Thank you for reading my July newsletter. 

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be delivering my Annual Report to
homes across Cardiff East. It’s a snapshot of the work I’ve been
doing on your behalf - from championing local businesses and creating
opportunities in green industries, to working hard to make our streets
safer and our economy stronger. All alongside day-to-day support and
help to thousands of constituents who have contacted me. 

Read my Annual Report here
[[link removed]].

I’m here to help all year round, so if you need support, advice, or
want to raise an issue, please don’t hesitate to get in touch using
the contact details below.

[email protected]
02921 329736

 

NEWS FROM CARDIFF EAST

 

CONGRATULATIONS COUNCILLOR LEXI POCKNELL

Congratulations to Lexi Pocknell, who has been elected to represent
Llanrumney, the community she’s lived in, raised her family in, and
volunteered in for 7 years. Thank you to everyone who voted,
supported, and placed their trust in Lexi. This result is a reflection
of her deep roots in the community and the hard work she’s put in
over many years.

Lexi now joins Councillor Lee Bridgeman as part of the Llanrumney
Labour Team, working every day to deliver for the community. She’s
getting straight to work as a strong, visible, and accessible voice
for Llanrumney.

 

CITY ROAD IMPROVEMENT PLANS

Cardiff Council would like to hear your views on proposed improvements
to City Road as part of the Northern Bus Corridor project.

The aim is to make travel safer, greener, and more reliable -
especially for bus users, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Proposed changes include new bus lanes, better crossings, and upgraded
public spaces. The consultation is now open. Take part here
[[link removed]].

 

ST JOHN LLOYD R.C. PRIMARY SCHOOL VISIT

Earlier this year, I joined pupils at St John Lloyd R.C. Primary
School on a Zoom call to take questions from pupils. Nothing beats
face-to-face though, so it was great to follow that up with a visit in
person before the end of term. 

The pupils had clearly done their homework. They asked brilliant
questions and shared some really thoughtful ideas about what laws
they’d want to introduce if they were an MP. It was great to see
them so engaged and interested in politics.

Thanks to Headteacher Clare Hart, her staff and pupils for the warm
welcome. I hope everyone has a fun and relaxing summer break.

 

GREEN FLAG PARKS

It’s brilliant to see nine parks and green spaces in Cardiff East
awarded Green Flag status again this year. Due to Cardiff Labour
Council’s Fields in Trust Schemes, many of these parks are now
protected, so they can be enjoyed for generations to come.

Cardiff has more Green Flag standard parks and green spaces than any
comparable core city in England and any other local authority in
Wales.

The Green Flag sites in Cardiff East are:

* Hendre Lake
* Parc Tredelerch
* Rumney Hill Gardens
* Waterloo Gardens
* St Mellons Community Garden
* Howardian Nature Reserve
* Roath Park
* Nant Fawr Community Woodlands
* Plasnewydd Community Garden

A big thank you to the council teams, volunteers and local groups who
work hard all year round to keep our green spaces at their best.

 

LLANRUMNEY HALL SUMMER FÊTE

The summer holidays kicked off with fantastic weather, perfect timing
for Llanrumney Hall’s annual summer fête. It was gtreat to see so
many residents there enjoying the sunshine, the food, and
entertainment.

I had a really productive discussion with local Police and PCSOs about
their ongoing work to keep Llanrumney safe.

A huge thank you to the volunteers at Llanrumney Hall who work so hard
all year round, and to everyone who helped make the day such a
success.

 

E-BIKE HIRE SCHEME RETURNS

Cardiff Council has announced plans for a new electric bike hire
scheme. The scheme will be run by a private operator, with no cost to
the Council beyond installing marked parking bays.

This follows the success of the previous Nextbike scheme, which saw
over 2 million rides before it was suspended due to vandalism and
theft. The new fleet will be fully electric, GPS-tracked, and parked
in designated zones to keep pavements clear and bikes secure.

Read more about the new scheme here
[[link removed]].

 

BRO EDERN REPRESENTING WALES AT STEM F1 RACING WORLD FINALS WORLD

Young women at Ysgol Bro Edern are leading the way in Science,
Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). I went to the school to meet
Carys and Nia from Team Parabolica. They, along with Gwen have got
through to the STEM Racing World Finals in Singapore this September
where they will represent Wales.

They'll be showcasing their skills in engineering, design, and
marketing with the miniature F1 car they have developed.

I really enjoyed listening to how they have developed their car, put
their business case and marketing strategy together and also hearing
about the many STEM awards they have already won. They were absolutely
inspirational. 

The incredible opportunity to compete in Singapore this September
comes with a significant cost, but it’s a powerful chance to inspire
women and girls worldwide that they belong in STEM.

If you are able to, you can show your support here
[[link removed]].

 

£30 MILLION INNOVATION FUNDING FOR CARDIFF CAPITAL REGION

Cardiff Capital Region is made up of 10 local authorities surrounding
our city including Cardiff Council. The UK Labour Government has
announced £30million funding to help unlock new, locally led
innovation aimed at improving lives across the area.

The region is one of three across the UK to receive the money.

The money will be used to invest into a range of schemes ranging from
life sciences, data science and green energy solutions, to AI,
engineering, and more.

It means that our region will play a leading role in the technologies
of the future. 

When announcing the funding I said that Wales has the talent and
expertise to develop hi-tech solutions to a range of challenges, and
this investment will help kickstart innovation, create new well-paid
jobs and grow the Welsh economy.

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

 

NEWS FROM WALES

 

WALES IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

As Secretary of State for Wales, I’m proud to champion Welsh
businesses here and on the global stage. Wales has deep and important
economic and cultural ties with North America.
 

The UK Labour Government is focused on delivering economic growth to
every corner of Wales. Our new trade agreement with the United States
is already bringing real benefits to key Welsh exporters like Aston
Martin and helping to support good, well-paid jobs across Wales.

This month I spent a day in Toronto meeting potential investors in
Wales and businesses that export there. I then travelled to New York
and spent two days doing the same. I was able to showcase the
world-class goods and services Wales has to offer and explore further
opportunities for investment in Wales.

My message is clear: Wales is open for business. We’re proud of what
we produce, and we’re ready to share more of it with the world.

Read more about my visit here
[[link removed]]
and watch my recent video about the trip here
[[link removed]].

 

A NEW CHAPTER FOR WELSH STEEL

Construction has begun on Tata Steel’s new electric arc furnace,
marking a huge step forward for Welsh steelmaking. It safeguards 5,000
jobs, transitions steelmaking to greener production, and delivers on
the UK Labour Government’s promise to the Port Talbot community.

We acted swiftly to negotiate a better deal for the workforce with
Tata, starting the day after the general election. We have invested
£500 million towards the electric arc furnace, alongside a further
£750 million from Tata Steel. This joint investment secures the
future of steelmaking in Port Talbot and creates the conditions for
further investment and jobs.

Labour’s Steel Strategy will go even further, delivering up to £2.5
billion to support the UK-wide steel sector, cut energy costs, and
strengthen protections for UK-made steel.

Port Talbot has a proud industrial history, and now it has a bright
future. We promised to back our Welsh steel communities, and we are
doing just that.

Watch my video about the future of steel in Wales here
[[link removed]].

 

THE SUSTAINABLE FARMING SCHEME

The Welsh Labour Government is introducing a new Sustainable Farming
Scheme, developed through extensive collaboration with the farming
community. This revised approach ensures the scheme is practical for
the agricultural sector while supporting our shared responsibilities
to nature and the climate.

 

This is a scheme for the whole of Wales which has been shaped by
farmers and designed to support every type of farm. It is simpler,
fairer, and focused on long-term sustainability.

 

Welsh Labour has committed £238 million for Universal Payments in
2026, with additional support for those taking further steps to
protect nature and improve productivity. By working closely with
farmers, the Welsh Government is securing a stable, resilient, and
sustainable future for farming in Wales.

 

OFFSHORE WIND TAKES A LEAP FORWARD

The UK Labour Government gave approval for the Mona Offshore Wind Farm
this month. This is a significant renewable energy development for
Wales, creating around 3,000 jobs.

 

Located off the coast of North Wales, Mona will generate enough
electricity to power over a million homes. It shows how Labour
investment in green industries can support both our economy and our
communities.

 

Through partnership between our two Labour Governments, we’re
backing projects that deliver long-term benefits for people across
Wales.

 

GROWING WALES' LIFE SCIENCES SECTOR

Life sciences are vital to our health outcomes and our economy. In
Wales, this sector is already worth £2.6 billion and supports around
12,000 jobs, from research and development, right through to advanced
manufacturing. We have 250 companies in Wales developing medical
technology from pharmaceuticals to medical devices and a specialist
cluster based in Cardiff.

The UK Labour Government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan sets out our
vision to expand this industry and transform healthcare across the UK.
Wales is well-placed to play a leading role, with a strong base of
innovation, skilled talent, and academic excellence. Its another
example of the UK Labour Government creating the conditions for new,
skilled, well-paid jobs in our city.

 

LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL EISTEDDFOD

The Llangollen International Eisteddfod is a globally renowned
festival, bringing people from all over the world to Wales through
music and culture. It was a real pleasure to attend as Day President
this year and to meet many of the amazing volunteers who make it all
happen.

The Eisteddfod has a powerful history, born out of the Second World
War with a message of peace that still resonates today.

 

And in a lovely twist, I was greeted by the Chair, John Gambles, who I
last saw 40 years ago when I collected my A Level results from him!

Read more about my visit here
[[link removed]].

 

INVESTING IN WALES' SEMI-CONDUCTOR INDUSTRY

This month I visited KLA’s new facility at Imperial Park in Newport
to see first-hand how investment is helping to grow Wales’s
semiconductor industry.

Thanks to £7 million from Cardiff Capital Region and Newport City
Council, KLA is expanding its operations, creating more high skilled
jobs and strengthening our unique compound semiconductor cluster in
South East Wales.

This is a great example of how targeted investment, backed by the UK
Government’s support for the Cardiff Capital Region and the Cardiff
and Newport Investment Zone, is helping to deliver our Industrial
Strategy and drive economic growth in a sector where Wales is leading
the way.

Read more about my visit here
[[link removed]].

 

DELIVERING AN AI GROWTH ZONE FOR WALES

Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we live and work. The UK
Labour Government is making sure we’re leading that change. We’re
harnessing AI to improve public services, drive innovation, and grow
the economy so more people feel the benefits.

Wales is ready to lead. With strengths in semiconductors, life
sciences, and digital innovation, we’re well placed to take full
advantage of this opportunity. That’s why Wales will have its own AI
Growth Zone, investing in the compute power needed to train and run AI
models, unlocking breakthroughs, creating high-quality jobs, and
delivering real improvements for communities across the country.

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

 

AMBULANCE TRANSFER TIMES DOWN

The number of people waiting more than an hour to transfer from an
ambulance into an emergency department in Wales has fallen by almost a
fifth.

The progress on reducing the time that people wait in ambulances
outside emergency departments is very encouraging with almost three
quarters of people transferred in just 15 minutes.

A national taskforce has been set up by Welsh Government to reduce
ambulance patient handover delays across Wales, helping to speed up
the transfer of people into emergency departments and release
ambulance crews to respond to 999 calls in the community.

The UK Labour Government is supporting the Welsh Government with
increased funding for public services. The record financial settlement
of £22.4bn per year announced last month, will allow them to make
continued progress.

 

SUPPORTING WALES' DEFENCE INDUSTRY

I visited General Dynamics in Merthyr Tydfil to meet the skilled team
working on some of the UK’s most advanced defence technology. They
make the AJAX armoured vehicle for the British army and are a major
employer in Wales. Their work is supports jobs, innovation, and the
local economy.

The workforce is rightly proud of its contribution to the UK’s
national security. I was particularly pleased to have the chance to
meet people who had left Tata Steel in Port Talbot recently and were
now working at General Dynamics.  

The top five Ministry of Defence suppliers all have a footprint in
Wales and with the necessary increase in defence spending that has
recently been announced, defence manufacturing in Wales will go from
strength to strength. This will again create job opportunities and
stronger local economies.

 

Watch my recent video about the visit here
[[link removed]].

 

NEWS FROM PARLIAMENT

 

WELSH QUESTIONS

At Welsh Questions, I set out how our two Labour governments are
working together to deliver for people across Wales. We’re backing
Welsh industries like steel, investing in better transport, and
driving economic growth and putting more money in people’s pockets.

We are focused on delivery. Working together, we are cutting waiting
times, improving public services, and building a fairer, stronger
Wales. While Labour is focused on delivering for Wales, Plaid and
Reform UK offer division and no plan for the future.

Watch clips from Welsh Questions here
[[link removed]].

 

WELSH AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE

A year ago, straight after the general election, I set out my
priorities for Wales to stabilise the economy, drive investment and
create jobs – and to reset the relationship between the UK
Government and Welsh Government. 

This month, I appeared before the Welsh Affairs Select Committee in
Parliament to be scrutinised on those priorities and the progress
made. 

The Committee consists of MPs from different political parties, all
representing Welsh constituencies, with the exception of the Tory MP
as we have no Tory MPs in Wales.

I was able to tell the Committee that in just twelve months, wages are
rising, employment is up, and £3.4 billion in private investment is
supporting around 8,000 jobs. We’ve launched a modern Industrial
Strategy and backed key industries like steel and renewable energy.
Two new Investment Zones, in Wrexham and Flintshire, and Cardiff and
Newport, are driving innovation in advanced manufacturing and
semiconductors. 

This is just the beginning. Labour is delivering a decade of national
renewal and Wales is front and centre. 

Watch clips from my appearance at the Welsh Affairs Select Committee
here
[[link removed]].

 

PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM HARMFUL CONTENT

What happens online affects our children’s safety, health and
future. That’s why this UK Labour Government has taken strong action
to make the internet safer for young people. 

We won’t let tech companies use harmful algorithms to push damaging
content into children’s lives. They must follow the law and take
responsibility. If they don’t, we’ll hold them to account. 

No child should grow up unprotected online. Nigel Farage says he is
going to cancel the Online Safety Act. Labour is putting our
children’s safety first. 

 

FIXING OUR PENSION SYSTEM

Too many people are heading for retirement without enough to live on.
Women, carers, and low-paid workers are hit hardest. Doing nothing is
not an option.

The UK Labour Government has launched a new Pensions Commission to fix
our unfair and outdated system. We’re tackling the pensions gap
between men and women, boosting returns, and making sure savings work
as hard as the people earning them. 

Everyone deserves a decent, secure retirement after a lifetime of
work. Labour built the foundations of today’s pensions system and
now we are making it fit for the future with a plan that’s fair and
sustainable.

Read more about the Pension Commission here
[[link removed]].

 

PARENTAL LEAVE REVIEW

Every parent should have the chance to spend time with their children
during their early years but our parental leave system doesn’t
always make this possible. 

The UK Labour Government is launching a full review of parental leave
and pay, listening to families and businesses to build a fairer, more
flexible system that supports working parents and boosts our
economy. 

The review will help us to deliver on our promise to make work pay
while providing a better family life balance for parents across
Wales. 

You can read more about the review here
[[link removed]].

 

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE

For many families that have been affected by pregnancy loss, the
decision around returning to work or taking sick leave to grieve
properly can make an already painful experience even more difficult.
That’s not right and it’s why the UK Labour Government is changing
the law.

We’re introducing new bereavement leave rights, including for early
miscarriage, so parents have the time and space to grieve. We’re
also bringing in a day-one right to unpaid bereavement leave for all
workers.

These are long-overdue changes that put compassion and fairness at the
heart of our workplaces.

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

 

A NEW DEAL FOR WORKING PEOPLE

The UK Labour Government has published a clear roadmap to deliver our
New Deal for Working People. This is the biggest transformation in
workers’ rights for more than a generation and will give working
people the security, rights and respect they deserve.

From early next year, 15 million workers will start to benefit from
new rights. This includes sick pay for 1.3 million of the lowest
earners, and day-one rights to parental and paternity leave. These are
long-overdue changes that will make a real difference to people’s
lives.

This roadmap is the result of extensive collaboration between
businesses, trade unions and workers. We’ve listened and we’re
taking a phased approach so that change is clear, manageable, and
lasting. 

This is a serious plan to build a fairer economy, boost productivity,
and deliver better jobs and better pay for working people.

Read the roadmap here
[[link removed]].

 

SUPPORT FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS

Too many people in Wales and across the UK have been priced out of
owning a home. 

Reforms announced by the Chancellor will support more young people
onto the housing ladder. Nationwide is expanding its ‘Helping
Hand’ mortgage, lowering income thresholds so more people can
qualify. This will support an extra 10,000 first-time buyers every
year. 

It’s a practical step that will make a real difference. Labour is
focused on making the housing market fairer and more accessible for
those who’ve been locked out for too long.

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

 

SANCTIONS FOR PEOPLE SMUGGLING GANGS

People smuggling gangs are driving illegal migration, threatening our
security and profiting from human misery. They must be stopped. The UK
Government has launched the world’s first dedicated sanctions regime
targeting people-smuggling gangs. 

These measures will freeze assets, block financial flows, and disrupt
the vile trade fuelling the dangerous Channel crossings. 

This is a serious step in our plan to secure the UK’s borders and
tackle the root causes of irregular migration. We will continue to
act, working with international partners, to break these networks and
protect lives.

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

 

ACTION ON ORGREAVE

For 41 years, mining communities have carried the weight of what
happened at Orgreave during the miners’ strike. The scars of that
day run deep. Families have been left without answers, trust in
policing was shattered, and justice denied. The truth has been hidden
for too long.

We made a promise in our manifesto that we would hold a statutory
inquiry. It will be led by the Bishop of Sheffield, and will finally
investigate the events of Orgreave, with the powers needed to uncover
what really happened. This is about truth, accountability, and
restoring confidence.

I represented miners and the South Wales NUM when I was a trade union
lawyer. I campaigned for decades alongside the miners, their families
and trade unionists across the country for the terrible events at
Orgreave to be properly investigated. I am really pleased that our UK
Labour Government has brought us to this moment.

Read more about the Orgreave Inquiry here
[[link removed]].

 

TACKLING DOMESTIC ABUSE

Thousands more women and children will be better protected from
domestic abuse through the direct targeting of perpetrators.

Through initiatives like the Drive Project and Project Vigilant,
we’re going after perpetrators wherever they pose a threat, whether
that’s at home or on the streets. We are shifting the focus onto
those who cause harm, challenging dangerous behaviours and making it
clear that the responsibility for ending abuse lies with perpetrators,
not those who suffer from it.

The multi-million pound investment will see up to 15 new areas going
live by March 2026, with full roll-out across Wales and England to
follow.

Read more about Labour’s plan to tackle domestic violence here
[[link removed]].

 

ACTION TO CLEAN UP OUR WATERWAYS

We inherited a broken water system, with record levels of sewage being
pumped into our waterways, bosses being paid millions in bonuses, and
families being left with massive bill hikes. 

I’ve heard from so many residents who are rightly angry and fed up
with water bosses taking bonuses while polluting our waterways and
putting up bills. Labour is taking action. 

This month, the UK Labour Government announced widespread reform to
the water industry. We are abolishing Ofwat and replacing it with a
new, powerful regulator in the biggest overhaul of water regulation in
a generation. 

We are also introducing a new Water Ombudsman with powers to make
legally binding decisions to protect customers from leaking pipes,
incorrect bills or supply issues. 

We will halve sewage pollution, the most ambitious target to cut
sewage any Government has ever made, whilst protecting households from
unexpected increases to their bills.

Read about how Labour is fixing our broken water system here
[[link removed]].

 

VOTES AT 16

In Wales, 16 and 17-year-olds have had the right to vote in Senedd and
Council elections since 2021. We’ve shown that when you trust young
people with a voice, they take it seriously. Now, Labour is extending
that right across the UK. 

I have always supported votes for 16 and 17-year-olds and campaigned
for many years for a change in the law. If you can work, pay tax, and
contribute to society, you should have a say in how it’s run. This
is about fairness, inclusion, and building a stronger democracy for
the future.

Young people care deeply about the world around them and Labour is
making sure their voices are heard.

Read more about votes at 16 here
[[link removed]].

 

IMMIGRATION DEALS WITH FRANCE AND GERMANY

The Labour government is taking firm action to stop dangerous Channel
crossings and save lives. New agreements with Germany and France will
crack down on criminal gangs who profit from smuggling people in
unsafe boats. 

Germany will now make it a crime to help smuggle migrants to the UK,
giving police and prosecutors stronger powers. Both countries will
also work with Europol and social media platforms to shut down
smuggling networks online. 

These deals follow the Prime Minister’s talks with European leaders.
This is about practical cooperation. Working together, our three
nations will restore order to our asylum systems, securing our
borders, and prevent further tragedies at sea.

 

STATEMENT ON ISRAEL AND GAZA

I have been appalled by the horrific scenes in Gaza including images
of starvation, desperation and suffering of children and babies.

This week I attended the Cabinet meeting at which we took the decision
that the UK Labour Government will recognise the state of Palestine,
an issue I have campaigned for and supported for many decades.

Our immediate priority is to ensure humanitarian aid and relief, on
the ground and at significant scale. You can read my statement on this
decision and the steps the UK Labour Government has already taken and
is taking here
[[link removed]].

 

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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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