My 2021/22 report back to members

PIC CREDIT

Jessica Morden MP My 2021-22 report back to you

I write to you this autumn with our political and dayto-day landscape looking very different to this time last year, and amid it all, I hope you are well and keeping safe.

I wanted to take this opportunity to write to you with some of my work over the last year, both here in Newport East, and in Westminster.

In the face of the worst cost-of-living crisis that this country has seen in many decades, I know the last year has been incredibly challenging for so many in Newport East and will continue to be in the months that lie ahead.

Over the 12 months I have taken every opportunity to stand up for the people of Newport East on issues such as cuts to Universal Credit, the contaminated blood scandal, the cost-of-living crisis, steel manufacturing, rail infrastructure and passport and immigration delays at the Home Office.

As well as standing up for Newport East in Parliament, my roles in the House also include that of Senior Whip and Shadow Deputy Leader of the House, as well as serving on house committees and All Party Parliamentary Groups - more details of which you can find later on in this report.

As always, I continue to work as part of a team with our Labour councillors in Newport and Monmouthshire (huge congratulations to all of those who were elected in May) and John Griffiths MS. I also send a massive thank you to all our members who voted for me to be reselected as the Parliamentary candidate for Newport East. Thank you so much - I am so proud to be your candidate again.

If there's any way I can support you, your family, friends or community with please do get in touch - you'll find all my contact details on the back page of this newsletter.

My year in numbers

4370

the number of cases my team and I have worked on for constituents during the last year

65

the number of times I've spoken in debates and question times

138

-the number of written questions I have submitted to Ministers on behalf of constituents over the last 12 months

... and in words

Pic: Jessica Taylor

Security Prosperity Respect Promoted by Deborah Davies, on behalf of Newport Labour both at Ringland Labour Club, Ringland Circle, Newport, NP19 9PS. Printed by Minuteman Press, 27A Hill Street, Newport, NP20 1LZ

More investment for our Police

In Parliament I’ve continued to call for greater investment in policing after a decade of Tory cuts. In the Commons I've highlighted how forces like Gwent are still struggling financially. I've also spoken out about how UK Government policies result in Welsh police forces being forced to pay around £6m more than their English counterparts to train new officers;

We need UK steel Representing workers and the steel plants at Llanwern and Liberty – and working closely alongside the Community, GMB and Unite unions – I’ve regularly spoken out in Parliament on the challenges and opportunities facing our steel sector.

As an active officer of the All Party Steel Group I’ve campaigned for the government to place our steel industry where it belongs – at the heart of a comprehensive, forward-looking industrial strategy.

In Parliament I've called for overdue action on the huge industrial electricity costs which hold back our steel sector, as well as highlighting the need for a procurement strategy that maximises the use of UK steel in infrastructure projects.

I also joined colleagues and representatives from the sector in calling on the government to extend safeguards for steel which are so essential for international trade, and I was glad ministers eventually took action to address this. However, we need to be clear that this was a bare minimum - we now need the government to bring forward a green steel deal which places steel at the heart of a green economic recovery from the pandemic. We have a wealth of expertise, experience and quality in our domestic steel industry, and it's high time the government gave our steel workers the vote of confidence they deserve. We need our steel.

while Welsh forces are also denied additional funding to support policing major events in south east Wales.

As I've said before, we really need to see a longterm strategy on funding that addresses the current and evolving challenges our police face. We're simply not getting this from a Tory Government that is soft on crime.

The cost of living crisis

Feedback from constituents shows that that the costof-living crisis has already hit people in Newport East hard, with the costs of everyday essentials like gas, electricity, food and petrol all sky-rocketing. Earlier this year I conducted a cost of living survey for Newport East residents and the results were stark: 95% of those who responded said they had seen an increase in the cost of living; 76% had cut back or made difficult choices to try and save money; and over 15% had shared that they had used food banks.

There’s no doubt that this situation has been exacerbated by this failed Tory government’s economic policies: ill-judged cuts to Universal Credit, a hike in National Insurance contributions, and a refusal to remove VAT on energy bills which have gone through the roof. In May the government u-turned to adopt Labour’s call for a windfall tax on oil and gas companies to help pay for lower household bills, but it should never have taken that long.

Earlier this year I led a debate on the cost of living crisis, and I’ve continued to challenge government ministers on the need for more support for households who are struggling to make ends meet. When Parliament sits again in September I will ensure that I work to keep this issue high on the agenda, holding this government to account and fighting hard for the people of Newport East.

Pic: Jessica Taylor

Other issues I have raised in Parliament over the last year Calling on Boris Johnson to resign at Prime Minister's Questions over his attendance at parties that broke lockdown rules The UK Government's underinvestment in Welsh rail infrastructure The need for the UK Government to follow Wales and Newport's superb record on recycling The need for the government to make good on its ‘not a penny less’ promise on future funding for Wales Supporting Fair Game's call for an overhaul of football governance and financial structures to benefit community-oriented clubs like Newport County AFC Tackling fraud and excessive government waste Policies to address the impact of the menopause on the lives of women across the UK, including at work The plight of Newport East-based Afghan interpreters and their families following the fall of Kabul Support for small businesses in the face of mounting energy costs Aid for communities across the world affected by climate change The campaign for compensation for family members of those who lost loved ones after they received contaminated blood products The unfairness of lower rates of Universal Credit for those aged under 25 The government's failure to tackle a backlog for passport applications The need for government support for customers of collapsed energy companies The contribution of the Muslim community in Newport East and Wales Improving cross-border rail services and supporting a new station for Magor The importance of wetlands, like the RSPB Wetlands in Newport, for our climate, biodiversity and wellbeing Government introducing unnecessary red tape to penalise trade unions The collapse of the Football Index and its impact on those affected Problems with the Home Office handling of visas, asylum applications and the Homes for Ukraine scheme The impact of increased fuel costs on domiciliary care workers Delays in pensions reaching people after they reach pension age The campaign to fortify flour products with folic acid to reduce the number of children born with spinal defects UK Government cuts to Fare Share and the need for action on food insecurity

Here are some of the roles I have in Parliament: Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Commons Shadow Vice Chamberlain of HM Household (Senior Whip) Opposition Whip for PMQs, and the Shadow Wales, BEIS and Climate Change Teams Member, House of Commons Administration Committee These are the All-Party Parliamentary Groups I am a member of: Steel Hospitality, Events and Major Food & Drink Businesses in Wales The Western Gateway Wetlands Pubs Rail in Wales Key cities Haemophilia and Contaminated Blood Mindfulness Terminal Illness Menopause Beauty Motor Neurone Disease Industrial Heritage Georgia Poland Human Microbiome

At home in Newport East

Along with my work in Westminster, when I am at home in the constituency I visit local groups and businesses, as well as supporting charities and local events.CAPTION With the return to near-normality after the pandemic, this year I've been able to meet and chat to many constituents right across Newport East, hearing about their work, their challenges and celebrating their successes with them - and it's been a real pleasure and a privilege.

Here are just a few snapshots from the last twelve months.

Magor Frost Fayre

Langstone Primary School

Llanwern Golf Club

Tarmac

Keep up to date with my work You can keep up with the work I'm doing in Newport East and Westminster via the following channels;

Jessica Morden MP

jessicamordenmp Caldioct Surgery

Newport County

East Side Boxing Club

Sea Cadets

jessicamordenmp

Newport Veteran's Hub

CAPTION Llanwern High School

St. Josephs Primary

Jessica Morden MP Newport & Gwent Dragons

Jessica Morden MP DWP at Ringland Hub

Playgroup at Ringland Hub

Royal Mail Caldicot

Commonwealth War Graves

jessicamorden_mp

Jubilee celebrations

ReadyPower Rail Services

Newport East Super Surgery

jessicamorden.com Wilko

Jessica Morden MP

Llanwern Steelworks

HOPE

Maindee Festival

Reuse Centre, Maindee

Get in touch

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I know that the months ahead will be tough for households across Newport East due to the rising cost-of-living. However, there is help available and my team and I are always on hand to help and support you, so please do get in touch if we can assist with any issues you might have.

jessica.morden.mp@parliament.uk

01633 841725

Security Prosperity Respect Promoted by Deborah Davies, on behalf of Newport Labour both at Ringland Labour Club, Ringland Circle, Newport, NP19 9PS. Printed by Minuteman Press, 27A Hill Street, Newport, NP20 1LZ