to capture up to 800,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year. This project alone will create around 50 new jobs and play a major role in reducing industrial emissions.

The UK Labour Government’s agreement with Eni unlocks £2 billion in supply chain contracts to deliver large-scale CCS infrastructure, which is key to our plans to develop a world-leading carbon capture industry.

For North Wales, that means real investment in clean infrastructure, new opportunities in construction and engineering, and a boost for the region’s future in low-carbon power. Watch my latest video on our plans for carbon capture here.

SUPPORTING THE LIFE SCIENCES SECTOR

During my recent visit to North Wales, I saw firsthand how Wockhardt UK and Ipsen Biopharm are leading the way in the life sciences sector.

At Wockhardt’s Wrexham facility, I toured the manufacturing plant that played a key role in producing the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine and met with apprentices developing the skills crucial to the future of healthcare.

Nearby, Ipsen Biopharm is expanding its research and production capabilities with a £100 million investment in their Wrexham site, which focuses on treatments for neurological conditions.

Together, these companies are driving growth in North Wales, creating highly skilled jobs, and reinforcing the area’s reputation as a hub for life sciences. Learn more about my visit here.

SUPPORTING THE TECHNOLOGY SECTOR

Driving economic growth is at the heart of the UK Labour Government’s Plan for Change and the technology sector will play a vital role in achieving that ambition, offering high-quality, secure jobs for the future.

Wales is already punching above its weight in the tech industry but we must go further. This month, I hosted a roundtable with the Technology Leadership Council to discuss how Wales’s thriving tech sector can help deliver on our missions, boosting economic growth, transforming public services and improving lives.

Read more here.

INVEST IN WALES CONFERENCE

This month, I attended the 'Invest in Wales' Conference, hosted by the Development Bank of Wales and Schroders at the Principality Stadium. The event brought together key stakeholders to explore how strategic investment can drive economic growth across Wales.

Our discussions focused on scaling up investment and unlocking private finance for the energy transition and investing in housing and social infrastructure to strengthen our communities.

It was great to be joined by former Welsh International, Alun Wyn Jones, who shared powerful insights on seizing opportunity.

GREATER PROTECTION FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE VICTIMS

The UK Government is committed to making communities safer, and reducing violence against women and girls is a crucial part of this effort. A trial of new domestic abuse orders has been launched in North Wales to provide stronger protection for victims and simplify their access to help.

These new orders will give courts greater powers to protect victims, ensuring they have the support they need and that perpetrators are held accountable. The trial aims to prevent further harm to victims by offering more stringent legal safeguards and making it easier for those affected by domestic abuse to seek support.

For victims in North Wales, this trial represents a vital step forward in their journey to safety. If successful, these orders could be rolled out nationwide, helping to protect survivors and create safer communities across the UK.

Read more about our plans here.

BOOSTING EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT

Our UK Labour Government is investing £10 million to get people back into work. Blaenau Gwent, Denbighshire and Neath Port Talbot have been selected as areas where we can make the most difference.

Work improves physical and mental health and raises people’s standard of living. The trailblazer scheme ensures that anyone who’s able to work is helped into employment.

It’s an approach that we know works and builds on the success of the Welsh Government’s Young Person’s Guarantee which already provides support for young people to gain skills or get into work.

Read more about the UK Labour Government's trailblazer scheme here or watch my recent update on the scheme here.

PROTECTED STATUS FOR WELSH FOOD AND DRINK

Dovey Native Botanical Gin, Pembrokeshire Native Oysters, Pembrokeshire Rock Oysters, and Welsh Heather Honey have now been formally recognised by the UK Labour Government for their unique qualities and strong regional heritage.

This recognition gives these products special status, supporting local producers and helping their businesses grow. It also ensures that consumers can continue to enjoy genuine, high-quality Welsh food and drink with confidence.

The Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Status will play an important role in promoting and celebrating the rich variety of Welsh produce, and boosting growth in one of our most important sectors.

Read more in statement here.

A PAY RISE FOR 160,000 WORKERS

Twenty-six years ago this month, the National Minimum Wage came into force. This bold and forward-thinking policy that was delivered by the last Labour Government continues to transform lives today.

This month alone, over 160,000 people in Wales received a pay rise. For full time workers this is up to £1,400 a year, and for those aged 18–20, an annual rise of up to £2,500.

Back in 1998, the Conservatives claimed introducing a minimum wage would damage the economy. They were wrong. Today, they support the National Living Wage — whilst voting against the Labour Government’s budget that delivered these increases to the lowest paid workers.

From raising the National Living Wage to delivering improved employment rights and protections, Labour will always stand up for working people. Read more here.

HOMES FIT FOR HEROES

For far too long, military families have been stuck in housing that doesn’t meet even the most basic standards. That’s unacceptable.

Labour’s new Consumer Charter puts service families first. By bringing 36,000 military homes back under public ownership, we’re taking control and providing homes that truly reflect the respect and gratitude we have for the people who serve our country. Read more here.

TACKLING THE DRIVING TEST BACKLOG

The Tories left thousands of learner drivers in a growing backlog, facing record delays to take their driving test. This isn’t just frustrating for young people, it’s holding them back from work and opportunity.

That’s why the UK Labour Government announced this month that we’re taking immediate action to slash waiting times and open up thousands of extra driving tests each month.

Here’s how Labour is getting things moving:

Qualified DVSA staff in other roles will return to the frontline to conduct practical tests
The number of permanent trainers is being doubled to fast-track the training of new examiners
Overtime pay incentives are being reintroduced to boost examiner capacity
A fast-tracked consultation is being launched to crack down on booking system abuse by bots

Labour is clearing the backlog - and clearing the road for opportunity. Read more about our plans here.

SMASHING THE CRIMINAL GANGS

Smuggling gangs are profiting from human misery, driving illegal immigration and threatening national security. The Tories lost control, but this UK Labour Government is taking action to tackle their criminal trade.

We have introduced landmark legislation to give law enforcement counter-terror style powers to smash the criminal gangs and secure UK borders.

The Bill will provide stronger law enforcement powers to take earlier and more effective action to disrupt, investigate and prosecute organised criminal gangs.

This includes making it illegal to:

Supply or handle items suspected of being used for immigration crime.
Endanger another life at sea.
Collect information to prepare for boat crossings.

The Bill will also allow law enforcement to arrest those suspected of facilitating people smuggling before smuggling takes place.

TAKING ACTION TO RESTORE TRUST IN POLICING

The UK Labour Government is taking decisive action to restore trust in policing with new rules that will see officers who fail background checks automatically dismissed.

For too long, where officers had been flagged for serious concerns, such as domestic or sexual abuse, forces lacked the power to remove individuals clearly unfit to serve.

These new measures will ensure that those who pose a risk to the public or their colleagues can no longer stay in post.

This is a crucial step toward rebuilding confidence in policing and within policing and ensuring communities can once again feel protected and respected by those who are there to keep us safe.

CLEANING UP OUR WATERWAYS

Water company bosses who cover up illegal sewage spills will face up to two years in prison under Labour’s landmark Water (Special Measures) Act 2025. This is the toughest action ever taken against law-breaking water executives.

Since privatisation, not a single water boss has been jailed despite widespread illegal sewage dumping into our rivers, lakes, and seas. Some companies have even obstructed investigations by withholding key evidence.

Labour’s new law changes that, with tougher penalties to ensure accountability at the top, finally ending the culture of impunity. The risk of a jail sentence will serve as a powerful deterrent and force companies to invest in upgrading outdated infrastructure.

This is a major step forward in protecting our environment. Labour promised to clean up our waterways and we will. Read more here.

PUBLIC AUTHORITIES (FRAUD, ERROR & RECOVERY) BILL

Fraud against the public sector costs the UK billions of pounds every year. This is money that should be going to schools, hospitals, and the people who need it most. Labour's Public Authorities (Fraud, Error & Recovery) Bill will fix this.

The Bill will give the government stronger powers to catch and stop criminals who cheat the system, with new tools to seize cash, luxury goods, and mobile phones used in benefit fraud. This is expected to save up to £1.5 billion over the next five years.

This isn't just about being tough. The Bill will also help protect people who make honest mistakes, by spotting errors earlier and stopping overpayments before they build up.

With stronger checks, better data, and proper oversight, this is a fairer, smarter way to protect taxpayers’ money and ensure public services get the funding they deserve.

FOOTBALL GOVERNANCE BILL

Football is more than just a game, it’s a way of life for millions across the country. Yet for too long, fans have been pushed to the sidelines while poor decisions and reckless spending threatened the clubs they hold dear. Labour's strengthened Football Governance Bill will put supporters back at the heart of the sport.

The Bill will tackle the root causes of instability by cracking down on rogue owners and directors, and introducing a new club licensing system to ensure better oversight of how clubs are run.

The Bill will bring greater financial transparency, consistency, and stronger fan engagement throughout the football pyramid. This approach is designed to protect clubs while allowing them to thrive.

Football belongs to its fans and Labour is ensuring it stays that way. Read more about the Bill here.

COMMUNITY ALCOHOL PARTNERSHIP AWARDS

I was delighted to present the Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) of the Year Wales award to Luke Fadipe (Cardiff Council) and Rhiannon Vaughan (FOR Cardiff) for their outstanding work promoting alcohol-free socialising in Cardiff East.

This Cardiff-based partnership has made a real difference by offering students fun, inclusive alternatives to drinking, from sober raves and silent discos to well-being events and creative workshops. Their efforts are helping to create a safer, more supportive nightlife culture across the city.

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