Heledd Fychan Canol De Cymru - South Wales Central

Here is a summary of my work in the Senedd and across the region over the last week:

Monday

I started the week in Edinburgh, at a British Irish Parliamentary Assembly committee meeting. The latest inquiry is on rural housing, and it was fascinating to hear evidence from different stakeholders about policy developments in Scotland.

Tuesday and Wednesday in the Senedd:

During the business statement I raised two concerns. Firstly, I requested a statement from the Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism on how the Welsh Government plans to ensure the protection of the national collections at the National Library of Wales and Amgueddfa Cymru in light of budget cuts to this sector. Secondly, I asked for an update from the Deputy Minister for Climate Change on the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008 and its current status after the recent review. I noted that several councils are reconsidering their school transport services, which is causing concern among parents and students. I emphasised the need for clarity on the travel measure and asked the Government to provide a timeline for this process. Read the full response here https://record.assembly.wales/Plenary/13712#C566202

In response to the Social Justice statement on the Welsh Benefit system, I voiced concerns about the accessibility of the entire benefits system in both English and Welsh languages. Currently, the benefits system remains a matter under the control of the UK Government. Read the full response here https://record.assembly.wales/Plenary/13712#C566339

I responded to the Education Statement on the Welsh Language Technology Action Plan where I welcomed the developments made by the Welsh Government for their work with companies like Duolingo. I also asked the Minister what the next steps are to keep improving and making use of the Welsh language in technology more widespread. Read the full response here. https://record.assembly.wales/Plenary/13712#C566362

I responded to the Welsh Government debate on the police settlement where I expressed concern about the termination of the School Beat Cymru initiative, a programme highly valued by schools, police, and communities. Read the full response here. https://record.assembly.wales/Plenary/13712#C566471

During Education and Welsh Language Questions I was able to ask two questions. Firstly, as Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for Education and Welsh language, I raised concerns about the reduction in the number of university applications from people in Wales, particularly for essential courses like medicine, dentistry, and midwifery as well as the lack of university support for individuals with caring responsibilities, and the gender gaps in key STEM subjects. You can read the full response here: https://record.assembly.wales/Plenary/13713#C567049

Secondly, as a regional Senedd member, I questioned the Minister about the National Eisteddfod coming to Pontypridd. I asked what discussions the Welsh government has had regarding offering free or discounted access for residents. You can read the full response here: https://record.assembly.wales/Plenary/13713#C567049

I spoke in Plaid Cymru’s debate calling for an Independent Covid Inquiry here in Wales and was disappointed that the Labour Welsh Government has once again rejected our calls for a Wales specific covid inquiry. Avoiding scrutiny is irresponsible. We need to learn lessons and apply them. Read the full response here: https://record.assembly.wales/Plenary/13713#C567244

I participated in Sioned Williams MS’ short debate on the importance of Wales's voice in the campaign for peace—Celebrating the hundredth anniversary of presenting the peace petition by the Women of Wales to President Coolidge and Wales's role in speaking up for peace today. Watch the full debate here: https://record.assembly.wales/Plenary/13713#C567288

During this week I also responded to the Welsh Labour leadership debate between Jeremy Miles and Vaughan Gething on BBC Radio Wales. You can listen to the show here.

Throughout the week, I had the opportunity to meet with various organisations and groups at the Senedd to discuss different campaigns and policy issues. These included Qualifications Wales, The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) Wales to discuss trends in waiting times for children across Wales as well as the Migrants’ Rights Network’s to launch their Words Matter Manifesto where we discussed the impact of harmful language within public life when discussing migrants in the UK.

I also met with a number of constituents relating to casework, which is of course confidential in nature and central to my role and helps shape my work and campaigning.

At the end of the week, I held my sixth cost of living networking event where I invited organisations from across the region to talk directly to one another about the impact of the cost-of-living crisis in our communities; how they are responding; their plans for the future, and what support they might need. These events are so vital to my work as a Senedd member where I hear first-hand about the support needed from local organisations.