"Priority must be keeping Tata Steel in business"

Responding to the Economy Minister's Statement in the Welsh Parliament on Tata Steel, I spoke of the vital contribution that Tata Steel Colours in Shotton makes to the North East Wales economy, and stressed that the "priority must be keeping Tata Steel in business".

I voted against the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill at its final stage, the Stage 4 Debate. As Shadow Local Government Minister, I described it as "a missed opportunity" and criticised the Local Government Minister for leading her Party to defeat all the amendments I proposed, which sought to share real power with people and communities across Wales and were based upon evidence provided by the relevant expert bodies.

Questioning the Local Government Minister the following day, I referred to the recent Building Communities Trust report on 'Building Stronger Welsh Communities', which found that 'people in Wales feel increasingly less able to influence decisions affecting their local area', and that 'worthy words are not being backed up by action'.

With BBC Wales recently reporting that nearly a quarter of the rough-sleepers given temporary housing during Wales' first Covid lockdown were living on the streets again, and charity 'Crisis' reporting that people with experience of homelessness can find it challenging accessing and maintaining a permanent home, I also called on the Minister to engage with the sector to design, deliver and monitor a better, more sustainable way of addressing the issue.

I called on the Energy Minister to allow responsible local businesses to deliver the Welsh Government's fuel poverty schemes after its 'Arbed' area-based fuel poverty programme had to be investigated when it left Arfon residents with damaged homes.

I again backed calls for better access and funding for children's hospices in Wales after the 'Family Voices' report into children's hospices in Wales, published by Tŷ Gobaith and Tŷ Hafan Hospices, highlighted that funding in Wales "has been static for a number of years and is currently the lowest statutory contribution of the four UK home nations''.

Online engagements included Welsh Parliament's Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee, Cross Party Group On Deaf Issues, Cross Party Housing Group, and meeting my Intern.

North Wales engagements included Wrexham Glyndŵr Students' Union 'virtual town hall' event to better understand what it is like to be a student during a global pandemic, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board's 2020 Neurosciences Annual Conference, Wrexham Town Centre Forum meeting, Chairing NWAMI's International Group, and Wrexham-Bidston Rail Users Association AGM.

Stay safe. If you need my help, email Mark.Isherwood@senedd.wales or call 0300 200 7219.