Understandably, given mixed messages from the UK Government and a number of unclear news reports, there has been some confusion this week around the rules on social distancing and lockdown in Wales. The Welsh Government are still asking that we only go outside for essential purposes. Remember to stay at least 2 metres away from anyone outside of your home and wash your hands as soon and often as you can. You can exercise outside more than once, but you still cannot travel to take exercise. The police are working hard to ensure that we all remain safe during this difficult time, but they are still issuing fines to those who break the lockdown regulations. You can remind yourself of the guidelines here.

I was pleased to be called to speak during the discussions in the House of Commons on the immigration part of the EU Withdrawal Bill this week. I find it extraordinary that even in the midst of this current pandemic, the UK Government still doesn't seem to recognise, or care about, the incredible contribution that so many immigrants are making to this country. Our key workers are caring for our loved ones, keeping our transport services going, and keeping us supplied with essentials - yet, by the UK Government’s own reckoning they are low skilled and therefore low value.  The UK Government is pushing this Bill through when the British public are distracted. They’re hoping we won't heed the concerns of organisations like MacMillan Cancer Support who fear that the UK Government’s plan for a points-based immigration system will have a real detrimental effect on our health and social care system, which, as we’ve seen in recent weeks and months, is already under record pressure. We sometimes forget that the crucial jobs of the health service are not only found inside hospitals – there is care in the community, specialist nurses in different medical centres, and nurses in palliative care homes. We need to ensure that social care workers and nurses are included on the shortage occupation list, exempting them from the visa salary threshold. We must also ensure that everyone already here knows that we value the incredible contribution that they make to our country each and every day.

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and it couldn’t have come at a more important time.  This has been such a difficult and stressful time for so many, with financial fears for the present and the future and the uncertainty of unemployment among those forced into lockdown and unable to work from home. I’ve heard some truly heart-breaking stories from people who’ve had to say goodbye to loved ones over the phone, and had to plan small funerals without the opportunity for friends and family to say goodbye properly.  And then there are our wonderful key workers, those who might have their own fears about catching the virus, but nevertheless are turning up to work each day to keep us fed and cared for.  It must be really hard for children too, forced to stay at home, away from friends and extended family, perhaps feeling anxious about what’s happening in a world they no longer recognise, perhaps not understanding why they have all these restrictions. Now, more than ever, we need to make sure mental health support is properly funded and available to all those who need it, and I was really pleased this week to see the Welsh Government announce £3.75 million of funding for mental health in schools that will include new support for children under the age of 11.  It's so important we continue to invest in mental health support for our young people during these very difficult times.

Last weekend I should have been doing the Moonwalk with a group of friends in support of breast cancer. It’s disappointing, of course, as it’s such a fun event - so we compromised and did a socially distanced walk within the regulations around our beautiful Gower. The Moonwalk raises such a lot of money for an important cause. It’s hard to believe that it started out in 1996 as just 13 women power walking the London Marathon in their bras to raise money and awareness for breast cancer and look at the thriving multi-million charity event it is today! As chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer it’s a really important event for me. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK, with about 1 in 8 women diagnosed with it during their lifetime. Happily, there’s a good chance of recovery if it’s detected at an early stage, therefore it’s vital that women check their breasts regularly for any changes and always have any changes examined by a GP. For information on symptoms, see the NHS website here.
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You can keep up to date with Welsh Government announcements and information on their dedicated coronavirus page. If you have any issues or concerns to raise with me as your local MP, please get in touch by emailing [email protected] or calling 01792 899025. My office is not open, my staff and I are working from home, but my email and phone are still being monitored and responded to. You may experience a slight delay in receiving a response from us as the demand has increased, but we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Stay home, keep well, and remember – keep washing your hands!

The week started off  with confusion for many as on Sunday night the Prime Minister announced a relaxing of the lockdown restrictions and the hope that people could soon return to work - but these changes only apply to England.  In Wales, the conditions of the lockdown have not changed. We are still asked to only leave our homes for exercise once a day, to go shopping for the essentials, or for a medical need. Otherwise, please stay at home to help protect yourselves and others from this horrible virus.  It is inevitable there will be some confusion with the four home nations now following slightly different paths, but, as always, the Welsh Government has taken a decision in the best interests of the people in Wales.  We must continue to respect the guidance in Wales to support our Welsh NHS and all of our key workers who are all doing an incredible job.

It was International Nurses Day this Tuesday which this year marked the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. The day was a fantastic opportunity to say a huge thank you to all the nursing staff up and down the country for their remarkable contribution to the lives of millions of people, but especially now during the coronavirus pandemic. I want to say my own special thanks for the hard work that you are all doing in extremely difficult circumstances.

It was reassuring to hear this week that the Chancellor has extended his furlough scheme by four months until the end of October. Employees on this scheme will be paid 80% of their wages up to £2,500 each month until then, although if the situation with lockdown changes, and people are able to go back to work, then the UK Government are planning to look again at the scheme in August to see whether they can share the cost of employees’ wages with employers. We must ensure that this scheme is in place as long as is necessary to support people and to help employers to protect jobs so that when it is safe to do so, there is employment for people to return to.

For pregnant women, the coronavirus has turned what should have been an incredibly exciting and happy time into one of concern and worry. And in addition to the worry of the impact of the virus on themselves and their baby, many have had the added, unnecessary stress of the reaction of their employer to the pandemic. Some pregnant women have been told - incorrectly - that they either had to take unpaid leave or to go on sick leave. The Equality and Human Rights Commission have reminded organisations across the UK that they may face discrimination claims if they treat pregnant women unfairly during this crisis. They also have provided guidance to employers on their legal obligations which can be found on their website here.

We are currently in week eight of the lockdown and it has been difficult for all of us – the worries about work, not being able to see family and friends, and of course, concerns for the health of our loved ones.  But there are those for whom this is an even more stressful time - and that includes those who rely on food banks to feed themselves and their families.   Our food banks need our help more than ever as they struggle to cope with growing demand and a reduction in donations. Please, continue to make donations at your local supermarket – particularly of toiletries, home cleaning products, snacks and treats, and tinned meat and fish. Thank you to everyone who is working so hard to make sure that families are still able to put food on the table in these difficult times.

The impact of the coronavirus is likely to be felt for a long time to come across all parts of society, even once lockdown is lifted. We heard this week that until a vaccine is developed, it is likely that once rugby begins to be played again, it will do so behind closed doors and certainly without the crowds that our clubs and regions rely on to generate funds. The Welsh Rugby Union is expected to lose millions of pounds of income due to the coronavirus pandemic and that loss of income will have a knock on effect further down the chain.  We must find a way to support our clubs until a vaccine is freely available – the game we love gives us so much, from the enjoyment in watching a match, to the motivation for youngsters to take up the sport and keep fit, to the lifelong friendships we make through the sport.  I’d be very happy to hear from clubs across Gower about the issues they are facing at this time and the best way to tackle them.  Please do get in touch!
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You can keep up to date with Welsh Government announcements and information on their dedicated coronavirus page. If you have any issues or concerns to raise with me as your local MP, please get in touch by emailing [email protected] or calling 01792 899025. My office is not open, my staff and I are working from home, but my email and phone are still being monitored and responded to. You may experience a slight delay in receiving a response from us as the demand has increased, but we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Stay home, keep well, and remember – keep washing your hands!

I was pleased this week to sign our Shadow Secretary of State, Nia Griffith’s letter to the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to ask that the payment offered by the Welsh Government to our social care workers on the frontline tackling the coronavirus pandemic is not subject to the usual tax and benefit deductions. This is a small recognition of the value of their work in this incredibly difficult time and they must not be penalised or risk their tax or social security entitlements.  I really hope that the Chancellor and the Secretary of State heed our call and recognise the valuable contribution of these workers.

The UK Government has this week updated the guidance for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, and HMRC have begun contacting those eligible for the scheme, which will provide applicants with 80% of their average monthly trading profits, to be capped at £7,500, and which will be paid in a single instalment to cover 3 months.   For more information visit the UK Government pages here and if you get into any difficulty, please contact my office for support.

This pandemic is difficult for us all, but for children who may not fully understand what is happening or why their world has so suddenly shrunk, it will be even more difficult. The Children’s Commissioner for Wales has created an information hub to help answer tricky questions in an honest and appropriate way.  There’s also some great  ideas for things to do at home that will help keep kids occupied or make them laugh during these tricky days. 

Of course, with schools across the country closed to most children, it's even more important to remember that sadly, some children are exposed to or are even victims of domestic abuse in their own homes.  If you are worried about a young person, please do contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected].

Monday of this week was International Firefighters’ Day, when we remember the bravery and sacrifice of all the firefighters that we have lost in the line of duty. Our firefighters think nothing of rushing into serious danger in order to preserve and protect life when they go to work. Our emergency service workers are incredible, and we must continue to remember those who risk and tragically sometimes lose their lives for the good of others.
On Friday we will mark, albeit in an unusual way, the 75th anniversary of VE Day. Although the bank holiday weekend may not look quite how we expected, it's important for us to take some time to mark this occasion.  Victory in Europe brought nearly six years of fighting on the continent to an end. We must remember the sacrifice of all those involved, and honour their memory today by continuing to stand up for tolerance and against racism and fascism.
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You can keep up to date with Welsh Government announcements and information on their dedicated coronavirus page. If you have any issues or concerns to raise with me as your local MP, please get in touch by emailing [email protected] or calling 01792 899025. My office is not open, but my staff and I are working from home, and my email and phone are still being monitored and responded to. You may experience a slight delay in receiving a response from us as the demand has increased, but we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Stay home, keep well, and remember – keep washing your hands!

It’s been a very busy week in the new virtual Parliament.  On Monday, I spoke in the debate on the Finance Bill, which was first  brought before the House before the coronavirus pandemic and seems something of an anachronism now!  MPs, as well as the public, want to know how the UK Government plans to transition out of lockdown and what this will mean for businesses so that they can plan for the future – how they will reopen and what guidelines will mean for their business plans.  This must be taken into account in the Bill.  I have been contacted by a number of iconic local businesses, including Castellemare in Mumbles and the King’s Head in Llangennith, who all have serious concerns about their future viability. We understand why lockdown cannot be immediately lifted completely and that there must be some form of social distancing in place to prevent a second spike, but businesses need some clarity about how that future will look.

Of course, in many ways, coronavirus has changed how we see our economy.  I welcome the UK Government’s support for furloughed workers and our key workers, but our amazing key workers receive an hourly pay that is, on average, 8% lower than for other employees. They have selflessly and with unstinting dedication supported and cared for ourselves and our loved ones throughout this pandemic. We must not return to a world where they are, economically, at the bottom of the pile. Some of these key workers are in the vulnerable category but have not been furloughed because their employer is under no obligation to do so. The UK Government needs to clarify guidelines on furloughing key workers to ensure that those who are clinically vulnerable or who are caring for those who are, are able to be furloughed and are not forced to choose between unpaid leave or statutory sick pay.

I had hoped to contribute to the Second Reading of the Domestic Abuse Bill on Tuesday  but unfortunately, due to the time constraints involved with the new socially distanced, virtual Parliament, was unable to do so. This is a crucially important Bill for so many across our community. For those experiencing domestic abuse, the lockdown has proved an incredibly challenging time and it has exposed the weaknesses in our system of support. Refuges have found themselves trying to cope with the increased demand as well as social distancing guidelines, leaving them with too few spaces for all those seeking their help. Calls to helplines across all support services have soared and online traffic to related websites and chat services have also risen dramatically. This Bill must ensure that services are well-funded and linked as a network across the country.  It must also look to protect the children who are seriously affected both by perhaps experiencing direct abuse themselves and by witnessing the abuse of a parent. It must also lead to changes in the criminal justice system where children are not put at risk by family courts demanding the abuser is given unsupervised access to children. This Bill is a huge opportunity, not only for us to send the message loud and clear that abuse is not to be accepted, but also to put in place measures that will protect those who unfortunately fall victim to it.

For so many, the coronavirus pandemic has led to financial insecurity and for some, the necessity of navigating the complexities of the benefits system. It can be incredibly difficult for people to understand what support they qualify for, whether it’s council tax breaks or payments through Universal Credit. Citizens Advice Cymru may have closed their offices due to the social distancing rules but they are still open on the phone and through their website for support. There are specialist advisers available so please do get in touch with them if you need support.  Call 03444 77 20 20 or visit their website here.

In happier news, I’d like to extend my congratulations to the Prime Minister and Carrie Symonds on the birth of their baby boy and wish them all the best, and as much sleep as is possible with a newborn, for the coming months!

You can keep up to date with Welsh Government announcements and information on their dedicated coronavirus page. If you have any issues or concerns to raise with me as your local MP, please get in touch by emailing [email protected] or calling 01792 899025. My office is not open, my staff and I are working from home, but my email and phone are still being monitored and responded to. You may experience a slight delay in receiving a response from us as the demand has increased, but we will get back to you as soon as we can.

​Stay home, keep well, and remember – keep washing your hands!