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Dear Friend,
Last weekend marked six months since Cardiff North put its faith back in me at the ballot box. It's certainly been an unprecedented and incredibly busy six months as we navigate the worst pandemic in a century and continue to support families, businesses and individuals during this very difficult time.
As well as looking back at what's been happening in Cardiff North and Parliament over the last couple of weeks; from ill-thought-out government department mergers to meetings with Velindre Trust on the hospital development, I'd also like to reflect on the last six months since the December election and what we've achieved together so far, despite these difficult times.
As ever, if you would like to get in touch with me please contact [email protected].
With very best wishes,
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DfID Merger will harm most vulnerable
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This week we saw the prime minister's hostile takeover of the Department for International Development which was folded into the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
The unscrupulous move has sparked uproar across the political spectrum, including from the prime minister's own benches. NGOs, charities and those best placed to support the most vulnerable across the world are unified in their condemnation of this shambolic move amidst a global pandemic when we need development work most. I share that anger and disappointment. A retreat from the global stage now is a shameful mistake and will diminish our ability to play our part in making the world fairer, safer and more sustainable for all.
The greatest injustice is that it's the poorest and most vulnerable communities across the world who will suffer at the hands of the PM in pursuit of his 'Global Britain' brand. The DfID department is a global leader in development aid, its expertise, efficiency and transparency internationally renowned and this continued success hinges on being independent from foreign and economic ties. Having also abolished the International Development Committee at the same time, there's now little standing in the government's way.
With this all set to change it begs the question how realistic is the attitude 'no one left behind' when folding DfID into FCO means eroding support in the pursuit of driving British interests instead. Labour's Shadow DfID Secretary of State will remain in place because Labour believes this is absolutely the right thing to do and will commit to re-establishing the department once more when we return to office.
View my thoughts on the merger here:
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Reflecting on Refugee Week
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This Refugee Week is a reminder we must ensure a just, fair and sustainable future stretches far beyond our own shores at home. Many are understandably feeling as though they're living on the edge with Covid-19, but this feeling is an everyday reality for many facing injustices of climate change, conflict, disease and poverty.
Climate change is just as much a driver of migration as conflict or disease. By failing to recognise an escalation in climate refugees, we fail to prepare for the future. This week has been an opportunity to reflect on the impact of our own actions and renew our commitments to the part we must play in repairing global injustices. This has never been so important as the Tory Government seeks to diminish the role we play in supporting the most vulnerable across the world.
Here's my reflections on Refugee Week in an article for Labour List:
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Welsh Lockdown Regulations Relaxed
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Some lockdown regulations are beginning to relax as of Monday 22nd June - which you can find here: The First Minister was very clear that we are on the right track thanks to everyone's sacrifice and now there is headroom to accelerate process in easing restrictions. There will be one significant change on each Monday over the next 3 weeks.
🔺All non-essential retail shops can re-open providing they comply with safety measures.
🔺Can travel beyond local area where compassionate reasons to do so (guidance will be published shortly).
🔺House viewings in vacant properties.
🔺Changes to childcare and places of worship.
🔺Easing of restrictions to some outdoor sports activities but not contact or team sports.
🔺29th June - pupils can return to school.
🔺6th July - will lift requirement to stay local providing evidence over next 2 weeks supports this.
🔺Tourism sector to prepare to use these next weeks to prepare to welcome visitors.
🔺Hairdressers use next 3 weeks to prepare to resume services by appointment only and with safeguards.
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In solidarity with those who have taken the knee outside Cardiff City Hall this week and who have protested at a safe distance. I've also taken the knee to reaffirm my commitment to the Black Lives Matter movement and to challenging racism, inequality and discrimination in all its forms, wherever I see it.
The Picton statue remains in City Hall and I fully support calls to see this removed. The leader of the Council has pledged his commitment to carry this out. The Black Lives Matter movement, built on tragedy, must be a catalyst for change to address the systemic racial discrimination that plagues our society. We cannot accept anything less.
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Tuesday marked four years since Jo Cox was sadly murdered in her constituency of Batley and Spen. 4 years on, Jo's memory, wise words and legacy will never be forgotten. Her words "we have more in common than that which divides us" have never been more true. My thoughts are with her family and loved ones.
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UK adopts calls on aid crossings in Syria
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The UK Government's silence on critical Syrian aid has been deafening when faced with own mantra of ‘no one left behind’. I've made consistent calls for the UK Government to use it's political clout to break a bitter UN deadlock over a coronavirus lifeline for war-torn Syria and I'm pleased to see the UK representative at the UN Security Council this week adopting my calls to re-authorise aid routes with a 12 month extension. This is exactly why we need an independent DFID leading a facts-first humanitarian approach over political posturing.
We must now see this commitment in a draft Resolution urgently ahead of the July deadline and I will keep pushing for this. You can read more about this issue here:
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Holidays Without Hunger Campaign Success
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Over this past week I have been overwhelmed with emails and messages on social media calling to support Marcus Rashford who in a powerful letter to the UK Government, urged them to fund free school meals for children over the summer holidays.
The government's U-turn on this decision following this successful campaign was very welcome news. Thankfully, we already have this in place in Wales and our Welsh Labour Government has already committed to this. I'm pleased England has followed Wales' lead and children are less likely to go hungry this summer.
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Wales Millennium Centre Jobs at Risk
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Deeply worrying news for the Wales Millennium Centre as they announced recently that 250 jobs were at risk and the centre is to remain shut until 2021 as a result of the devastating impact of coronavirus. I am working with Cardiff colleagues Jo Stevens MP, Stephen Doughty MP and Kevin Brennan MP calling for urgent support from the UK Government to safeguard jobs and the future of the sector.
View the four Cardiff MPs' statement here:
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Erasmus Programmes 'Massive Loss' to Wales
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The loss of Erasmus programmes would be a massive blow to beneficiaries in Wales. The UK Government risks our membership of Erasmus but refuses to let Wales go it alone. We should not be left in limbo when young people’s futures hang in the balance.
I also called on the Secretary of State to ensure Government put what is written in the political declaration into legal text or risk a disastrous no-deal.
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Last week we celebrated Carers Week and the 6.5 million unsung heroes across the UK providing unpaid care for families, friends and loved ones. The focus was on Making Caring Visible - raising awareness and highlighting the immense challenges unpaid carers face, particularly during this pandemic.
Paying tribute to our unpaid carers, the Welsh Labour Government has announced an additional £50,000 funding to Carers Wales to expand support available for unpaid carers.
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It's been six months since Cardiff North puts its faith in me once more and re-elected me as Cardiff North's Member of Parliament. It was a fantastic and positive campaign, despite the cold, dark and rainy December nights and I absolutely couldn't have done it without all the amazing volunteers who came to knock doors with me day in and day out.
It's been an incredibly busy and unprecedented six months and I wanted to reflect a little bit on how my team and I have been working hard for Cardiff North and what we've achieved together as a result of your lobbying efforts on key issues and Cardiff North's kindness and compassion when things get tough.
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This year alone, we've created 2,370 cases for constituents who have been in touch, having received over 3,500 emails and responded to 3,240. The top three concerns have been coronavirus advice and support, having helped nearly 600 families and businesses since lockdown began, the Black Lives Matter movement and Dominic Cummings.
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Cardiff North Coronavirus Response
I've been astounded by the community spirit displayed across the constituency during lockdown. I set up the Cardiff North Coronavirus Response Facebook Group, linked to the local mutual aid groups. With nearly 1,000 members and still growing, it's been fantastic to see everyone sharing information, providing comfort and volunteering their time and assistance to those in need. This pandemic has shown the best of humanity and I hope to see this community spirit continue.
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Supporting Businesses Rebuild
As your elected representatives, we want to support our local businesses in Cardiff North throughout this difficult time. I recently launched a local business support campaign alongside Julie Morgan MS, Cllr Jen Burke-Davies, Cllr Dilwar Ali and Cllr Graham Hinchey to amplify businesses and show Cardiff North they're open for business! The response from the community has been fab- let's keep supporting our local businesses!
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UHW Call for Donations
To support UHW's donation drive, I called on local businesses, community groups and individuals to support and donate in whatever way they could. The response we received was fantastic and community groups such as AFC Whitchurch went above and beyond, donating much-needed items to UHW and Maggie's Cancer Centre.
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The community support was fantastic when the call went out to help our frontline NHS staff at UHW and make sure they were fed and watered in-between shifts! I've received messages from staff who were incredibly grateful for Cardiff North's support so thank you to everyone who helped #FeedTheHeath.
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Standing up against businesses behaving badly
I've worked with constituents, employees and unions to call out businesses who were mistreating their staff by not furloughing employees. This was the case with the Village Hotel in Whitchurch and with persuasion we were able to ensure zero hour contract employees were furloughed and received pay after being told they wouldn't receive anything.
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Volunteering & Community Support
I've worked with voluntary organisations such as Age Connects and Good Neighbours in North Cardiff to coordinate clear and safe pathways to volunteer and support the most vulnerable in the community, many of whom were shielding.
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I've held a series of Q&A Facebook live sessions to answer as many of your questions as possible during this time of great uncertainty. During Mental Health Awareness Week, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan MP, A&E Dr and UK Labour's Shadow Minister for Mental Health joined me in a live Q&A to answer all your health concerns during lockdown.
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The Future for Cardiff North: An Open Discussion
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Earlier this year, I conducted an online survey and held an open discussion with Cardiff North constituents on the local and national issues you are most concerned about. Its purpose was to ensure the issues you raised and the solutions we came up with together shape my priorities as your Member of Parliament. The local and national action points we came up with together will shape my priorities and campaigning to ensure I am representing you as well as possible. I intend to hold another virtual meeting soon to discuss priorities in the context of Covid-19.
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Areas in Whitchurch experienced flooding in February when the River Taff burst its banks and water levels rose dramatically. I worked with local families to ensure they had access to vital support and advice and to help alleviate concerns for those worried they may be next. Julie Morgan MS and I held a public meeting at Whitchurch Rugby Club to listen to views and took them forward to National Resources Wales. We've promised a further public meeting to update local residents as soon as it is safe to do so.
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Prior to the pandemic, I drew in the ballot for a Private Members' Bill. I asked Cardiff North to share their ideas on what legislation I should bring to Parliament. I introduced the Green Share Bill. The Bill aims to help cooperatives and member-owned businesses unlock green finance which could see the expansion of green projects and initiatives locally. We're facing a climate emergency and we must find innovative ways to combat this crisis - my Bill enables co-ops to do this, with community benefits at its heart. I look forward to the Bill's second reading in July.
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We're having to do things a little differently because of the pandemic but my team and I are always here to help if you have any questions or concerns. I've been holding regular virtual advice surgeries and when it is safe to do so I will continue my coffee mornings and advice surgeries across the constituency. If you need advice and support, please do not hesitate to get in touch me!
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As always, please get in touch with your feedback!
Anna
MP for Cardiff North
AS dros Ogledd Caerdydd
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