6th January 2025
Dear Richard Gould, We are writing to express our profound concern regarding the England cricket men’s team upcoming match playing Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy next month, given the appalling oppression of women and girls in Afghanistan and the removal of their rights that continues unabated. Upon regaining control of Afghanistan in August 2021, one of the Taliban’s first acts was banning women from sport. They raided the homes of female athletes, some of whom were forced to burn their kits to avoid being identified. The women’s cricket team was disbanded and having fled the country are now in exile. Aside being morally repugnant, this is a direct contravention of International Cricket Council rules that require all test nations to support and fund women’s cricket. As you know, the Afghanistan men’s cricket team is still allowed to compete internationally, while their women’s team is denied the same right. Cricket’s world governing body has not taken any action against the Afghanistan men’s team. Despite members of the former Afghanistan women’s team calling on the ICC to help them form and recognise a refugee team to enable them to play, there has been no progress. As the English team prepares for its upcoming scheduled match to play Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy next month, the former Afghan women’s team remain in exile with no near prospect of being able to compete on the world stage, while back home in Afghanistan no new girls or women are learning to play cricket, or any sport for that matter. This blatant denial of opportunities for Afghan women cricketers is appalling, and forms just one element of the Taliban’s unconscionable oppression of women and girls that continues unabated. Sport was only the first joy to be removed from women in Afghanistan, and since then life for them has become incomprehensibly unbearable, with the Taliban removing their most basic human rights and freedoms at a prolific scale. Women are denied access to schools and universities, have been barred from most forms of employment and have now been denied all healthcare, as they can no longer train as nurses or be treated by male medics. They are banned from beauty salons, stadiums, gyms and parks, cannot travel alone without a male chaperone, dance, sing or drive. Their faces are banned from view, their voices from being heard, even in prayer. Most recently, the Taliban have banned windows through which women might be glimpsed in their domestic spaces. As the world watches this insidious dystopia unfold, women in Afghanistan find themselves erased from the most innocent of daily activities, imprisoned at home, risking torture and public execution if they protest or do not comply. The England and Wales Cricket Board is not blind to this abhorrence. Last year, you confirmed that England would not schedule a bilateral series against Afghanistan while women were banned from sport. Now, with England scheduled to play Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy next month, you have a precious opportunity to extend those principles and condemn this abhorrent oppression. We strongly urge the England Cricket men’s team players and officials to speak out against the horrific treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban. We also urge the ECB to consider a boycott of the upcoming match against Afghanistan in the ICC Champion’s Trophy Group stage on February 26th to send a clear signal that such grotesque abuses will not be tolerated. We must stand against sex apartheid, and we implore the ECB to deliver a firm message of solidarity and hope to Afghan women and girls that their suffering has not been overlooked. Yours sincerely, Tonia Antoniazzi MP Dame Caroline Dinenage MP Sarah Champion MP Debbie Abrahams MP Helen Hayes MP Chi Onwurah MP Rt Hon Sir Roger Gale MP Wendy Chamberlain MP Ruth Jones MP Sharon Hodgson MP Jess Asato MP Jo Platt MP Paula Barker MP Rachel Taylor MP Cathine Fookes MP Rt Hon Lord Hain Baroness Barbara Keeley Rt Hon Lord Foulkes of Cumnock Rt Hon Baroness Morris of Yardley Rt Hon Baroness Winterton of Doncaster DBE Lord Griffiths of Burry Port Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town Rt Hon Baroness Taylor of Bolton Baroness Hazarika MBE Rt Hon Lord Kinnock Rt Hon Baroness Laing of Elderslie CBE Lord David Triesman Rt Hon Baroness Harman KC Kirsteen Sullivan MP Margaret Mullane MP Helena Dollimore MP Ann Davies MP Dan Aldridge MP Rachel Gilmour MP Rt Hon John McDonnell MP Sarah Hall MP Johanna Baxter MP Katrina Murray MP Ruth Cadbury MP Zarah Sultana MP Emily Darlington MP Mary Kelly Foy MP David Smith MP Leigh Ingham MP Adam Jogee MP Joani Reid MP Rosie Duffield MP Jenny Riddell-Carpenter MP Jen Craft MP Dr Allison Gardner MP Kirith Entwistle MP Lizzi Collinge MP Alice Macdonald MP Mrs Sarah Russell MP Rt Hon Valerie Vaz MP Michelle Welsh MP Tracy Gilbert MP Patricia Ferguson MP Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck MP Ben Lake MP Rt Hon Lord Touhig Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe Lord Campbell-Savours Baroness Nye Baroness Jenkin of Kennington Baroness Wilcox of Newport Lord Bach Baroness Blower Lord Watson of Wyre Forest Baroness Lister of Burtersett CBE Lord Shamash Baroness O’Loan DBE MRIA Lord Young of Norwood Green Rt Hon Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee DBE Lord Lucas Baroness Meyer CBE Lord Sandhurst KC Rt Hon Baroness Hughes of Stretford Lord Morrow Baroness Bertin Baroness Drake CBE Lord Watson of Invergowrie Baroness Foster of Oxton DBE Lord Strasburger Rt Hon Baroness Davidson of Lundin Links Baroness Donaghy CBE FRSA The Earl of Leicester Baroness Lea of Lymm CBE Baroness Fullbrook Baroness Helic Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist Rt Hon Liz Saville Roberts MP Mary Glindon MP Marsha De Cordova MP Llinos Medi MP Alicia Kearns MP Brian Leishman MP Claire Hanna MP Rt Hon Sir Desmond Swayne MP Kate Osborne MP Andrew Ranger MP Ms Stella Creasy MP Neil Duncan-Jordan MP Dr Marie Tidball MP Siân Berry MP Grahame Morris MP Robin Swann MP Perran Moon MP Maya Ellis MP Sorcha Eastwood MP Alex Sobel MP Samantha Niblett MP Jon Pearce MP Naushabah Khan MP Sean Woodcock MP Abtisam Mohamed MP Luke Akehurst MP Sarah Edwards MP Dr Beccy Cooper MP Linsey Farnsworth MP Mrs Elsie Blundell MP Anna Dixon MP Dr Simon Opher MP Rt Hon Baroness Anelay of St Johns DBE Baroness Redfern Baroness Swinburne Baroness Harding of Winscomb Baroness Morgan of Huyton Lord Shinkwin Baroness Eaton DBE DL Baroness Mobarik CBE Lord Roberts of Belgravia Baroness Monckton of Dallington Forest MBE Baroness Goudie Baroness Stedman-Scott OBE Lord Jackson of Peterborough Baroness Thornhill MBE Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge Lord Sikka Rt Hon Baroness Royall of Blaisdon Baroness Hodgson of Abinger CBE Lord Woodley Baroness Bray of Coln Lord Strathcarron Baroness Morris of Bolton OBE Baroness Seccombe DBE JP Baroness Finn Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick Lord Farmer Baroness Ramsey of Wall Heath Baroness Noakes DBE Rt Hon Lord Bassam of Brighton Rt Hon Baroness Stowell of Beeston MBE Baroness Morrissey DBE Baroness Shields OBE Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP Rebecca Paul MP Richard Tice MP Euan Stainbank MP Anna Sabine MP Alison Hume MP Will Stone MP Nigel Farage MP Sarah Dyke MP Deirdre Costigan MP Ms Polly Billington MP Rebecca Harris MP Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP Mike Wood MP Saquib Bhatti MP Steve Race MP Rt Hon Richard Holden MP Helen Grant MP Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP Alison Griffiths MP Charlie Dewhirst MP Rt Hon David Mundell MP Shivani Raja MP Bob Blackman MP Andrew George MP Ben Maguire MP Mr James Frith MP Manuella Perteghella MP Mr Gagan Mohindra MP Martin Wrigley MP In 2025 more than 6500 workers in Swansea will get a pay rise because of Labour’s plan to raise the minimum wage. The 6.7% increase – which is worth £1,400 a year for an eligible full-time worker – is a significant step towards delivering the manifesto commitment to make sure the minimum wage is a genuine living wage. In Wales as a whole, this means 70,000 people will receive a pay rise in 2025 because of the plan. The National Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year-olds will also rise from £8.60 to £10.00 an hour – the largest increase in the rate on record. This £1.40 increase will mean full-time younger workers eligible for the rate will see their pay boosted by £2,500 next year. This marks the first step towards aligning the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage to create a single adult wage rate, which would take place over time. The move comes as part of Labour’s Plan for Change to boost living standards, and will work alongside new rights for workers giving them greater security of hours and rights at work. Tonia Antoniazzi, MP for Gower said: “This UK Labour Government is delivering our Plan for Change in Swansea with investment and reform to deliver growth, putting more money in people’s pockets. “Our plans to make work pay will deliver a pay rise for over 6500 people in Swansea in 2025, with some full time workers up to £1,400 better off. “This increase in the minimum and living wages, combined with the biggest upgrade in workers rights in a generation will give Welsh people the security and opportunity of a fair go in life. “This government is pro-worker and pro-business. People should get a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work and that’s what we will deliver in across the country.” ENDS Labour Government ends the injustice of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme and transfers Investment Reserve to miners and their families
Historic injustice reversed as 247 mineworkers and their families in Gower finally have the Investment Reserve from their pension scheme transferred to them, boosting their pensions by an average of 32 per cent. Labour delivers longstanding campaign ask from ex-pit workers, alongside new review to also ensure mineworkers receive a fair pension for years to come. Energy Secretary pays tribute to the “mineworkers who powered our country” and the campaigners who fought for justice over many years 247 former mineworkers in Gower will receive an immediate uplift in their weekly pension, overturning an historic injustice and ensuring fair payouts for years to come. Following the announcement in Wednesday’s Budget, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband confirmed that the move will mean a 32 per cent boost to the annual pensions of 112,000 former mineworkers across the UK – an average increase of £29 per week for each member. Tonia Antoniazzi, local MP for Gower welcomed the announcement, saying: “It is a national scandal that former miners in Gower have had to fight for so long for the pension settlement they deserve. “Today, Labour ends this injustice and delivers what is rightfully owed back to mining families. “This is a victory for the relentless campaigning of the trustees, members, and coalfield communities here in Gower.” The investment reserve fund was set up using profits from the scheme in 1992, to provide a buffer in case the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme went into deficit. This money was due to be returned to government in 2029. Former mineworkers and their families have fought for justice for many years. In a landmark decision, the fund - now worth £1.5 billion – will be handed over to the pension scheme, ensuring former pit workers who powered the country for decades finally get the just rewards from their labour. When British Coal was privatised in 1994, the government also agreed to take half of any profits generated by the pension scheme, in return for a guarantee that pensions would increase in line with inflation. The scheme has continued to produce strong returns and the government has never paid any funds into it. Therefore, the government is also delivering on its commitment to review this agreement to ensure former miners and their families get a fairer deal in the years ahead, with next steps set out in the coming months. The trustees are responsible for deciding how the £1.5 billion fund is distributed amongst their 112,000 members and are now working at speed to deliver the bonus into pension pay packets from November this year. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “We owe the mining communities who powered this country a debt of gratitude. For decades, it has been a scandal that the government has taken money that could have been passed to the miners and their families. Today, that scandal ends, and the money is rightfully transferred to the miners. I pay tribute to the campaigners who have fought for justice- today is their victory.” Chris Kitchen, General Secretary of the NUM said: “The Labour Party recognised the injustice of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme whilst in opposition. Now in Government they have made good on their manifesto commitment to return the Investment Reserve Fund so it can be used to increase pensions. “This is the change we voted for.” Ends ___________ The government has had to make some difficult decisions to fix the foundations of the economy due to the dire state of the public finances. The Winter Fuel Payment is set to be means-tested and delivered to those on Pension Credit to ensure it is targeted towards those in most need.
Pensioners whose weekly income is below £218.15 for a single person or £332.95 for a couple should check to see if they are eligible for this support which is worth £3,900 a year on average, using DWP’s online calculator: Pension Credit calculator - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Applications for Pension Credit can be made:
For more information visit the Pension Credit GOV.UK page. Pensioners need to be entitled to Pension Credit for at least one day in week September 16 to 22 to be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment for this winter. When making an application, other factors will be taken into account, such as whether you claim other benefits (for example, attendance allowance) or if you have high housing costs. 21 December is the last date for backdating a claim for Pension Credit to 22 September, assuming the claimant met the Pension Credit entitlement conditions throughout the previous three months. I will endeavour to work with the Government and Local Authorities to ensure that the 800,000 pensioners who qualify for Pension Credit but have not applied for it do so. I will be holding a Pension Credit surgery on Friday 22nd November at Gorseinon Library. It will take place between 2PM and 4PM. I will be joined by Citizens Advice, DWP representatives and Swansea Council's Welfare Rights team, who will be on hand to offer advice and assistance. Please contact my office if you wish to come. In the meantime, if you need me to look at your specific case to see how I can support, please contact my office and make an appointment for a phone consultation. Support available Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) | GOV.WALES Help with your energy bills: If you're on benefits or have a low income - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Get help with energy efficiency in your home from Nest | GOV.WALES Help with fuel and energy costs and other household bills - Swansea Tackling Fuel Poverty in Wales Together - Warm Wales Advicelink Cymru - Citizens Advice FORMER WALES RUGBY INTERNATIONAL TONIA ANTONIAZZI MP JOINS SCARLETS BOARD
Tonia will champion & support growth of women’s and girls’ rugby in the Scarlets Region Tonia Antoniazzi, Member of Parliament for Gower, has called on the UK Government to take action to protect businesses and consumers amid rising rates of shoplifting.
According to data released in February by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the trade body representing retail businesses in the UK, incidents of customer theft have risen to a record 16.7 million, up from 8 million the previous year. The BRC estimates the cost to retailers last year of this shoplifting epidemic was £1.8bn, up from £950mn and the highest amount on record. The impact on shop workers has been clear with incidents of violence and abuse of shop workers soaring by 50% over the past year. The BRC estimates a staggering 1,300 incidents each day last year of racial abuse, sexual harassment, physical assaults, and threats with weapons. Tonia Antoniazzi spoke to local shop workers and owners in Gorseinon to discuss their experiences and concerns on the frontline of this surge in shoplifting and violence. Tonia backed plans to tackle soaring rates of shop lifting by reversing the decision by the Conservative Government in the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to downgrade the police response to the theft of items worth less than £200. Under the 2014 Act, any incidents involving goods below £200 would have to be tried as “summary only offences.” This has led to many defendants being able to plead guilty by post and pay a small fine - thereby avoiding a court appearance. In practice, it has acted as a signal to the police to deprioritise any enforcement for shoplifting of goods below £200 at all – even in cases of repeat and organised shoplifting - with arrests for theft offences falling from 136,000 in 2018 to just 78,000 in 2022. Tonia Antoniazzi, Labour MP for Gower said: “Too many communities and high streets are being blighted by staggering increases in shoplifting, up 30 per cent in the last year alone. Since 2010, the Conservative government has decimated neighbourhood policing, leaving our town centres unprotected, and introduced a rule meaning that shoplifting of goods under £200 isn’t being investigated. This Tory ‘Shoplifter’s Charter’ has left local businesses and retail workers at the mercy of criminals. "Enough is enough. Labour called for tougher action on criminals who assault shop-workers and only in the past month did the Government finally act. The Tories should follow Labour’s lead again and remove the £200 rule that is letting shoplifters off the hook. “Britain cannot afford more damaging decline from the Conservatives on crime and justice. Labour will restore the rule of law on Britain’s high streets and in our town centres. More widely, Labour have pledged to tackle crime across England and Wales by reintroducing neighbourhood policing with 13,000 more police and PCSOs on the streets, including a named officer to lead on tackling anti-social behaviour. |
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