Happy New Year to you and your family. I hope you had a good break.

During the early part of 2026, you will see more police on our
streets, and by April, energy bills will fall, wages will continue to
rise, and further progress will be made on reducing NHS waiting times
because of decision by your UK And Welsh Labour governments.

As well as an extension to the warm homes discount which we have
announced will now continue to 2030, helping millions of lower-income
households with £150 off energy bills, everyone in Cardiff East and
across the country will get a cut of an average of £150 off their
energy bills automatically.

Alongside freezing rail fares and fuel duty, and maintaining free
prescriptions, at the beginning of April, both the national minimum
wage and living wage will rise again, state pension will increase and
the Universal Credit standard allowance, which nearly 5000 working
people in Cardiff East rely on, will increase too. 

Our UK Labour Government and Welsh Labour Government are delivering
more funding for our communities, more new jobs, new industries and
improved living standards for Welsh families. There’s more in this
newsletter about good news on Council funding, investment in community
facilities, reduced NHS waiting times and more.

If you value the progress we are making and want to keep Wales moving
forward, the message is simple: vote for Welsh Labour in the Senedd
election on 7th May.

 

SUPPORTING RESIDENTS IN CARDIFF EAST

It’s often said, “we only see you at election time”. That might
be true of other political parties, like the Liberal Democrats and
Reform but it couldn’t be further from the truth for me and the
Cardiff East Labour team.

We’re out most weekends, come rain or shine, listening to residents
across Cardiff East on their doorsteps. 

Our work week in week out is about supporting residents when they need
it. This month I’ve been out listening to residents and picking up
casework in Adamsdown, Cyncoed, Pentwyn and Plasnewydd. If you missed
me, don’t worry, my office is here to help. If you need any
assistance, please contact me using the details below:

PHONE: 029 2132 9736
EMAIL: [email protected]

 

NEWS FROM ACROSS CARDIFF EAST

 

PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN ONLINE

Keeping children safe online is a real priority for the UK Labour
Government. I know from many parents in Cardiff East who have
contacted me, that they are worried about the harm that social media
can and is causing, which is why the government is launching a
national conversation to find the best solutions to tackle this.

A number of options are being considered, like setting a minimum age
for social media, banning addictive features like "infinite
scrolling," tighter age verification and enforcement and making
schools phone-free.

Over the coming months, I really want to hear from you, and especially
from parents and young people with your views. Please drop me a line
and let me know what you think. We need to get to a place where
technology enriches children's lives instead of harming them.

Find out more about the consultation here
[[link removed]].

 

INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITIES

For the first time in over a decade, Cardiff Council has announced a
budget with no cuts to frontline services, thanks to the UK Labour
Government providing the Welsh Labour Government with the largest
budget settlement in devolution history. This has meant that Council
have received a stronger than expected settlement from Welsh
Government.

 

Cardiff Labour Council is focusing on the services that matter most to
residents and investing:

* An additional £13.9 million (a 4.2% increase) for schools
* An additional £9.2 million (a 8.6% increase) for Children’s
Services
* An additional £8.6 million (a 4.9% increase) for Adult Services
* An additional £3.6 million (a 5.6% increase) for central
education services, including home-to-school transport and support for
children educated outside Cardiff schools.

This is a budget that prioritises residents right across our
communities, providing stability and good public services where they
are needed most.

 

PROGRESS AT PENTWYN LEISURE CENTRE

Work to transform Pentwyn Leisure Centre, including the installation
of a new, high specification swimming pool is progressing really well,
with doors expected to open this June.

I went to see how the work is getting on this month and saw the
progress on the new 25-meter adjustable-depth pool and water slide.

I also got a sneak peek at the fantastic new home for the Phoenix
Boxing Club. The new location will boast a new boxing ring, new punch
bags, and a dedicated viewing area for parents to watch the sessions.
On the ground floor, a new space for dedicated youth services is also
taking shape, which will soon offer a variety of activities for young
people across Llanedeyrn and Pentwyn.

Our local Labour team is working closely with Cardiff Council to
ensure everything stays on track. I know how much this leisure centre
means to local residents, and we are determined to have it fully open
and ready for everyone to enjoy ahead of the summer holidays.

Watch more from my visit here
[[link removed]].

 

IMPROVING COMMUNITY SAFETY

I am committed to making our neighbourhoods feel safe and welcome.

Many of you have shared your worries about anti-social behaviour and
illegal goods, and I’ve been working with Cardiff Council and South
Wales Police to take action.

Recently, Vape Zone in Adamsdown and Mini Mart Store in Llanrumney
were shut down and boarded up. These shops were selling dangerous
vapes to children and causing real trouble for residents nearby.

By closing them, we’re making our shopping parades safer for
families. This is Labour’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee in
action, ensuring police are more visible, criminals face prosecution
and our communities are safe places for everyone.

 

ACTION ON SAFER ROADS

Every week I hear from residents concerned about dangerous driving in
areas of Cardiff East. So the UK Labour Government is taking action.

We have just launched a new Road Safety Strategy with a bold target to
cut deaths and serious injuries on our roads by 65% by 2035. This
includes tougher measures on:

* Speeding
* Drink and drug driving
* Not wearing seat belts
* Mobile phone use

We will also be introducing:

* Minimum learning periods for learner drivers
* Mandatory eye tests for over-70s
* Lower drink-drive limits
* Additional safety technologies in new cars
* Tougher penalties for uninsured drivers

These long-needed reforms will save lives, protect vulnerable road
users, and make every journey safer in Cardiff East and across the
country.

 

MEETING FUTURE LEADERS AT BRYN CELYN PRIMARY SCHOOL

I had a brilliant time meeting pupils at Bryn Celyn Primary School,
taking questions and hearing their thoughts on everything from wind
turbines and careers in green energy to anting a four day school week!

Their questions were excellent. The future of Cardiff East is bright
with these young leaders helping to shape it. I look forward to
welcoming them to Parliament soon.

 

APPLICATIONS FOR NURSERY PLACES OPEN

If your child is turning three, they are eligible for a part-time
nursery place starting the term after their birthday. They will stay
in nursery until they move up to Reception in primary school.

Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 school year with a final
deadline of 11:59pm on Monday 23rd February.

Apply on time to secure a place for the upcoming school year. More
advice here
[[link removed]].

 

SUPPORTING GRASSROOTS SPORT

Grassroots football is providing new opportunities for children and
adults and also bringing significant health and social benefits for
our community.

 

To support this, the UK Labour Government has announced an extra £5.7
million to upgrade grassroots sports facilities across Wales.

 

I want our local teams to benefit from this investment. If your club
needs better pitches, modern changing rooms, or improved facilities,
please take a look at the available schemes.

 

Read more about the schemes available here
[[link removed]].

 

TOUR DE FRANCE CYCLING THROUGH CARDIFF

Cardiff has an incredible record of hosting world-class sporting
events, from Rugby World Cup matches to the UEFA Champions League
final. Now, we can add the Tour De France to the list too.

As part of the race, Cardiff will host a finish location of the Tour
de France as part of the Grand Depart GB 2027.

I can’t wait to welcome cyclists, commentators, fans and cameras
from around the world to our city. A huge moment for Wales and
Cardiff.

 

ST DAVIDS R.C. SIXTH FORM COLLEGE VISIT

I met with Politics A-Level students at St David’s College to
discuss my work as the MP for Cardiff East and Secretary of State for
Wales.

 

The students raised important questions on a variety of topics,
including the increase to the National Minimum Wage for young workers
and the UK Government's support for Welsh businesses.

 

Our conversation also touched on the complexities of devolution
settlement and the current debate surrounding banning social media for
children.

 

CIVIL SERVICE PENSION SCHEME

A number of constituents have contacted me regarding significant
delays in the processing of their Civil Service pension payments.

 

I have raised these concerns directly with ministerial colleagues to
seek an urgent resolution. If you have been affected by delays or poor
service from Capita, the provider appointed under the previous
Conservative government, please get in touch with my office.

 

NEWS FROM ACROSS WALES

 

RECORD BREAKING INVESTMENT INTO OFFSHORE WIND

Our UK Labour Government is working with investors to develop
home-grown clean power which will reduce our reliance on expensive gas
and bring down bills, secure our domestic energy supply and create
jobs.

The development of the Awel y Môr and Erebus offshore wind projects
is massive news both for North Wales and Pembrokeshire. These projects
will deliver well-paid, highly skilled jobs and help boost the Welsh
economy through opening up new opportunities for businesses in the
supply chain.

Port Talbot will become a central hub for the manufacturing and
assembly of the infrastructure for the offshore wind in the Celtic Sea
off Pembrokeshire.

This is only possible with two Labour Governments in Westminster and
Wales. Plaid talk the talk on clean energy but oppose the
infrastructure to deliver it. Meanwhile, Reform UK would cancel the
projects and collapse the jobs and businesses as a result. Both would
be a disaster for Wales. 

 

Watch my recent video here [[link removed]].

 

WELSH LABOUR GOVERNMENT BUDGET

The Welsh Labour Government’s budget has been approved, providing
extra funding for our public services. Thanks to a record funding
settlement from the UK Labour Government, every department has been
protected with real-terms funding, including extra support for
inflation and pay to recognise the work of public sector staff.

This investment delivers on the priorities of Welsh people, providing
an extra £112.8m for local government to ensure every council
receives an increase of at least 4%, and an extra £180m for health
and social care to bring the total budget to over £12.6bn. It will
also provide a £116m business rate support package for businesses
over the next two years.

This budget will provide the certainty and stability Wales needs,
ensuring our schools, hospitals, and other public services have a
solid foundation for the future.

 

BIGGEST DROP IN WAITING LISTS ON RECORD

Waiting times in Wales have now fallen for the sixth consecutive
month, with the most recent figures showing the biggest monthly fall
on record. Long waits are down 90% from their peak.

 

This progress is possible thanks to the UK Labour Government’s
funding settlement for Wales, the largest in devolution history. This
has allowed our Welsh Labour Government to invest an extra £120
million directly into cutting the backlog, already delivering 127,000
additional appointments.

 

The Welsh Labour Government is also rolling out a new feature on the
NHS Wales App which allows patients to view their position on waiting
lists, giving people the transparency they need.

There is still more to do, but this investment marks a huge step
forward.

 

VICTIM'S RIGHT TO REVIEW SCHEME EXPANDED TO WALES

Rape and sexual assault are abhorrent, causing long-lasting physical
and emotional trauma to victims. Those who come forward deserve to
know that their experiences are being heard.

 

Following a successful pilot in the West Midlands, victims across
Wales will have the right to ask for their cases to be reviewed before
a final decision to offer no evidence is made.

 

This will increase routes to justice and above all, it will ensure
victims are given fairness, dignity and are truly heard.

 

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

 

GROWING OUR WELSH AEROSPACE SECTOR

I recently visited GE Aerospace in Nantgarw to meet the apprentices
powering Wales's aerospace sector. GE maintain and repair aircraft
engines that power most of the civil commercial aeroplanes. Welsh
wings made in Airbus fly us around the world and the engines are
looked after by Welsh engineers!

The aerospace industry is a growing one. The apprenticeship programme
at GE and the one at Airbus is stellar. There is huge competition for
spaces and those who are successful will play a key part in keeping
this industry in Wales.

To support its future, the UK Labour Government has committed £49
million to the sector in Wales, helping to grow the industry and
create more high-quality jobs.

 

SUPPORTING S4C PROGRAMMING

Our UK Labour Government is a proud supporter of the Welsh language.
By securing greater prominence for S4C on BBC iPlayer, we are ensuring
Welsh language and culture are more visible than ever.

 

This partnership strengthens Welsh broadcasting, making high-quality
content easier to access for all.

 

NEWS FROM PARLIAMENT

 

WELSH QUESTIONS

Our two Labour Governments are delivering for Wales. With the Senedd
elections approaching, I shared the huge progress we have made,
delivering on the priorities of people across Wales.

 

While Plaid Cymru and Reform shout from the sidelines, we are getting
on with the job. These parties thrive on a politics of grievance. They
do not want Wales to succeed because it does not suit their agenda.

 

Welsh Labour chooses unity and renewal over division and decline. That
was my message to MPs at Welsh Questions. 

 

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

 

LAUNCHING LABOUR’S WARM HOMES PLAN

The UK and Welsh Labour Governments are working in partnership to make
homes warmer and reduce household bills.

In the budget, the Chancellor announced a cut of £150 to energy bills
for an average household. With our Warm Homes Plan, we are going even
further helping people to replace old gas boilers with heat pumps
through non-repayable grants and putting new standards in place for
landlords of privately rented home to make them more energy efficient,
warm and safe.

Also, through initiatives like the Welsh Government’s Nest Warm
Homes scheme, free, impartial energy efficiency advice is provided to
eligible households with tailored home energy improvements, such as
heating, insulation, and solar panels, to reduce energy bills.

 

With over £30 million of this scheme already invested this year,
families in Wales are already seeing the benefits of two Labour
Governments working together to help tackle the cost of living.

 

Watch my videos about our Warm Homes Plan here.

 

ACTION FOR LEASEHOLDERS

If you own a flat or house as a leaseholder, you’ll know that you
have to pay  ground rents and many people end up paying completely
unaffordable, sky-high service charges with little transparency about
how the final figure is arrived at. You may not know that if you fail
to pay, the law of forfeiture means that the freeholder can take your
property and you lose all your equity in your home.

The UK Labour Government has announced radical changes to end this
unfair leasehold system and is forcing controls on service charges so
they are capped at £250 a year. This cap will eventually drop to
almost nothing.

The new law being introduced will also end new leaseholds to give
homeowners real control. 
By fixing this outdated system, we are making homeownership fairer and
more affordable.

Read more about the detail of the plans here
[[link removed]].

 

BIGGEST REFORMS IN POLICING IN 200 YEARS

The Home Secretary has announced the biggest overhaul of policing in
two hundred years.

 

These reforms will fix our broken system and ensure that residents in
Cardiff East get the protection they deserve.

We are introducing strict new targets:

* 999 calls must be answered within 10 seconds
* Officers will be expected at serious incidents within 15 minutes

To ensure these standards are met, we are launching a review to reduce
the number of police forces (there are currently 44) and cutting waste
to save £350 million which can be used on the frontline.

A new National Police Service will tackle complex crimes like terror,
organised crime and fraud, freeing up local neighbourhood police
officers to focus on shoplifting and antisocial behaviour.

Every ward already has a named, contactable officer, but we will also
guarantee a response to local concerns within 72 hours. By cutting red
tape and raising standards, the number of local police on our streets
will increase and the drive to reduce crime will continue. Just last
week, official statistics for homicides in England and Wales were
released showing they fell to their lowest level since records began.
Knife crime has also dropped by 9%. 

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

 

SUPPORTING OUR ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS COMMUNITY

The Armed Forces Bill which is making its way through Parliament,
marks a major step forward in supporting our armed forces personnel,
veterans, and their families.

The Bill creates a new Defence Housing Service to fix and improve
military homes, ensuring our service personnel live in the
high-quality homes they deserve.

We are also delivering on our promise to adopt the Armed Forces
Covenant across government. This means better access to healthcare,
education, and housing support for our armed forces.

Our armed forces make huge sacrifices to keep us safe. Our UK Labour
Government is determined to ensure they have the high-quality homes
and support they need.

 

CELEBRATING INDIA'S 77TH REPUBLIC DAY

It was an honour to attend the 77th Indian Republic Day celebration at
the historic Guildhall.

 The event featured brilliant Dhol players and Bhangra dancers,
showcasing the richness of Indian culture. The Speaker of the House of
Commons spoke about the close and long‑standing relationship between
Britain and India, highlighting the importance of continuing to build
on those strong ties.

Thank you to the High Commission of India and their team for welcoming
us.

 

[Labour Rose]
 

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