A view from Clwyd South’s Assembly Member

Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South Members of Parliament and Assembly Members to write a monthly article with updates on their work in Parliament and the Senedd, and closer to home. This is his first in this new series!

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates writes…

It’s been a busy start to 2020 in Clwyd South and the Senedd.

We have recently seen the UK Government give the go-ahead to HS2, which is estimated to cost as much as £106bn. This is hugely expensive and, because responsibility for rail infrastructure is not devolved, decisions about funding railway lines, signalling and stations remains in the hands of Westminster. Here in Wales we have 11% of the track and 20% of level crossings, yet we’ve had only 2% of the funding over the last 5 years.

This under-investment of railways in Wales must end and if HS2 is to deliver for all of the north, then it must be accompanied by electrification of the lines from Crewe to Chester and Chester to Holyhead.

First Minister Mark Drakeford has written to Boris Johnson calling for HS2 services to be extended into Wales and for the funding our country is entitled to – initially an extra £5bn over 20 years.

This money would guarantee the transformation of railway lines and stations that so many people rightly demand. We await the Prime Minister’s response.

😡 “We have 11% of the track, 20% of level crossings, and we’ve had only 2% of the funding over the last ten years” – @MarkDrakeford pic.twitter.com/LFgxlGcHh6

— Welsh Labour (@WelshLabour) February 12, 2020

Last week we also saw the UK Government once again refuse to match-fund the Welsh Government’s commitment to Ruabon Station. The Welsh Government is now exploring whether it can proceed with this project alone to deliver for Ruabon.

We’re disappointed that so many Welsh stations will miss out on this investment.@KenSkatesMS – “Unfortunately it is another example where passengers are set to feel the effect of the UK government’s continuing underinvestment in Welsh railways.”https://t.co/pfTczSR6th pic.twitter.com/M5PY3QxONm

— Welsh Government Economy and Transport (@WGEconTransport) February 27, 2020

Locally, I welcome the recent cross-party talks about Kronospan and look forward to continuing to work with Wrexham Council, Natural Resources Wales, Unite the Union and Simon Baynes MP on this important local issue. This is a serious matter and we need to work together to address the fears and frustration of residents – and to safeguard the livelihoods of 600 people. The meeting was very constructive and Wrexham Council is organising a follow-up meeting over the coming weeks. I have also held further talks with Natural Resources Wales.

On another local note, I visited Overton Playcentre to catch up with the team and hear how the Welsh Government’s ground-breaking childcare scheme is helping parents. When the Welsh Government implements policies like this we always believe they will help those who most need it, but it’s amazing to see and hear first-hand just what a difference they are making.

I held an advice surgery at Chirk Parish Hall on February 14. For upcoming dates please visit my website (here: http://www.kenskates.co.uk/en/surgery-dates/) or email [email protected]. I have also held recent street surgeries in Johnstown and Penley, with more planned soon.

Since the General Election, there has been a marked increase in the number of people contacting me with problems related to PIP, Universal Credit and other benefits. I’m extremely worried about how vulnerable and disabled people in Clwyd South are being treated. If you are having problems, please get in touch and I’ll do my best to help.

Last week my constituency engagements included meeting local farmers to discuss what the Welsh Government is doing to stop the spread of bovine TB, which I know is causing a great deal of concern and anxiety. I also met with police, Wrexham Council, local residents and Simon Baynes MP to discuss plans to improve the protection of Llyweinion Woods in Rhos, which has been targeted by fly-tippers and off-road drivers.

New figures announced this month show that around £7.2m has been invested in Clwyd South businesses since the launch of the Development Bank of Wales.

The DBW was set up by the Welsh Government in 2017 to make it easier for businesses to get the finance needed to start up, strengthen and grow. Wholebake in Corwen is one of 38 businesses in Clwyd South to have benefited so far. In addition, 336 jobs in Clwyd South have been created or safeguarded by this investment.

Finally, I was proud to stand alongside my fellow North Wales Labour AMs in the Senedd to support Heart Unions Week earlier this month. It’s an initiative to highlight the good work trade unions do to offer everyone a voice at work.