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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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%.