I held a Street Surgery and Advice Surgery in Baglan, where I spoke with constituents. There was a lot of concern about Johnson’s leadership, rising energy bills, health services and crime.
Under the Tory Government, Aberavon households face significant rises in the cost of living. Gas and electricity is up £741 to £2,000. Since last January, petrol prices have risen 22%, and family food costs are up £100+ a year!
The Government has failed to deliver any practical steps to alleviate the crisis. I support the plan to tax the booming profits of North Sea Oil and Gas Firms to put up to £600 back in your pocket and to businesses and protect jobs. I am also in favour of building a resilient home-grown energy market, to reduce our reliance on imported gas.
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Volunteering for Age Cymru
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As part of The Great Get Together, I volunteered for Age Cymru as part of their Friend in Need telephone befriending service.
The Great Get Together - inspired by my late friend Jo Cox MP - helps unite people, bridge divides, and tackle loneliness while showing the collective power of community.
Age Cymru's service can be accessed by people over 70s living in Wales and alleviates feelings of isolation and loneliness. Most of us have felt lonely at some point in our lives - but for a growing number of people, particularly those in later life, loneliness can define their lives and significantly impact their well-being. Age Cymru's vital service attempts to combat this public health issue.
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Campaigning in the Town Centre
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This month I joined NPT Councillors and David Rees MS in Aberavon town centre to campaign. It was a great opportunity to talk with people about their concerns and hopes for the future of Aberavon.
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Nationality and Borders Bill
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This month I met with local community members concerned about the Nationality and Borders Bill and its implications for citizenship. I arranged the meeting to get constituents feedback on the Bill. Concerns were raised about Clause 9 that allows the Home Secretary to deprive someone of their British citizenship without giving them notice, offering little to no chance to appeal. Clause 9 is a deep worry for the millions of dual nationals who could be eligible for deprivation of citizenship. The Home Secretary must think again.
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January 21 was the one-year anniversary of the Skewen floods. Twelve months on, the residents – whose lives were turned upside down by a devastating man-made flood in January 2021 – are yet to receive justice.
For the last year I’ve supported and helped those affected and through our Justice for Skewen campaign I’ve continued to call on the Coal Authority and the UK Government to accept liability for the awful damage done by this incident, and to cover all uninsured losses and any gaps not covered by insurance, so that no resident is left out of pocket.
The fight for justice goes on!
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Visit to Envases at Baglan Industrial Park
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I visited Envases, an innovative business based in Baglan Industrial Park and a major supplier for aerosols and screw necked bottles to the UK market. Investing heavily in their employees, research and development, and patented technologies, they bring over 130 jobs to the area.
Envases are one example of the many first-rate businesses that operate from the park – contributing to the local economy and job security.
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SMASHED at Ysgol Cwm Brombil
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I attended a virtual performance for Ysgol Cwm Brombil by Smashed UK – an alcohol awareness programme for 11–14-year-olds that seeks to explore the causes and consequences of underage drinking. A fantastic performance by the actors playing Mal, Georgia and Freddie.
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Shadow Minister for Immigration
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Following the tragic passing of my dear colleague Jack Dromey MP – a giant of Labour politics – I was asked to step into Jack’s shoes as Shadow Minister for Immigration. Big boots to fill, but I look forward to working with Yvette Cooper MP and the Shadow Home Office team. I thoroughly enjoyed my short time serving in John Healey MP’s Defence team and will continue to be a champion of our Armed Forces.
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Cost of Living and Food Insecurity Debate
I questioned the Minister of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Conservative MP Victoria Prentis, on the rising cost of living. I cited research from the House of Commons Library that show in Aberavon, electricity and gas prices are up by £741 a year, the petrol price is up by 22%, and food costs have risen by £100 a year. I condemned the Governments to plan to hike national insurance contributions, given the increasing burden families are under.
Levelling-up Debate
I questioned the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, on the Shared Prosperity Fund funding for the poorest parts of the country in response to the Levelling-up White Paper. The 2019 Tory manifesto promised not a single penny would be lost in the transition from EU development funding to Shared Prosperity Fund. Yet we now know some of the poorest parts of the UK will miss out on £1 billion. I was pleased that Michael Gove said he would meet my colleagues and me to discuss this matter.
Backbench Business Debate: UK-Taiwan Friendship and Co-operation Debate
This month I gave a speech at the UK-Taiwan Friendship and Co-operation Debate in the House of Commons. In the speech, I highlighted that Taiwan is a beacon of liberal democracy – and therefore a critical ally of Britain – but it is also a leader in health and technology and can offer the world so much. The UK Government must not cower to China and work with our allies to help Taiwan gain World Health Organisation observer status.
Lunar New Year Celebration of East & South East Asians for Labour
I attended the Lunar New Year Celebration of East & South East Asians for Labour which included a brilliant Elvis tribute. Our East & South East Asian community contribute a huge amount to our society, economy and culture.
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Mirror Online - Steel chiefs hail MPs’ probe into how industry can fight climate change, 4 February 2022
I was quoted speaking about the need for the steel industry to cut emissions, and the Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) recently launched enquiry into “Green Steel”.
“It’s encouraging to see the EAC is launching an inquiry into ‘Green Steel’, not least because the UK has fallen a long way behind European competitors in researching hydrogen-powered steelmaking.”
Politics Home - Ministers Struggle To Find Small Boats Fixes As Surge In Crossings Approaches, 9 February
The government has made little progress in its bid to tackle Channel crossings, with a Home Office insider describing the situation as "kind of a mess".
I told Politics Home: "practical steps to improve joint security and co-operation operations with France in order to clamp down on traffickers who are risking vulnerable people’s lives for profit". “Instead of taking the serious action needed the Home Secretary has made outlandish suggestions, including sonic waves and building processing centres in countries which had no knowledge of her plans. Meanwhile, there is complete confusion about who is in charge of this crisis – the Home Office or the Ministry of Defence".
The Guardian - English test scandal: Home Office accused of ‘shocking miscarriage of justice’, 09 February 2022
I was quoted in the Guardian calling out the Home Office’s incompetence regarding the forceful removal of around 2,500 students from the UK after being accused of cheating in the exam and a further 7,200 leaving the country after being warned that they faced detention and removal if they stayed. I urged that help be provided to help these students clear their names, highlighting that this case brought the department’s fundamental flaws into “one toxic combination of indifference and incompetence”.
Express - Labour warning: Party must be 'anti-crime' and attack cancel culture to be electable, 29 January 2022
The Express reported on Renaissance’s report into how Labour can win back voters who backed the Conservatives at the last election. We should not be shy in raising concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour, poor conviction rates, weak sentences and re-offending. This year we must, and we will, show Britain that we are the party of prosperity – with our plan for growth and good jobs; of security – with a plan for safer neighbourhoods and more resilient Britain that can stand more firmly on its own two feet; and of respect – where we spend every penny of taxpayer money wisely.
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You can get in touch with us by calling the office on 01639 897660.
Alternatively please send an email to [email protected]
We are not currently operating a drop-in surgery in the office, but you can book a call-back or Teams appointment with a caseworker, Monday to Friday, by completing this form https://bit.ly/2ySiyh9
Check my website and Facebook page for details of my next advice surgery.
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Stephen Kinnock
MP for Aberavon
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