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Weekly Parliamentary Diary
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Parliament Declares a Climate Emergency
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Climate Change is one of the biggest issues this planet faces and these last couple of weeks have rightly seen a focus on the urgent and radical action that is needed to tackle climate change.
This week, Parliament voted unanimously and declared a Climate and Environment Emergency in the UK. It should not have taken the extraordinary sixteen year old, Greta Thunberg, or the disruptive tactics of Extinction Rebellion to wake the country up to this catastrophe we face. This historic result in Parliament will be in vain if this Conservative Government fails to take it seriously and take action.
In the Climate and Environment Debate, I called for a Conservation Audit of our biodiversity which is vital if we are to understand the severity of this ecological crisis. I also made it very clear to the Secretary of State for Environment, Michael Gove that his warm words were simply not enough. Subsidies are being cut from solar and onshore wind and we need to see real action across all Government departments - like in Wales - to cut carbon and preserve our environment.
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Here's my question to Michael Gove and you can also view my question to Jeremy Corbyn here:
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Chris Packham in Parliament
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It was a pleasure to host Chris Packham in Parliament on Wednesday for an informed discussion with parliamentarians, members of the Lords and environmental organisations on conservation and the environment and how to implement his 'People's Manifesto for Wildlife.'
I joined him in calling on the UK Government to urgently establish a body to carry out a nature audit so we can assess what impact we are having on our natural environment and take the immediate action that is needed.
Thank you to Baroness Anita Gale for supporting this event in the Lords.
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This week, I raised the horrific conditions residents of Lydstep Flats are living in since their external cladding was removed following the tragic events of Grenfell.
I have written to Cardiff Council, to the Welsh Government Housing Minister and I have raised this important issue with the UK Government. There is no central funding available to implement the UK Government policy of replacing the cladding. I therefore argued that the UK Government must ensure fair funding comes to Wales to ensure our cash-strapped councils can re-clad the high rise buildings.
Conditions are worsening and residents should not have to live in fear of their safety or of their health and our local Labour Councillors, Cllr Dilwar Ali and Jennifer Burke-Davies have been fighting hard on this. I will continue to work with elected representatives to push for Lydstep Flats to be re-cladded as a matter of urgency.
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Solar Support Schemes Scrapped
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In the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy questions on Tuesday, I asked the Minster why his department has scrapped all support schemes for solar energy in the UK, allowing the UK to plummet straight to the bottom of Solar Power Europe’s League tables.
I will be seeking a meeting with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to discuss the damanging Government policies on Solar in the UK, which goes against moves towards transitioning to clean energy.
You can watch my question here:
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Foodbank Usage Increase: Letter to Amber Rudd
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The Trussell Trust recently released their end of year figures which are extremely concerning. Between the 1st April 2018 and the 31st March 2019, 13,248 three-day emergency food parcels were given out by Cardiff Council to local people in crisis. 5,041 of these parcels went to children.
This is unacceptable and it is not a coincidence that these increases have occured 12 months after the roll out of Universal Credit. I wrote to Amber Rudd to express my disgust at her failure to recognise the damaging policies of welfare reform are pushing working families deeper into poverty.
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Really pleased to watch our new Welsh Labour MP paying a wonderful tribute to her predecessor Paul Flynn MP, in her maiden speech. She spoke with warmth and compassion about Newport West and about the impact of austerity on those communities. I know she will be a fantastic MP.
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Lisvane Old School Redevelopment
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A great meeting this morning with Lisvane Community Councillors & Trustees of Lisvane Old School about their exciting redevelopment plans for a community centre. With more homes being built in the area, it's important to have a central community hub for families.
Trustees have been working on this for 15 years and so I am looking forward to working with Julie Morgan AM in supporting them with this project.
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Jackie Jones Visits Parliament
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Pleased to be with our no.1 Welsh Labour Candidate Jackie Jones in Parliament this week. Jackie will be a great advocate for Wales in the European Parliament, and like all Welsh Labour EU election candidates, supports a final say on Brexit.
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I've also been out and about in Cardiff North campaigning to Vote Labour in the Euro Elections to ensure we have a strong voice standing up for Wales in the European Parliament.
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European Elections Voter Registration Deadline
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Please remember the deadline to register to vote in the EU elections is the 7th May.
This time, EU27 citizens must fill in an extra form which can be found here:
For British citizens to register - here:
For EU 27 citizens to register - here:
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Cardiff North Labour May Day Dinner Tonight!
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I am really looking forward to this evening's celebrations with myself, Julie Morgan AM, Cardiff North Councillors Phil Bale, Graham Hinchey, Jen Burke Davies, Dilwar Ali and Guest Speaker Mark Drakeford AM.
Thank you to the fundraising committee who have worked exceptionally hard to arrange this evening, which promises to be a great night and with good food, entertainment and speeches!
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As always, please get in touch with your feedback!
Anna
MP for Cardiff North
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