CELEBRATING 10 YEARS AS YOUR MP IN CARDIFF EAST AND CARDIFF CENTRAL

This month marked 10 years since I was first elected as your Member of
Parliament for Cardiff Central, now known as Cardiff East. I never
take for granted forget what an honour and privilege it is to have
been elected four times in those ten years. I remain your strong voice
in the constituency and in Parliament.

 

Over those ten years, I have helped tens of thousands of constituents
across whole range of issues, from financial scams, passport delays
and tax problems, to housing, visa issues and business rates, to name
just a few. If you need any advice or support, please contact me using
the details below:

02921 329736
[email protected]

You can also keep up with my work by following my social media
channels:
Facebook [[link removed]]
Twitter [[link removed]]
Instagram [[link removed]]
TikTok [[link removed]]

 

NEWS FROM ACROSS CARDIFF EAST

 

COMMEMORATING THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF VE DAY

On May 8th 1945, communities came together to celebrate the end of war
and the beginning of peace in Europe. Eighty years on, national and
local events took place to mark the anniversary.

I joined the Prime Minister and Cabinet colleagues at Westminster
Abbey for the National Service of Thanksgiving. Locally, Vaughan
Gething MS and I hosted a coffee morning for veterans, their families
and local residents at the Royal British Legion in Llanrumney to mark
this important anniversary.

Many stories were shared, remembering the sacrifices made by our
wartime generation. Together, we commemorate their legacy and ensure
it lives on.

 

150 YEARS OF ADAMSDOWN PRIMARY SCHOOL

This month, Adamsdown Primary School celebrates its 150th
anniversary. 

Labour Councillors for Adamsdown, Grace Ferguson-Thorne and Owen
Llewellyn Jones, joined in the celebrations, which showcased the
school’s rich history and Victorian heritage. The event featured the
unveiling of a new school mural, proudly opened by Cardiff’s very
own Joe Ledley.

 

As we look to the future, I am confident that Adamsdown Primary will
continue to provide the opportunities and support needed for future
pupils to succeed and thrive.

Congratulations to Mrs Thomas and all the staff for making this
milestone celebration truly memorable.

Watch my video celebrating this important milestone here
[[link removed]].

 

CARDIFF - A LIVING WAGE CITY

I was really pleased that Cardiff Labour Council’s commitment to the
Real Living Wage has been highlighted as a leading example in the
Wales Future Generations Commissioner’s 2025 report.

Long before I was elected as your MP, I campaigned for many years in
support of the Real Living Wage. Since 2012, Cardiff Council has paid
the Real Living Wage to all staff, which it gained accreditation for
in 2015. In 2019, Cardiff became the UK’s first capital city to earn
‘Living Wage City’ status. 

Thanks to the Cardiff Living Wage City Partnership, over 225 employers
are now accredited, benefiting more than 11,000 workers across our
city. This commitment has added an estimated £100 million in wages to
the local economy and helped to tackle in-work poverty.

 

CIVIL SERVICE JOBS FOR CARDIFF

Our UK Labour Government is moving more decision-making out of
Whitehall and closer to the communities they affect. Cardiff is one of
thirteen cities that will benefit from new jobs and opportunities.

Relocating Civil Service roles will not only save taxpayers money, it
will also ensure that this Government is one that better reflects the
country it serves. It’s a move that will drive economic growth
across the country by spreading opportunity more evenly.

Last month, the Prime Minister set out plans for a complete reform of
the state - and this is a central part of that plan. We’re making it
easier for talented individuals from every corner of the UK to join
the Civil Service and build their careers outside central London,
spreading opportunity for all.

Read more here
[[link removed]].

 

NEW FUNDING FOR SPACE FORGE

Pioneering Cardiff East business, Space Forge has secured major
investment from Cardiff Capital Region to support their groundbreaking
work manufacturing semiconductor materials in orbit. I couldn’t
quite get my head round it at first, when I visited Space Forge, but
it’s absolutely pioneering technology.

Led by Josh Western, the team at Space Forge are pushing the
boundaries of what’s possible in advanced manufacturing and space
technology. Congratulations to Josh and the whole team on this
well-deserved achievement.

You can read more about it here
[[link removed]].

 

TACKLING ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR IN CARDIFF EAST

I recently met with Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan and Cardiff BCU
Commander, Stuart McDean to follow up on concerns raised by residents
on doorsteps across Cardiff East. 

We spent the morning in Adamsdown listening to local concerns and
joined a walking patrol to see the issues firsthand. 

It's essential that residents' voices are heard, and real action
taken. I'm grateful to Jeremy Vaughan for taking the time to engage
directly. A follow-up visit to Llanrumney is already planned, as I
continue to push for visible, responsive policing across our
communities.

 

NEWS FROM ACROSS WALES

 

TEN WINS FOR WALES

Wales has achieved some major wins over the past 10 months. When we
promised to build a stronger Wales in a changed UK, we meant it. Two
Labour Governments have worked together to fix the foundations of our
economy and are getting on with delivering on the priorities of people
across Wales. 

 

Here are ten of the biggest wins two Labour Government’s have
delivered for Wales in just 10 short months:

 

* £1.3bn investment in Tata, Port Talbot and a fully funded (unlike
the Tories) £80m Transition Board to help people and businesses
through the transition to green steel-making, guaranteeing the future
of Welsh steel-making for decades to come.
* Two investment zones in Wrexham and Flintshire and Newport and
Cardiff that will unlock a billion pounds of private sector investment
and create 6000 jobs.
* Two Freeports in the Celtic Sea and Anglesey that will create
16,500 jobs and unlock nearly £10billion of investment.
* Billions of direct inward investment by Eren Holdings, Copenhagen
Infrastructure Partners, Vishay, Kellogg and Knauf Insulation creating
thousands of secure, well-paid jobs.
* Millions invested through the Plan for Neighbourhoods in Barry,
Rhyl, Wrexham, Merthyr and Cwmbran.
* A £10m trailblazer pilot scheme in Blaenau Gwent, Denbighshire
and Neath Port Talbot to help people back into work.
* 160,000 workers in Wales getting a record pay rise because of our
increases to the living wage and national minimum wage.
* The historic injustice of the Mineworkers Pension Scheme reversed,
boosting the pensions of former mineworkers and their widows by 32%.
* Millions for Coal Tip maintenance and safety.
* The biggest ever budget settlement in the history of devolution
for our Welsh Labour Government – an extra £1.7billion to invest in
our public services which has meant over £600million more for the
Welsh NHS helping to bring down the longest waiting lists for the
third month in a row.

 

Plaid Cymru, the Conservatives, and Reform UK have opposed our efforts
at every opportunity. Over the past 10 months, we've seen the real
impact two Labour governments can make in our communities. That’s
what’s at stake in this election. A vote for any other party risks
losing the progress we’ve made. Our message is simple: if you value
it, vote for it.

 

WELSH QUESTIONS

There is power in partnership. This UK Labour Government is working
closely with the Welsh Government to deliver on the priorities of
Welsh people.

At this month’s Welsh Questions, I had the chance to highlight the
progress we’ve made since taking office less than a year ago.
Investment, jobs, and economic growth are all increasing, while
waiting lists are steadily decreasing.

 

While the Tories, Plaid Cymru, and Reform do their best to dismiss
Wales’ potential, our two Labour Governments are harnessing it to
deliver results for Wales.

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

 

WAITING LISTS DOWN AGAIN

Thanks to the partnership between our two Labour Governments, over
£600 million extra has been invested in our NHS to bring down waiting
lists and build a health service fit for the future. The results are
already being seen with the longest waiting times in Wales have
dropped by two-thirds in just four months, with fewer than 8,400
people waiting over two years—the lowest since April 2021.

 

This investment has funded thousands more treatments, diagnostics, and
appointments, with some health boards now having _no_ patients waiting
over a year for a first consultation or over two years for treatment.

 

We have made real progress, but we cannot take the foot of the pedal.
We’re committed to keeping up the momentum until everyone can access
the care they need, when they need it.

Learn more here
[[link removed]].

 

 REGENERATION BOOSTS GROWTH AND JOBS IN PORT TALBOT

We said we would back the steelworkers of Port Talbot, their families
and businesses dependent on Tata Steel.

 

This month, I announced new investment of more than £21 million which
will fund regeneration projects and support more than 270 jobs in Port
Talbot.

 

This latest investment means more than £70 million has been
announced by the Transition Board in just nine months, delivering on
the promises I made to the community.

 

Read more here
[[link removed]]
or watch my video from my announcement here
[[link removed]].

 

ASTON MARTIN WELCOMES US TRADE DEAL

The automotive industry is a major focus of the new US-UK trade deal.
I recently visited Aston Martin to discuss what it means for them.

 

The deal will help protect skilled manufacturing jobs and open up new
opportunities for Welsh companies like Aston Martin to expand their
exports to the US. For a small-volume luxury carmaker like Aston
Martin, this kind of market access is a big win.

 

By strengthening international partnerships, we’re helping Welsh
industry compete globally, attract investment, and create good,
sustainable jobs. This UK Labour Government is committed to building a
stronger economy that delivers real growth and opportunities for
communities across Wales.

 

You can read more about what the UK-UK Trade Deal means for Wales here
[[link removed]]
or watch a video from my visit here [[link removed]].

 

SUPPORTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK

The UK Labour Government has launched a new ‘trailblazer’ scheme
to provide support for anyone who is able to work into employment.

 

This £10 million programme will deliver tailored support where it is
most needed. Blaenau Gwent, Denbighshire and Neath Port Talbot have
been selected as areas where we can make the most difference.

 

This is 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.

 

Learn more about the scheme here
[[link removed]].

 

HARNESSING TIDAL ENERGY

Wales is in a prime position to harness tidal energy. It was brilliant
to join the First Minister at the Marine Energy Wales conference to
learn more about how we can maximise the opportunities this technology
offers and drive economic growth.

Working alongside the Welsh Government and industry partners, this UK
Labour Government will ensure Wales takes full advantage of these
opportunities.

 

OFFSHORE WIND INVESTMENT

Making Britain a clean energy superpower is one of the UK Labour
Government’s central missions. This benefits our climate, supports
job creation, and strengthens the economy. Wales has a key role to
play, and it’s my responsibility to make sure we seize every
opportunity.

 

This month, the Crown Estate announced an expansion of capacity at the
RWE Awel y Môr offshore wind site near the North Wales coast. This
development will deliver a major boost to the local economy and
generate high-quality, skilled jobs.

Read the announcement in full here
[[link removed]].

 

NEWS FROM PARLIAMENT

 

LABOUR IS GROWING OUR ECONOMY

It’s official! The UK is the fastest growing economy in the G7. 

In the first three months of this year, the UK economy grew faster
than the U.S., Canada, France, Italy and Germany. That’s not just a
statistic, it’s more jobs, more investment and more money in
people’s pockets.

Economic growth is our number one. We’re pleased with the progress,
but we can’t stop here. This UK Labour Government is going further
and faster to deliver a stronger economy for working people.

 

BRITAIN IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

This UK Labour Government is strengthening our alliances with our
international partners and reducing the barriers to trade. During this
month alone, we’ve secured three major trade agreements with the
world’s biggest economy (United States), the world’s fastest
growing economy (India) and our biggest trading partner (the European
Union).

 

We were elected on a mandate of change. This is change in action. We
have put the stale old political fights that typified the years of
Tory Government chaos behind us and worked to get common sense,
practical solutions that benefit working people, businesses, and
communities across Wales and the UK. A Government of Service.

 

Ever since Boris Johnson’s bad Brexit deal, I’ve heard constantly
from so many businesses and individuals across Cardiff East about the
unnecessary bureaucracy, rising costs, and uncertainty it has caused.

 

That’s why the new trade agreement with the European Union announced
at the UK EU summit on 13th May is such great news. This is the third
trade deal reached by the UK Labour Government in just under two
weeks. All three will make a real difference for people, businesses,
and communities right across the UK, but particularly the UK-EU deal
as they are our biggest trading partner.

 

Here are ten ways in which the deal will benefit Britain.

 

* Lower food prices at the checkout.
* Driving down energy bills
* Stronger borders
* Shorter queues when you go on holiday
* National Security and Defence
* UK businesses will save millions
* Backing UK steel
* Protecting fishing rights, access and areas
* Combatting terrorism and serious organised crime
* Good news for bills, good news for jobs and good for UK borders.

 

Read more about the trade deals Labour has negotiated this month here
[[link removed]].

 

INTEREST RATES DOWN

Families across Cardiff East know just how damaging rising interest
rates have been in recent years. Under the Tories, economic chaos
pushed up bills and mortgage costs, hitting households hard.

Labour has fixed the foundations of our economy. Over the last 10
months, we’ve seen four interest rate cuts, reducing the base rate
from 5.25% to 4.25%. To put this in perspective, this means those on a
variable rate mortgage will have an extra £100 a month back in their
pockets.

People are still feeling the pressure from the cost of living, but our
focus on economic stability is starting to pay off, with falling
interest rates and a real plan to make working people better off.

 

SENTENCING REVIEW

The Tories left our prison system on the brink of collapse. Despite
urgent steps taken by Labour to stabilise it, serious challenges
remain. That’s why this Labour Government is delivering the largest
prison-building programme since the Victorian era, with £4.7 billion
to create up to 14,000 new places by 2031.

 

Over 2,000 new places have been added since July but without action,
we’ll still run out of space.

The Sentencing Review has set out practical ways to address this
crisis. The reforms will ensure dangerous offenders serve longer
sentences, while early release must be earned. Only through taking
this action can we ensure that the justice system punishes criminals
and delivers for victims of crime.

 

ENERGY PRICE CAP DOWN

Ofgem has announced that the energy price cap will drop by £129 from
July. This is a welcome relief for households who have faced soaring
energy bills and years of insecurity under the Tories. 

The Tories have left behind a legacy of high bills and failure to plan
for the future. 
Labour is determined to do things differently. Over the last 10
months, we have kickstarted a green energy transformation. Not only
will this drive down costs for good, it will also create good jobs,
improve energy security, and tackle the climate crisis head-on.

We’ve also secured new energy agreements with the EU to strengthen
supply and stabilise prices.

Labour’s plan is clear: lower bills, cleaner energy and system that
puts money back into the pockets of working people.

 

INVESTIGATING FAILING WATER COMPANIES

Since Labour came into power in July, a record 81 criminal
investigations have been launched into law-breaking water companies,
representing a 145% increase in monthly enforcement. This is the
biggest criminal crackdown in the industry’s history.

 

We promised to clean up our rivers, lakes, and seas and we are
delivering with tough new measures to ensure water companies comply
with regulations.

 

Next year, we’ll carry out 10,000 inspections with stronger powers,
more staff, and better tools. We’ve also secured over £100 billion
in private investment and launched the Water Commission to lead the
biggest review since privatisation.

 

This UK Labour Government is taking action to clean up our waterways
for good.

Read more here
[[link removed]].

 

A FAIRER IMMIGRATION SYSTEM

Britain needs a fair immigration system that recognises the importance
of migration, respects those building their lives here, and is
properly controlled to maintain public confidence.

This UK Labour Government is taking action where the Tories failed. 

We will raise the skill and language requirements, tackle visa abuse,
and ensure key sectors train British workers. We will also reform
settlement and citizenship to reward contribution over time served,
while supporting genuine study and strengthening integration.

Read more about Labour’s plan for immigration here
[[link removed]].

 

TACKLING KNIFE CRIME

The UK Labour Government has launched its most ambitious weapons
surrender scheme yet, part of a wider effort to tackle violent crime
and keep communities safe.

Throughout July, people across the country will be encouraged to hand
in illegal and dangerous weapons anonymously, with new surrender bins
and mobile amnesty vans making disposal easier than ever.

This action comes alongside a ban on ninja swords from 1 August and
tougher enforcement measures for those carrying knives. Labour’s
strong, practical approach will help make our streets safer and ensure
everyone feels secure in their communities.

Read more here
[[link removed]].

 

THE SITUATION IN GAZA

The level of suffering in Gaza is intolerable. Nearly half a million
Palestinians face starvation, with Israel’s aid restrictions
worsening the situation. 

The UK Labour Government has committed £4 million in new aid for
food, water, and medical supplies, bringing total support to over
£129 million. 

We’ve summoned the Israeli Ambassador, suspended trade talks,
sanctioned violent settlers, and paused 30 arms export licences. We've
restored UNRWA funding and strengthened ties with the Palestinian
Authority. 

Israel will not achieve security by prolonging Palestinian suffering.
We again urge the Israeli government to take that path towards peace,
and we repeat our calls on Hamas to immediately and unconditionally
release all hostages. A permanent ceasefire and a two-state solution
are the only path to peace. 

 

[Labour Rose]
 

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Promoted by Hollie Ridley on behalf of the Labour Party, Labour Central Kings Manor, Newcastle, NE1 6PA, United Kingdom
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