Parliamentary Diary

Dear Friend,

I hope you and your families are staying safe and well during these challenging times.

Last week Wales reached an incredibly important milestone since the pandemic began – the first country in the UK to have offered a vaccine to everyone in the first 4 priority groups. This week, coronavirus cases are now at their lowest across Wales since the end of September.

This has been a truly phenomenal effort by everyone involved who has been working around the clock to see this milestone reached and of course as a result of our sacrifices to stay at home and keep each other safe.

But the hard work must go on as there are still many more people to vaccinate. The First Minister announced today that we must stay at home a little longer to ensure our youngest children can return to school safely. I know how difficult this has been for all of us, but if we continue to make progress on falling cases alongside the success of the vaccine rollout, we can see a pathway into spring where we could see a careful and cautious approach to reopening society.

There is hope on the horizon thanks to the fantastic efforts of our vaccination teams, however we must keep pulling together, to drive down infections further, protect our NHS and lead us out of lockdown.

As ever, my team and I are here for you. If you're struggling please remember to reach out to friends or family and please do not hesitate get in touch with me if I can help on [email protected]. (mailto:[email protected])

With very best wishes,
Anna McMorrin MP
Local Covid-19 Update
Almost 1 in 3 adults in Wales have now received their first vaccine- around 839,065 people. Over 25,433 people have also had their second dose. On a local level, I met with the Cardiff and Vale Health Board today for an update on the vaccine rollout and virus prevalence in our communities.

Prevalence is reducing and vaccines are increasing which is a positive sign for the health board, but as covid demand decreases, they're seeing demand for other treatments increase. Our hospital staff are still facing significant challenges in our hospitals.

I have sought assurances that when our children return to schools and colleges that there will be close monitoring and case-measuring to ensure we have an accurate picture of the impact on prevalence and our children and families are as safe as possible.
Brexit red tape is costing livelihoods

View Article ([link removed])
Businesses in Cardiff North are paying the price for the UK Government’s 11 hour Brexit deal and impossible red tape. New rules have seen the playing field businesses like Famiglia Castagnetta in Cardiff North have enjoyed for over 30 years decimated overnight.

This week we met with the Welsh Secretary of State so that he could hear firsthand the difficulties small local businesses are experiencing exporting to the EU. Shipping time has more than doubled, transportation costs increased and profit margins shrinking – unable to offset their losses or risk losing out to their competitors in the EU.

Businesses don’t want excuses, they want action. I hope the Secretary of State will deliver on his promises to advocate for local businesses so that they don't continue to suffer.

My comments in Wales Online. ([link removed])
A new chapter for Britain
Yesterday, Keir Starmer set out UK Labour's bold vision for a better, fairer and more secure Britain. A future where opportunity is distributed fairly across every community and which harnesses the strengths and talents of everyone to build a Britain that is stronger, greener, and more just — and puts climate change at the heart of everything we do.

The Tories want to rebuild the system they engineered which left Britain vulnerable to economic shock. We cannot go back to business as usual. Labour will build a better Britain.

Find out more. ([link removed])
Footprints Cardiff North goes live!
Join Footprints! ([link removed])
A year ago I held an open discussion on Cardiff North's priorities. You told me of your biggest concerns was the climate crisis and that you wanted to see change in our individual behaviour and in our communities for the better.

We're really pleased that our new community initiative – Footprints – is now live on social media. Formerly known as the Cardiff North Eco Team, Footprints is a community network that seeks to share ideas, information and work together as a community to encourage others to live more sustainably and be a little kinder to our planet. Find out more in the video below and watch this space!

Click the link above and join us in stepping towards a more sustainable Cardiff North.
My calls to halt all fossil fuels investment overseas
View Labour List Article ([link removed])
Labour has long called for the end of fossil fuel investment overseas. The damage UK fossil fuel investments cause to people and planet is well-documented: displacement, poisoned ecosystems and waterways, food scarcity and more.

I'm calling on UK Government to now show decisive climate leadership and urgently halt all fossil fuel projects still under consideration, before causing further immeasurable suffering.

Find out more on Labour's calls to UK Government in this (http://) Labour List article ([link removed]) ([link removed]) and a piece I’ve written for Left Foot Forward. ([link removed])
Heart Unions Week
[link removed]
Join a Union! ([link removed])
Last week we celebrated Heart Unions week - a celebration of the fantastic work of our unions, the critical role they play in standing up for workers’ rights and fighting for fairer working conditions. We’re stronger together- so if you haven’t already joined one, please consider joining one today!
Concerns raised over controversial Biomass Plant Vote

Many constituents have contacted me to express their dismay with a recent planning committee meeting where a Planning Officer was seen celebrating the vote passing ([link removed]) and the planning application being renewed.

I have written to the Head of Planning to express my concern on their behalf-not least because of the climate emergency we face, but due to the apparent lack of impartiality shown by the Planning Officer responsible.

The proposed wood-burning plant is not situated in my constituency of Cardiff North. However, I strongly oppose the development as it is a real cause for environmental concern and will have adverse implications for people living in Cardiff North and the city more widely.

Air quality in Cardiff is ranked worse than in London. It is illogical to establish a huge industrial-scale burner using imported wood from Latvia (chopping down trees, transporting them to Wales to burn them) and to bear witness to a hike in our city’s carbon emissions and our citizens’ associated health concerns.

It’s ultimately local residents' lives, their children and grandchildren’s lives, their homes and communities that will be adversely affected by this development and I believe they deserve an apology.
Show The Love comes to Cardiff North!

Throughout February communities have been celebrating Show The Love - an annual celebration of all that we want to protect from the climate crisis. Through the power of handmade green hearts communities have been raising awareness of the emergency we face and demanding urgent climate action.

It was great to see the display from Birchgrove WI and friends in the window of Iechyd Da in Whitchurch and there's also a fantastic display at Canolfan Beulah in Rhiwbina.
Vaccine Scam Alert!

There is a false text message circulating inviting people for a coronavirus vaccine. If you're eligible for a vaccine you'll only be contacted by the NHS, usually through a phone call or a letter and they'll never ask for your bank details.

If you receive one of these texts, please report to Ofcom on 7726.

As always, please get in touch with your feedback!

Anna
MP for Cardiff North
AS dros Ogledd Caerdydd

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