A quick round up of some of things I've been doing this week in the Senedd and around the region.
On ITV Wales Sharp End programme I called on the Labour Welsh Government to address the NHS crisis by ensuring workers are paid fairly. https://fb.watch/iahotWPu9A/
I was interviewed by BBC Wales and S4C news about my opposition to the plans to shut three schools in the Swansea Valley to create a super school in Pontardawe. I spoke about my opposition to the plans to close Alltwen, Llangiwg and Godre'rgraig Schools on Newyddion S4C last night. The Welsh Government should never have given the go ahead to these plans which are contrary to so many national policy aims. The new Rainbow Coalition that have taken over from Labour on NPT Council halted these plans to ensure that the community's voice is heard. This new consultation is your chance to make your views known. We need alternative options to be brought forward in terms of English medium education provision in the Swansea Valley and an assurance from the Welsh Government that funding will be available to the council for the other possible options. The consultation period has been extended until 8th February. Share your views here: https://www.npt.gov.uk/1891?lang=en-gb Read the full story here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-64294805?at_link_origin=BBCWalesNews&at_link_id=57EA292C-966A-11ED-88FC-9F3C2152A482&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_campaign_type=owned&at_medium=social&at_campaign=Social_Flow&at_ptr_name=twitter&at_link_type=web_link&at_format=link
In the Senedd I was proud to sponsored and speak at the Welsh launch of a report to the UN on the state of our everyday rights and also shines a light on issues which impinge on those rights - such as the impact of poverty, intersectional inequalities, poor conditions at work and unaffordable or unsuitable housing - and hold both the UK and Welsh Governments to account. There was an excellent discussion on the state of our everyday rights in Wales at the Welsh launch of the Just Fair UK England and Wales Parallel Report to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Read the report here: https://justfair.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Just-Fair-Report-to-CESCR-PSWG-Jan-2023.pdf?fbclid=IwAR39aXe_F8jZEdJTIy7l_utjFCoFYkM_PNovrOSDaQvTz7IwRHEXg6SMwr0
At an RNIB event in the Senedd I met with Paul Jones from Baglan who spoke to me at the RNIB Cymru event in the Senedd this week about his experiences and his ideas about how the NHS can improve the way it communicates with blind and partially sighted patients and ensures equality of access to services. Inequality puts patients at risk of harm and undermines their independence.
To mark 200 years since his birth, I paid tribute in the Senedd to the famous naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace who lived and worked in Neath. Read more here: Britain's Greatest Naturalist - Sioned Williams MS (English)
I also recently met with British Gas and British Gas Energy Trust to discuss the help and support available to households struggling with the Cost Of Living Crisis You could be entitled to additional support with household energy costs. Click here for more info: Help if you're struggling to pay for your energy (britishgas.co.uk)
You can read more of my Senedd speeches and questions here: Sioned Williams MS (senedd.wales)
