Campaign trail

Aberavon Labour campaign team out early on a morning

campaigning in the Aberavon ward, really positive reception

on the doorstep. Thank you all for coming out in support.

David walks to

school Recently, I once again braved

the elements, accompanied by

Briton Ferry’s Cllr Huw James

and Chris James, to show again

the challenging journey faced by

pupils of Briton Ferry when the

new school in Baglan opens its

doors in September.

Tata announcement – David submits urgent question to First Minister I submitted an urgent question to

the First Minister following the

announcement from Tata Steel

on the job losses at the Port

Talbot works: "Following the

announcement by Tata of job

reductions at steel plants across

Wales, the vast majority of which

will be at the Port Talbot plant,

will the First Minister make a

statement on discussions the

Welsh Government has had

about the future of Tata Steel

operations in Wales and the

actions it will take to support

those workers who will lose their

jobs." Visit to Express Asphalt

I visited Express Asphalt to

see how they are working with

and supplying the Local authority and

local contractors with asphalt to repair

potholes and road works throughout

the area and beyond.

Minister for Natural

Resources visit I was delighted to Welcome

the Minister for Natural

Resources, Carl Sargeant

to Aberavon. I took the

Minister to see the work that is being carried out to improve

the Weir at Green Park in Port Talbot where he met with

members of Afan Anglers and NRW.

Junior Doctor’s Strike in England I recently spoke on Radio 4’s Today programme, to discuss why

Junior Doctors in Wales weren’t striking. Highlighted the working

relationship that exists between Welsh Government and Doctors’

bodies: Partnership with Welsh Labour, Conflict with English

Tories.

Heart failure This week I chaired a round

table discussion on the impact of

heart failure and progress of the

Welsh Governemnt’s Heart

Disease Delivery Plan. This is a

disease that we can’t lose sight

of and must ensure that funding

for all treatments across Wales

is fair.

Visits to TATA

Over the last months I have had regular meetings with local

trade union representative and management at Port Talbot’s

steel works, Last week I was joined by Derek Vaughan MEP

to listen to the EU issues that need to be tackled. Welsh

Government, UK Government & EU need to work together

on this.

Visit To Port Talbot Afan Womens Aid Delighted to visit PTAWA and meet with their director, Lucy Holmes, to discuss the work being done to support women and their families. They’re also working with perpetrators to tackle the reasons of domestic abuse

Tesco food collection

point Before Christmas I visited the

Port Talbot Tesco store to help

Tesco staff at their food

collection point. Our Food Bank

supports a wide range of

people who find themselves

in desperate need

of support.

Velindre School Visit I visited parent’s

teachers and pupils

at Velindre

school Port Talbot

recently, where I saw

the great work being

carried out by the staff.

Post Office Visit I took time out in December 2015 to see how Royal Mail

were coping over the

Xmas rush as I visited

the Port Talbot sorting

office in Eagle Street,

Port Talbot.

Business growth Asked Welsh Government ‘s

Economy Minister for action to

support entrepreneurs and

businesses in Port Talbot who

wish to start up and/or grow. This

is very important to the future of

our economy.

UNISON Library Petition

I joined Unison members and

members of the public as they handed

over a petition to the Leader of Neath

Port Talbot Council asking for a

rethink on Local Authority budget

proposals, which include library

closures

Sharp End This week I appeared on Sharp End to discuss the

impact of TAT’s announcement of over 750 job losses at

the Port Talbot works.

Breastfeeding in Wales I have asked the Welsh

Government as to who will take

lead on Breastfeeding

Programmes in Wales following

the decision by Public Health

Wales to remove the Post.

Fracking I have been in contact with NRW regarding its decision to

grant a permit to UK Methane for the management of waste

extraction (not for the drilling) at Foel Fynyddau. I have also

written to the Natural Resources Minister seeking more

clarification on this matter as the test being used appears to

include hydraulic fracturing (fracking). Looking forward to

meeting both soon

Ministers statement on Tata I asked the Economy Minister questions on her

statement regarding TATA steel job losses in my

constituency. I have included a link to her full statement. http://gov.wales/…/fir…/2016/160118-statement-on-

tatasteel/…

WREC I attended a celebration at

WREC for achieving the Welsh

Government's Gold Small Workplace

Health Award, the national mark of quality

for health and wellbeing in the workplace

for businesses employing fewer than 50

people.