Hefin David MS talks drone technology and welfare reforms

Hefin David is the Labour Senedd Member for the Caerphilly constituency.

I was delighted to be invited to speak at a ‘Future of Flight’ event in Westminster recently, which explored the benefits of drone technology.

The University of Birmingham’s Future Flight Social Science Research Programme is working to understand the public’s hopes, fears and expectations around three transformative areas: 

• Non passenger-carrying drones;
• Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing vehicles (eVTOLs);
• and Electric/hydrogen Regional Air Mobility (RAM). 

It really is a very interesting prospect, with the potential to use drones to transport blood for medical use or be involved in rail repairs without disrupting services. The possibilities are vast and I am keen to see how the work in this area progresses.

While I was in London, the UK Government’s Spring Statement was taking place. I had the opportunity to speak with many Welsh MPs. I heard their initial thoughts about the announcements made that day.

We discussed the UK Government’s welfare reforms. There is an opportunity here for the benefits system to be shaped in the best way possible, ensuring those who need it get the support they are entitled to.

But the UK Government must also listen to the concerns of those who are worried about the support they will receive in the future.

The UK Government proposals are currently out for consultation, I will be submitting a joint response with Chris Evans, MP for Caerphilly.

I am currently working with neurodiversity assessment services, benefits advisors and employability support companies to help form our response.

The most important thing to note here is that this is just the start of the conversation, not the end.

If you would like me to include your views in my response, please email me: hefin.david@senedd.wales