Thank you for reading my February newsletter. During February my team and I held 11 advice surgeries for constituents, including specialist weekly immigration clinics. Details of March surgeries are at the bottom of this email You don't need an appointment for surgeries, please just drop in.
February in Parliament was again dominated by Brexit. At the beginning of the month, the Article 50 (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill was passed in the House of Commons, allowing the Government to begin the process of leaving the EU. I voted against the Bill as a whole, but also voted in favour of a number of amendments to the Bill. You can see my votes here. At home, I've visited local mosques, celebrated local business anniversaries and met with representatives from several local organisations. Local Government Elections
On 4th May, we will have the opportunity to vote for the councillors who represent us in Cardiff Council. I've been knocking doors and listening to residents across the city with Labour's candidates. It has been really interesting to find out about the issues that matter to you, and how the hard work of our Labour council has made lives better right across Cardiff.
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Out and About
Cardiff Council's planning committee have refused planning permission for a new development of student accommodation at Cardiff Metropolitan University's Cyncoed campus. I had objected to the plans, on behalf of a large number of residents who are concerned about the impacts of noise, traffic and parking on their homes which border the campus.
This month is LGBT History Month and, to mark the occasion, Pride Cymru have curated an exhibition of inspiring LGBT icons and allies from Welsh history. I visited the Cardiff Story museum to see the exhibition, and their display on the Greenham Common Peace Camp, which started with a women’s march from Cardiff.
The RSPCA held an event in Parliament to campaign for a change in the law which would make it illegal for primates to be sold and kept as pets in the UK. There are 5000 primates being kept as pets in Britain, and many of them are suffering in poor conditions and have welfare problems. Find out more about the campaign here I visited Dar Ul-Isra mosque and Al Manar Centre on Visit My Mosque Day. Hundreds of local residents were given a very warm welcome, and an opportunity to find out about the day-to-day goings on of a Muslim centre of worship, ask questions and have their names written in Arabic.
I joined the Royal College of Midwives this month in Parliament for the launch of their new report on the state of maternity services.The report highlights the problem of the number of midwives retiring, the need to encourage more midwifery qualification and recruitment, along with the impact of Brexit on midwifery recruitment. This is the latest in a number of concerns for both EU citizens and health service
I also joined representatives from charities, medical practitioners and support groups helping sufferers of Lyme Disease in Parliament this month. Lyme Disease, usually contracted due to a tick bite, is difficult to diagnose and treat, and on behalf of a number of constituents, I am calling on the Government to improve the amount of advice and guidance available to both medical staff and the public. Read more on my website.
Adamsdown's Beresford Road Bridge has re-opened, following its closure to allow for the electrification of the railway line. Splott Road Bridge, which links Adamsdown and Splott, will now be reduced to single file traffic until 2018 to allow Network Rail to complete the next stage of works. Find out more here
Students from the University of South Wales visited Parliament this month as part of their public policy and management course. It was a pleasure to meet up with the group, talk about my role as an MP and answer their questions. Welsh Water have created a new scheme to help people on low incomes pay for their water bills. If you are struggling to pay your water bill, and your income is less than £15,000 per year you may be eligible for help. Find out more on Welsh Water's website, or get in touch with my office if you have any issues with your utility bills.
providers who need immediate certainty from the Government on their fate after Britain leaves the EU.
I also joined the Heritage Lottery fund in Parliament to find out about some of their work preserving historic buildings and monuments, including the Cardiff Story Museum, Cardiff Castle, The Gate in Roath and restoration of the Cathays Cemetery Chapels. In Parliament
I visited the 72nd Cardiff Guides this month to talk about what an MP does, how politics affects every aspect of our lives and why it's important we see more women MPs in future so our Parliament reflects our population. We also had a lot of fun each picking one thing we would do if we were Prime Minister Read more Alongherewith over 100 other MPs this month, I called for the Government to provide funding and commitment to the development of the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon. The lagoon would be the first of its kind in the UK, and an independent report recently recommended that it should be given the go-ahead as soon as possible. Tidal Lagoons use tidal energy to generate electricity.
This year I hosted an event in Parliament to launch the week, which is an opportunity to celebrate the work that union representatives do to support and represent their colleagues in workplaces up and
Brexit: Article 50 Bill
Each February around Valentine's Day the Trades Union Congress (TUC) holds Heart Unions Week.
I spoke in the Bill debate, highlighting the issues for EU nationals living in Cardiff Central who are very uncertain about their futures. You can read the text of my contribution here and find out more about the Bill here Heart Unions Week
The passage of the EU (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill (the Article 50 Bill) continued in Parliament this month. Hundreds of amendments to the Bill were tabled but votes were held on a very limited number of them. You can see how I voted Amendmentshere I supported included guaranteed replacement EU funding for Wales, to guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in the UK, for proper consultation with governments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on final terms and for the public to have a say on the final terms of exit. Unfortunately all the amendments to the Bill were voted down by the Tories and Unionists, who have a majority. The next stage of the Bill’s progression is taking place in the House of Lords, where additional amendments are being debated and voted on.
Every Wednesday, 11am - 12 noon
Immigration Clinic at Constituency Office, 116 Albany Road
Advice Surgery at Constituency Office, 116 Albany Road
Advice Surgery at St German's Church Hall, Adamsdown
Friday 10th March, 2pm - 3pm
Friday 17th March, 2pm - 3pm
Upcoming Surgeries
Advice Surgery at Rhydypennau Library, Cyncoed Friday 17th March, 4pm - 6pm
I hold regular surgeries around the constituency. All surgeries are drop-in, no appointment is needed.
Advice Surgery at Constituency Office, 116 Albany Road
down the country. Before I was an MP I was a trade union solicitor, acting on behalf of trade union members injured or mistreated at work so I know first-hand how important unions are to ensuring safe, healthy and fair workplaces. To find out more, including how to join a union, visit the Heart Unions website.
Advice Surgery at Pentwyn Leisure Centre
Friday 3rd March, 4pm - 6pm
Friday 10th March, 11am - 12 noon
Advice
Thursday 23rd March, 4pm - 6pm Advice Surgery at Constituency Office, 116 Albany Road Full details of upcoming surgeries are listed on my website Copyright © 2017 Jo Stevens MP, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list
