The Chancellor’s financial statement was the big news out of Parliament this week, and frankly it utterly failed to live up to expectations. We need a budget that will support people back into work or to help them retrain if they’ve lost their jobs because of the pandemic. Giving money to businesses who retain staff might help some, but it will be wasted on many who would have brought staff back … [Read more...]

This week, the Welsh Government have announced that from next Monday (July 6th), two households will be able to meet indoors and form a ‘bubble’. This will be very welcome news to so many families up and down the country who have been missing their loved ones!  It's important to still make sure you’re familiar with the guidance: both households must stay the same – there can be no chopping and … [Read more...]

It’s been a week of virtual meetings – by now I’m getting quite used to seeing people on a screen rather than in the flesh as it were! I started off the week with the Northern Irish representatives of their equivalent to our All-Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Related Harm. The gambling industry and its pernicious influences are no respecters of borders and so it is vitally important that … [Read more...]

It’s been a busy week this week with some important issues being raised both in and out of Parliament. Tuesday marked four years since the brutal and senseless murder of our dear and inspiring colleague, Jo Cox. We remember her for her dedication to public service, her compassion and her determination to make life better for everyone. As you will have seen, today the Welsh Government have … [Read more...]

This week is Carers’ Week, during which we recognise the invaluable work our carers do, both paid and unpaid, in homes up and down the country caring for our loved ones. The Covid-19 pandemic has thrown the work that carers do into the spotlight and an astounding 4.5 million more people have become unpaid carers over the last couple of months, bringing the total to 13.6 million.  We must ensure … [Read more...]