Speaking in the International Women’s Day Debate, I highlighted the continuing barriers preventing women from playing their full role in the economic, political, social and cultural life of Wales.
I called, unsuccessfully, for a Welsh Government Debate on ‘Moving North Wales Forward’, and for a Welsh Government Statement acknowledging National Apprenticeship Week. Apprentices often feel better equipped for work than friends who went to university, and many charities are concerned that apprenticeships are not covered by the Welsh Government’s proposed Additional Learning Needs Legislation.
Questioning the Economy Secretary following news that the PSA Group is buying General Motors’ European Unit , I emphasised the importance of Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port Plant to north east Wales and called for joint working with the UK Government to ensure that the commitments made to Vauxhall’s employees and pensioners are kept.
Speaking in the debate calling on the Welsh Government to reverse its savage cuts to the Family Fund in Wales, which supports low income families with sick and disabled children, I noted that Scotland, England and Northern Ireland have all maintained their funding for this, and that these cuts will increase pressure on local authority and NHS budgets.
I asked the First Minister to address the barriers to employment facing people with long-term, fluctuating conditions such as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), following a successful project in Bristol.
Questioning the Communities Secretary, I asked him to consider how ‘Local Area Co-ordination’ could be embraced in Wales. In Derby, a pilot with 50 people improved lives, reconnected communities and saved £800,000 for health and social care, convincing the local authority and NHS to expand this.
I also asked him to respond to the Bevan Foundation statement that if people feel that policies are imposed on their communities, the policies don’t work, and asked him what action he was taking following an increase of almost a third in deliberately started grass fires in Wales last year.
Assembly engagements included Chairing the Cross Party Group on Violence against Women and Children, presentation by Wrexham Council’s Destination Manager at the Waterways Cross Party Group, Solicitors Regulation Authority and Fair Trade Fortnight.
North Wales engagements included meetings with the Police and Crime Commissioner and Yorkshire Building Society, High Sheriff of Clwyd Community Awards 2017, at Theatr Clwyd, and Hope Civic Service.
If you need my help, please email mark.isherwood@assembly.wales or ring 0300 200 7217.