A view from Clwyd South’s Member of the Senedd

Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South constituency Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in Parliament and the Senedd, and closer to home. (You can view an archive here).

Clwyd South MS Ken Skates writes…

I am receiving countless emails and messages about the never-ending rise in energy prices.
This is a national crisis, and it’s abundantly clear that more could – and should – be done to help people. Other governments in Europe have capped rises and therefore protected their populations from the huge increases people in the UK are facing and will continue to face.
Unfortunately, as this issue is non-devolved, it is the responsibility of a UK Government which has been more concerned with internal matters than offering meaningful, tangible support. The Welsh Government has been calling for action for some time, and will continue to do so, but there’s no doubt it would help if more Conservative MPs made their voices heard.

While the UK Government looks the other way, oil and gas companies are making enormous profits. UK Labour leader Keir Starmer has announced a fully costed plan to freeze energy bills this winter – paid for through a windfall tax on the very companies who are making more and more money while people in Clwyd South, Wrexham and all across the UK suffer.

A recent independent report said the Welsh Labour Government’s £108m Cultural Recovery Fund (CRF) was instrumental to the survival of numerous organisations in Wales during the pandemic.
The CRF helped to safeguard 2,700 FTE (full-time equivalent) jobs in the creative and events sectors. Some 94% of the organisations surveyed said the fund had played a part in their survival – with 57% saying it had been ‘fundamental’ in keeping them going.
Among the local groups to benefit was the Rhos-based Stiwt Arts Trust, which was awarded just over £120,000. I’m extremely proud of the huge investment in the Stiwt by Welsh Ministers.

I had a very enjoyable morning in Marchwiel and Cross Lanes earlier this month with local councillor John Pritchard. We visited Marchwiel Village Hall and met the Rainbow Foundation team, followed by a catch-up with Sesswick community councillors and local residents.

It was also great to catch up with Cllr John McCusker in Penley and Overton this month to discuss a range of local issues in his ward which we are now working together on for local residents.

Since my last column I have also visited the Development Bank of Wales’s headquarters in Wrexham to catch up with team and HMP Berwyn to hear about its mental health and rehabilitation schemes.
I led on the creation of the UK’s first regional development bank during my time as the Welsh Government’s Economy Minister, and visited earlier this month to catch up with Executive Director Neil Maguinness and his team and hear how they are continuing to support Welsh businesses.

Throughout the pandemic, the Development Bank has supported a huge number of businesses in our region. In fact, it has helped a disproportionate number of micro and small businesses in Wrexham and across North Wales since its creation.

This is in no doubt due to the fact that the bank was headquartered in Wrexham rather than Cardiff, with dozens of financial experts offering a variety of financial products to employers.

The Development Bank of Wales continues to grow and the staff at the Wrexham HQ are phenomenal in the way they support local businesses. With the headquarters here in Wrexham we also have a major financial institution to attract in other businesses in the financial and services sector.

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The Welsh Blood Service is in our area throughout September, with upcoming sessions in Acrefair, Chirk, Rhos and Wrexham.

One blood donation can save up to three lives, and the service aiming to reach its target of 350 donations a day. You can book your lifesaving appointment here.

On August 8th, our friend and popular Clwyd South Labour Party comrade Ray Prescott passed away.
Ray was the epitome of a larger-than-life character and was hugely respected by many of us. His dedication to the Labour Party and to social justice was unwavering. He was a tireless campaigner and also gave countless hours volunteering at Plas Madoc Leisure Centre, where his expertise as a former aircraft engineer were invaluable and where he was an equally popular figure.
Ray (second right) was a devoted dad and grandad, and was dedicated to his wife Glenys. Our thoughts are with his family at this incredibly sad time. Cysga di mewn hedd – rest in peace, Ray.

If you need advice or support, please email [email protected] and include your home address and a contact number. You can also find regular coronavirus updates on my Facebook page and sign up to my weekly newsletters here.

Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South constituency Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in Parliament and the Senedd, and closer to home. (You can view an archive here).