Parliamentary Diary- Fire Break & Fighting for Freelancers

Parliamentary Diary

Dear Friend,

I hope you're all keeping safe and well as we head into the two week fire break this evening.

The First Minister has made the difficult yet decisive move based on robust scientific advice, asking everyone to stay at home and for businesses to close in order to save lives, livelihoods and protect our NHS.

There is no easy fix to this unprecedented situation we face. With much of Wales already under local restrictions, we needed more robust measures to turn back the tide on the virus, to break the cycle and to provide certainty for our businesses who were struggling under local lockdown restrictions.

This short, sharp intervention does just that and will reduce the R number, bringing the virus back under control.

This crisis has already taken an enormous toll on our wellbeing and mental health, on businesses and livelihoods. I recognise that this fire break requires a further significant sacrifice across Wales but we must pull together to put us on the right track heading into winter and through Christmas with our loved ones.

My team and I are here to help in any way we can. If there's anything we can do to assist please do not hesitate to get in touch on anna.mcmorrin.mp@parliament.uk.

With very best wishes,

My team and I are here for you

Protect the £20 UC Uplift!

I have written to Chancellor Rishi Sunak calling on him to act with compassion and keep the lifeline that is the £20 uplift for Universal Credit. The uplift could be the difference between just about coping and being cut adrift.

It's been a lifeline for so many, including over 5000 people in Cardiff North, throughout the Covid crisis and times of economic hardship.

It must be extended! You can sign the petition to see this extended here.

Businesses are the lifeblood of our communities

Labour Launches Climate Justice Network

Too often the voices of people and communities living on the frontlines of climate change are forgotten, ignored or locked out of decision-making. Labour is determined to give them a voice and ensure climate justice is at the heart of our climate policy platform. That's why I've launched our International Climate Justice Network with the aim of developing party policy and giving a voice to those experiencing the effects of the climate crisis.

Find Out More

Fighting for Freelancers

In Cardiff both phase 1 and phase 2 applications for financial support for Creative Freelancers were oversubscribed in less than an hour. This is unacceptable.

I raised concerns in phase 1 and I have once again written to the Lord Daffyd Elis-Thomas to express my frustration that many in Cardiff North have missed out yet again and to request that this is immediately rectified.

As a capital city, many more freelancers come to Cardiff than elsewhere. A pro rata approach based on need across local authorities would have reflected this. I will continue making interventions on this issue until this is put right.

Join our Cardiff North Eco Team!

Cardiff North constituents have told me that the climate emergency is one of their top priorities. Cardiff North wanted to see an Eco Team and I'd really like your help and ideas to bring that to a reality.

There's been a fantastic response so far, with over 100 people keen to be involved, share ideas and knowledge on how we can live more sustainably.

I am facilitating the first meeting at the rescheduled time of Wednesday 4th November at 7pm and I'd love for you be involved.

Please get in touch to receive the invite link.

UK Govt plays politics with people's lives

At Welsh Questions I asked the Welsh Secretary why the UK Government was playing politics with people's lives by refusing to create parity on travel restrictions from England to Wales to help prevent the spread of the virus from high to low prevalence areas.

NRW Flooding Update

Since the flooding in Whitchurch back in February, Julie and I have been working with residents and NRW to ensure that steps are taken to mitigate future flooding. We've met with NRW on several occasions and residents were able to put their concerns directly to them for a second time recently.

You can find minutes of our second meeting on my website here:

NRW also published its flood report this week which you can view here.

Tories vote to let children go hungry

This week we saw Conservative MPs voting to let over one million children go hungry over the school holidays.

I'm proud that in Wales, our Welsh Labour Government has stepped in to prevent holiday hunger and have committed to free school meals for every school holiday up to and including Easter 2021.

This is the difference a Labour government makes.

Save Whitchurch Tennis Club!

Julie Morgan MS and I met with Whitchurch Tennis Club at a recent virtual surgery to discuss the club’s future in Cardiff North and ongoing problems with their lease renewal.

We will continue to support the Tennis Club so they can continue their valuable work within the community.

Casework Catch Up

Damp Disaster!

I have been supporting a constituent who is living in a damp and cold property which was causing serious issues for her young baby's physical health and her own mental health. We were able to get a housing review for the family, the conclusion of which is that she should be moved to a more suitable property.

HMRC Hell!

My constituent contacted me as HMRC had incorrectly recorded her earnings. This meant tax credits stopped and she was expected to repay a substantial amount of “unpaid tax”. At such an uncertain time, this was and incredibly worrying situation for my constituent and her family.

We contacted HMRC who apologised and acknowledged the mistake, reinstated tax credits and confirmed no money was owed.

Show Racism the Red Card

We recently celebrated Show Racism the Red Card day - I wore red to celebrate the fantastic work of Show Racism the Red Card charity and in solidarity against all forms of racism wherever we see it.

In a society where hate crime is rising, it’s not enough to be non-racist, you have to be anti-racist.

Mental Health Check In

We recently marked Mental Health Awareness Day 2020. This pandemic has taken an enormous toll on our mental health and wellbeing and as we enter the 2 week fire break I just wanted to check in and remind you of the support that's out there if you're struggling.

Click here for more info.

Fire Break FAQs

You can double check the fire break FAQs from Welsh Government here:

As always, please get in touch with your feedback!

Anna
MP for Cardiff North
AS dros Ogledd Caerdydd

Copyright © 2020 Anna McMorrin MP. All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is: anna.mcmorrin.mp@parliament.uk

Promoted by Anna McMorrin MP, on behalf of herself, at Unit 2 Codas House, Merthyr Road, Cardiff, CF14 1DJ.

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Member of Parliament · 2 Codas House · 52-60 Merthyr Road · Cardiff, CF14 1DG · United Kingdom