I was proud to Chair North Wales First Annual Autism Conference, organised by Flintshire’s Angie Atherton, at Glyndwr University. As we heard ‘it’s not better or worse, it’s just different’.
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of the Great Repeal Bill to convert the body of existing EU law into UK law and free the UK Parliaments to amend, repeal and improve this, I questioned the First Minister over his engagement where law is devolved to Wales.
I also questioned him over the need for Welsh Government action to bring forward domestic abuse pre-custodial perpetrator programmes, to increase the safety of family members.
Speaking against a UKIP motion calling for the HS2 high speed rail project to be scrapped, I noted that proposals within the North Wales Economics Ambition Board’s ‘A Growth Vision for the Economy of North Wales’ include rail service connectivity with HS2 at Crewe.
I called on the Economy Secretary to ensure that new tax devolution drives economic prosperity levels in Wales, where Cardiff Business School reports that Welsh output is most sensitive to changes in higher rate tax, stating any cut in this will always raise tax receipts and any rise will always reduce them. Wales has had the lowest prosperity levels in the UK since 1998.
Speaking in the Welsh Conservative Housing Debate, I said Welsh Labour’s intention to abolish the Council housing Right to Buy in Wales would deny the prospect of home ownership to tenants, and miss another opportunity to increase affordable housing supply and tackle the housing supply crisis created by Labour Government in Wales since 1999. Welsh Conservatives would instead invest the proceeds in new social housing, increasing the numbers of households with their own front door.
I called for a Welsh Government Statement regarding a healthcare worker convicted of murder, who was previously questioned over allegations of abusing people with learning difficulties.
Speaking about the International Day of Older Persons, I emphasised the importance to well-being of independent living.
I joined a walk to raise awareness of Fragile X Syndrome, the most common inherited underlying cause of up to 1 in 20 cases of autism.
Other engagements included the Hair Council, Fostering Network for Wales, Tidal Lagoon Power and British Lung Foundation Wales.
If you need my help, please email mark.isherwood@assembly.wales or ring 0300 200 7217.