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Dear Friend,
Our NHS Turns 73!
This week we marked 73 years of our beloved NHS - born in Wales and Labour's proudest achievement.
These past 16 months have been a true struggle and our NHS has been our backbone. It's anniversary was an opportunity to thank all the NHS staff and volunteers for their unwavering dedication and compassion day in and day out and to whom many of us and our loved ones owe our lives.
They've worked incredibly long hours, their families have faced immense pressures being there for our loved ones and holding their hand when we couldn't. And no doubt they will once again pick up the pieces when we start to see the impact of the Prime Minister's recklessness towards lifting all measures on his so called 'Freedom Day' in England.
To recognise the critical role the NHS has played in our lives since 1948, NHS Wales was awarded a George Cross. It's truly well-deserved, but fair funding to Wales from UK Government to ensure pay rises for NHS and social care staff is also sorely needed.
Here's an update on what I've been up to in Parliament and Cardiff North over the last couple of weeks. As ever, my team and I are here for you. If you need assistance, please do not hesitate get in touch with me on [email protected].
With very best wishes,
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Anna McMorrin MP
Member of Parliament for Cardiff North
Aelod Seneddol dros Ogledd Caerdydd
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Crystal Glen Street Surgery
It was great to join local residents in a street surgery with Julie Morgan MS last week to discuss speeding issues and enforcement measures in the area. Speeding and dangerous driving have been longstanding issues in the area and Julie and I will continue to work with residents to push for further and more robust measures to be implemented.
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New Restaurant & Take-away comes to Whitchurch High Street
I popped in to say hello to Mark and Rita at La Cucina Da Mara - a new Italian Restaurant and Takeaway opening on Whitchurch High Street. They're just putting the finishing touches on the place and are set to open in a couple of weeks. I look forward to trying it out with the team!
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Community Meeting with Velindre Update
We recently invited local community groups and Velindre to Whitchurch Rugby Club as an opportunity to ask questions and have their say. Numbers were restricted due to covid rules, but it was a productive meeting and what's clear is that the local community would like to see more of these engagement sessions with more detail on particular topics for example, mitigation of future flooding, construction and community benefits etc.
An update for those who were unable to attend the meeting is now available and can be found using the link below.
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Hollybush Estate and
Whitworth Square Walkabouts
Julie and I invited Velindre to both the Hollybush Estate and Whitworth Square recently to talk to local residents about the development and to address any concerns they may have.
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The proposed access bridge through the Hollybush Estate would be far too close to people's homes and will have a real detrimental impact on local residents. Julie and I are calling on Velindre to scrap the plans for the emergency access route through the estate and we will continue to press Velindre to take action on this.
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Victoria Road Street Surgery
It was great to meet local constituents for a street surgery on Victoria Road, Whitchurch with the Cabinet Member for Transport, Cllr Caro Wild. Residents have raised longstanding concerns about traffic and parking congestion in the area especially when footfall in the local takeaway is high.
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It was a productive discussion with lots of ideas on how to alleviate the issues discussed that I will continue to take forward.
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Llwynfedw Gardens Advice Surgery
Cllr Graham Hinchey and I held an advice surgery at the newly improved Llwynfedw Gardens recently. Constituents raised issues on the environment and the Local Development Plan. It was great to see the hard work of the local community pay off with the improvements that we can all enjoy!
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Walking the Covid Memorial Wall
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This week as we marked 73 years of the NHS I visited the Covid Memorial Wall in Westminster. Each heart was a poignant and sad reminder of the tragic loss of life and of families and loved ones left behind. But it was also a reminder of the monumental efforts of our NHS as we mark its 73rd birthday.
Diolch, NHS.
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Policing Bill A Missed Opportunity
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This week saw the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill come back to Parliament for its Third Reading. It was a real missed opportunity to protect victims and help fix the broken criminal justice system under the Tories.
I could not support it.
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In its current form, the Tories’ Bill fails to protect or deliver justice for victims and is not fit for purpose. I supported Labour’s amendments and voted for far stronger laws to protect victims who are being failed by the crisis the Tories have created in the justice system including:
- a new minimum sentence for rape
- less traumatic ways for victims of sexual assault to give pre-recorded evidence prior to trial
- tougher sentences to protect retail workers from assault
- a new sentence for stalking
- a review of sentencing for domestic homicide and abuse
- stronger sentences for pet theft
We put forward credible proposals to strengthen the law and make our system more responsive to victims’ experiences. However the Tories consistently voted against them and instead hastened through a Bill without allowing time for the scrutiny it deserves.
The result? An ill-thought-out Bill which looks to lock up protesters for damaging statues of slave owners longer than those who rape women and which isn’t tough on crime but is tough on our freedoms and civil liberties.
This Bill should have been the watershed moment to help fix our broken criminal justice system. Instead the UK Government has failed on all fronts. We must do far better to ensure victims are seen, supported and protected and the UK Government must work with Labour to achieve this.
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PIP Assessments Failing Disabled People
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Trapped, isolated and suicidal.
Feelings many in Cardiff North are battling daily as a result of incorrect PIP assessments. The benefits system should be a compassionate safety net for those who need it most. The hostile environment of the DWP and its inaccurate decisions result in 4 in 5 experiencing immense stress, financial insecurity, isolation, poor mental health and even contemplating suicide in the case of my constituents. As it stands, the system is devoid of compassion, with four in five inaccurate decisions overturned at Tribunal.
I raised this at DWP Questions recently and asked what the Minister is doing to ensure assessments are right first time and that this trauma and delay is avoided.
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UK Govt Failing Women and Girls
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This Tory Government is failing to protect women and girls from rising violence and abuse. They are the victims of systemic failure. Apologies and broken promises are not enough.
Labour has a plan so why won’t the Government work with us to achieve it?
I raised this at Justice Questions.
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Mental Health Support
A constituent contacted me as he was concerned his son had been misdiagnosed and was therefore not receiving the correct mental health support. He was hoping to receive a second opinion to alleviate concerns. I got in touch with the Health Board's Concerns Team and arranged a second opinion for the family.I am pleased things have progressed and support is being provided.
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Assistance For Mother and Son
A constituent seeking Asylum with a young son had been waiting for interview with the Home Office for over 2 years. The uncertainty was inevitably having a detrimental impact on her mental health and the wellbeing of both mother and child. I contacted the Home Office to express concerns and I'm pleased she has now had her Home Office interview.
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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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