My latest newsletter is out now!


** June 2022 Newsletter
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** TATA STEEL STEELWORKS VISIT
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I visited Tata Steel Steelworks in Port Talbot this month with Jonathan Reynolds MP. An excellent opportunity to thank local steelworkers and discuss Labour’s Green Steel Investment Plan, which would offer the industry the chance to thrive in the decades ahead.

Large-scale investment is needed to decarbonise the steelworks and ensure job security, sustainability, and the works’ future.

The Labour Party is putting good jobs at the heart of our plans for a greener economy, starting with an ambitious ten-year investment to support Britain’s manufacturers to “win the global race” to decarbonise. Our vision to tackle the climate crisis and inequality is to back Britain’s manufacturers. Labour would invest up to £3bn over the coming decade to green the steel industry, working with steelmakers to secure a proud future to match the proud past and present of Britain’s steel communities. For levelling up, security, and greening the economy, the UK steel industry has never been more important.


** PORT TALBOT AND CYMMER ADVICE SURGERIES
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This month I held advice surgeries in Port Talbot and Cymmer which provided an opportunity to talk about local issues and concerns. If you live in Aberavon, my advice surgeries are your chance to speak with me about the issues that matter most to you and to raise any issues you are having that I may be able to support you with.


** CWMAFAN MARKET
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I had a great time at Cwmafan Market, visiting some fantastic local businesses. Congratulations to the Friends of the Hospital Port Talbot for winning the quiz. The market is on the third Saturday of the month at Cwmafan Community and Engagement Centre.


** VISIT TO JES GROUP
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I visited a fantastic local business JES Group to congratulate them on passing the 100 employees mark. JES started with a small workshop and a labour force of 8 people at a facility in Taibach. Today, they have over 35 years of experience within the mechanical engineering industry, with clients throughout the UK.


** Q&A AT SANDFIELDS PRIMARY SCHOOL
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Another fantastic visit to Sandfields Primary School to see the Sandy Sixes. Some great questions about my role as an MP and the issues facing Aberavon. I look forward to visiting again soon.


** DOOR KNOCKING IN PORT TALBOT WARD
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It was great to be out and about to knock on doors with our two brilliant candidates for the Port Talbot ward election on Thursday, 23 June! Lots of support on the doorsteps for Saifur Rahaman and Sharon Freeguard.


** DOOR-KNOCKING IN WAKEFIELD
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Reporting for duty in Wakefield! This month I was out knocking on doors in Wakefield, where I spoke to voters about Labour’s plan to tackle the cost-of-living crisis. Wakefield hasn’t had proper representation in Parliament for over two years. Labour’s candidate Simon Lightwood will change that by being a strong local voice in Westminster who will deliver for the people of Wakefield.


** RENAISSANCE AT THE STOKE LABOUR PARTY
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This month I took Labour Renaissance to the Stoke Labour members. I spoke about the political climate, the findings from Renaissance's report on winning back the trust of former Labour voters and our recommendations on how Labour can own the political agenda and persuade voters.


** RADIX BIG TENT IDEAS FESTIVAL
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I spoke at the Radix Big Tent Ideas Festival 2022 in Bristol this month. I had some fascinating policy conversations on regeneration, net-zero, the future of the media and how big data can transform our public services.


** This Month In Parliament
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Standing up for Small and Medium Sized Businesses at the EU Retained Law debate


This month I stood up for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMEs) - the backbone of the British economy, driving innovation and creating jobs -in the House of Commons Chamber. Questioning the Brexit Opportunities Minister (Jacob Rees-Mogg), I asked how SMEs are supposed to deal with the mountain of red tape forced upon them because of this Government’s botched Brexit deal. The Minister gave a bizarre reply, simply saying, “the retained EU law Bill”. This will do little to help SMEs, such as those in Aberavon, deal with the mountain of red tape that is currently suffocating them.
Cost-of-living crisis

I have tirelessly campaigned in parliament for much-needed support for households struggling with rising living costs. The Conservative Government’s new legislative agenda offered no support for the cost-of-living crisis– nor anything to build that growing and more resilient economy Britain desperately needs. After months of calls by the Labour party, the Conservatives finally decided to impose a windfall tax on energy companies - yet another U-turn for Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government. Every day the UK government refused to act, hundreds of millions of pounds have been added to the bills of families across the country. Dither and delay from this Prime Minister has cost working families dearly.
Meeting Evgenia Kara-Murza

It was an honour to meet Evgenia Kara-Murza in Parliament and support her campaign to free Vladimir Kara-Murza, a British-Russian citizen and leading opponent of Putin who faces ten years in a Russian prison for speaking out against the Ukraine war. Vladimir Kara-Murza, the bravest man I know – rivalled only by his wife, Evgenia.
Opposition Day debate on the HM Passport Office Backlog

I opened the Opposition Day debate on the HM Passport Office Backlog. From court cases to hospital waiting lists to passports - everywhere you look, our country is bogged down in delays and chaos. The year is 2022, and this is Boris Johnson's Backlog Britain. This month 295 Conservative MPs showed contempt for the British people by rejecting our motion, which would have forced the Minister to apologise for chaos at the Passport Office. And he refused to reveal how big the backlog is!


** Media Highlights
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Talk TV and BBC News, 15 June 2022

This month I went on Talk Tv and BBC News to discuss the Home Office's disastrous Rwanda plan. The Rwanda plan isn't deterring migrants and is eye-wateringly expensive. Instead, Labour would partner with countries close to war zones to process applications outside the UK. We would also negotiate security partnerships and returns agreements allowing us to return to pre-Patel speed for asylum processing.
Mirror - Britain's steel industry 'at risk without investment in green manufacturing', 1 June 2022.

I was quoted in the Mirror speaking about the need for investment in our steel industry. So far, we are yet to see the kind of long-term, green steel investment plan from the UK government that would give the industry the long-term assurances it needs.

BBC Radio 4 Today, 30 May 2022

I spoke on BBC Radio 4 about the lack of support provided by the UK government to Ukraine. The UK government talks a lot about supporting heroic Ukrainians, but in practice, its' offer to their family members who are fleeing Putin's barbarism isn't working. In the interview, I highlighted the bureaucracy and delays creating enormous problems for Ukrainian families.

The Guardian - Over 500 Ukrainian children stuck waiting for UK visa decision, 29 May 2022

I was quoted in the Guardian commenting on the over 500 Ukrainian children stuck waiting for a UK visa decision. I said, “I have only this week raised concerns in a letter to the immigration minister regarding the government’s policy on unaccompanied minors, but this latest information reflects the potential scale of the problem.

Labour in communications, 16 May 2022

I spoke with Harry McNeill for Labour in communication’s 44th Q&A. We discussed Labour’s plan to establish a firm, fair and well-managed immigration system to end the ‘hostile environment’ that caused the Windrush scandal of British citizens being deported. Labour’s system will be built on human rights and aimed at meeting the skills and labour shortages that exist in our economy and public services.


** Contact Details
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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] (mailto:[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 [link removed]

Check my website and Facebook page for details of my next advice surgery.
All the best,

Stephen Kinnock
MP for Aberavon

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My mailing address is:
MP for Aberavon
Water Street Business Centre
Water Street
Port Talbot, Neath Port Talbot SA12 6LF
United Kingdom

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