Baglan Energy Park Crisis at Wales Orals and BEIS Orals.
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On 05 January and 11 January, in the House of Commons, I pressed the Welsh Secretary and Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to take immediate action to prevent the Official Receiver from turning off the power supply to Baglan Energy Park. Addressing Conservative Minister Lee Rowley MP at Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Questions, I asked, “why will the Minister not step up, take urgent action and direct the official receiver so that the potentially catastrophic consequences for these businesses, houses and communities can be averted.” Both ministers’ responses and the interpretation of the Insolvency Act by the UK government were disappointing and provided no resolution to the businesses at the Energy Park.
The Welsh government has committed to investing around £3 million for a new electricity network and supply for businesses at the park, providing a permanent solution to the energy supply problem. They have contracted Western Power Distribution to design and build a replacement network to supply businesses following the collapse of the previous operator. However, the new connection will not be in place till later this year. Therefore, if the Official Receiver had turned off the power, it would have paralysed businesses having significant consequences for jobs in the area. There were also potentially severe environmental & public health risks.
The Official Receiver was unwilling to change its decision, planning to shut off the power on 14 January. Despite this being a unique and unprecedented situation - and the UK government being aware of the risk of insolvency in December 2020 - government action was left till the eleventh hour. The UK Government failed to step up and act, refusing to use Section 400 of the Insolvency Act to ensure an ongoing power supply to the park until it is connected to the new power supply. Due to the UK government’s failure to intervene, the Welsh government, NPTCBC and Welsh Water applied for an injunction to prevent the Official Receiver from cutting the power supply to Baglan Energy Park. As noted by Johnathan Ridd – a business owner at the park - “Stephen has undertaken a tireless effort on our behalf. Without his support, we would not have achieved the injunction. We are incredibly grateful to him.”
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In the run-up to Small Business Saturday, which was on Saturday the 4 December, I visited some of the best small businesses in Aberavon. I then showcased five fantastic local businesses on my Facebook and Instagram account to encourage people to shop local and support small businesses. I had a great time meeting the inspiring entrepreneurs behind Afan Ales & Fine Wines, The Paint Pot, The Grand Sultan, Austringer Cider and Cinnamon Kitchen. After surviving an incredibly challenging time due to covid lockdowns and restrictions, local businesses like these need our support more than ever.
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Port Talbot’s Virtual Arts Café Launch
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On 09 December, I attended the official Covid-19 delayed launch of Port Talbot’s online Arts Café at Blanco’s Hotel and Restaurant. The National Lottery funded project looks to equip residents of all ages from Port Talbot and the larger Swansea Bay City Area with the opportunity, the means, support, platform and digital training to create a virtual venue for those in the artistic community to exhibit and perform to a much larger audience. PTArtsCafé will complement the physical space that the Plaza redevelopment Project will offer by providing artists and performers with a virtual space and access to a worldwide audience. This innovative project aims to build a community of interest that uses the Arts, Music and Performance to generate a collective.
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On 07 January, I held a virtual advice surgery, where I spoke with residents about issues affecting them. Thank you to everyone who took the time to talk with me
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Neath Port Talbot Council Test, Trace, Protect team.
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On 14 December, I got the opportunity to meet and thank the Neath Port Talbot Council Test, Trace, Protect team for their hard work throughout the pandemic. The team are involved in testing people for coronavirus, tracking the spread of the virus, then tracing the people an infected person has come into contact with. The vital service they provide has been instrumental in containing the spread of the virus and keeping us all safe.
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Visit to Royal Mail Delivery Office
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On 10 December, I visited the Post Office Delivery Office in Eagle Street and got the opportunity to meet and say thank you to some of the key workers who continued to deliver our mail during the pandemic. I also got to see first-hand the hard work put in to get our Christmas post delivered over the festive season.
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Aberavon Christmas Campaign 2021
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In December, I relaunched my Aberavon Christmas Campaign, in which I deliver donations to foodbanks and care homes in Aberavon. Thanks to the support of Morrisons, I was able to provide some festive cheer to the residents and staff of care homes across Aberavon. I was delighted to have the opportunity to meet and say a huge thank you to some of the wonderful carers working in Port Talbot to keep our loved ones safe. The essential work carried out by these dedicated men and women has been instrumental in protecting the most vulnerable of our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thanks to the support of Tesco and Amazon, I was able to donate some Christmas treats to four food banks across Aberavon. Allowing me to meet some of the wonderful staff whose dedication and commitment to their work provides a vital lifeline to individuals and families in crisis. The need for foodbanks – in one of the richest countries in the world – is not inevitable but rather a policy choice by the Conservative government. Food banks are increasingly unable to meet the demand caused by the Conservative-made cost of living crisis, the £20-a-week universal credit cut and other measures that are resulting in a shrinking welfare state.
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Christmas Card Competition 2021
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The winner of my Christmas Card Competition 2021 was Chloe Evans from Ysgol Bae Baglan, with her marvellous painting of the Kite Tail sculpture on Aberavon beach. I received over 500 fantastic submissions from schools across the constituency, including Coedffranc Primary School, Coed Hirwaun Primary School, Cwmafan Primary School, Ysgol Bae Baglan School, Ysgol Carreg Hir and St. Therese’s Catholic Primary School. Thanks to all the schools and pupils who took part this year, and congratulations to Chloe!
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Christmas Returns to Port Talbot Parade
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On the 27 November, I attended the Christmas Returns to Port Talbot Parade organised by Viva Port Talbot. The Business Improvement District plays an active role in our community, working to regenerate the high street. The event had an incredible turnout from the town and provided the opportunity to do some Christmas shopping in the town centre.
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Shadow Minister for the Armed Forces
In December, I was appointed Shadow Minister for the Armed Forces. It was an honour and privilege to serve in Lisa Nandy’s Foreign Affairs team since April 2020. I am particularly excited to have joined John Healey’s team as Shadow Minister for the Armed Forces, as it will allow me to stand up for our armed forces and the vital part they play in our national security.
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Reducing Costs for Businesses Debate
On 11 January I spoke in Commons about the need to reduce costs for businesses. In my speech, I highlighted that after 11 years Britain is fed up with low wages and low growth Tory chancellors. Labour will buy, make and sell more in Britain – backing enterprise and building a more resilient Britain that can stand more firmly on its own two feet. Labour would help create 100,000 new businesses over 5 years and boost the start-up loan scheme. Labour would create a £600million contingency fund to support struggling firms, paid for by a one-off windfall tax on record North Sea oil and gas profits.
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Operation Pitting Parliamentary Reception
It was a privilege to welcome the brave servicemen and women who led Operation Pitting and helped so many British citizens and Afghan nationals escape from Afghanistan last year. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude. I'm pleased to say that, after pressure from Labour, the UK government will finally award medals to those brave men and women who participated in Operation Pitting."
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The Times – Give British steelmakers lower energy costs and tax exemptions, 07 December 2021
I wrote an article in the Times about the need for lower energy costs and tax exemptions for the British steel industry. My article discussed the importance of lifting the tariffs on UK steel. Conservative ministers - such as Anne-Marie - promised to deliver considerable benefits to our steel industry post- Brexit. But they are delivering the very opposite. The Conservative government must stop letting down our steelworkers. To ‘level up’, boost Britain’s resilience, and transition to net zero, we need a manufacturing renaissance - backed by a strong steel industry. The UK government must get our steelmakers exemptions from US tariffs and level the playing field with European competitors.
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Mirror Online – Steel firms’ hopes of cutting carbon output ‘hampered’ by high electricity costs, 07 December 2021
I spoke to Mirror Online about the need to cut electricity costs for the British Steel Industry. In the article, I explained how Conservative government ministers have been at pains to point out their ambitions to take the opportunities offered by Brexit – yet in reality, they are refusing to back British industry. As a result, our steelmakers continue to compete with one hand tied behind their back. The article also highlighted a UK Steel report, ‘A barrier to decarbonisation: Industrial electricity prices faced by UK steelmakers’, which shows how British firms face higher costs than foreign rivals, which can then sell their steel more cheaply.
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Sky News, 08 December 2021
I went on Sky News, where I discussed the failure of leadership at the heart of government. I urged the Prime Minister to stop treating the British people with contempt and to come forward and tell the truth about the parties that took place at No10. I also discussed the incompetence of the former Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who was on a sun lounger while the capital of Afghanistan – Kabul – was falling to the Taliban. I also touched on the governments’ skewed priorities in evacuating dogs rather than people. I also made similar comments that day on BBC Politics Live and Talk Radio
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Times Radio, 08 December 2021
I spoke to John Pienaar at the Times Radio, where I called Boris Johnson a liar concerning his denial of the Downing Street parties. John Pienaar: “Do you say that the prime minister is a liar?” Stephen Kinnock: “Yes, he is a liar.”
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LBC, 08 December 2021
I spoke to Eddie Mair on LBC, where I discussed the resignation of Allegra Stratton and the No.10 Christmas Party. During the interview, I raised my concern that the Prime Minister will do whatever it takes to save his political skin and willingness to throw people under the bus. I highlighted that if the Prime Minister is found to have misled the house -which he now has- he must resign.
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BBC Radio 4 Westminster Hour, 28 November 2021
I joined Westminster Hour host Carolyn Quinn and former Cabinet minister Damian Green, the SNP’s Kirsten Oswald and Telegraph journalist Lucy Fisher. I discussed Boris Johnson’s focus on headlines and pointed scoring and the need for the UK and French government to start constructive engagement relating to the Channel boats crisis. During the Brexit process, Labour told the UK government to negotiate a replacement for the EU Dublin III Regulation, which allowed the UK to return illegal migrants to France. However, the government ignored us. People smugglers noticed this, and the result is costing lives.
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You can get in touch with us by calling the office on 01639 897660.
Alternatively please send an email to [email protected]
We are not currently operating a drop-in surgery in the office, but you can book a call-back or Teams appointment with a caseworker, Monday to Friday, by completing this form https://bit.ly/2ySiyh9
Check my website and Facebook page for details of my next advice surgery.
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Stephen Kinnock
MP for Aberavon
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