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It has been a busy period in the lead up to Christmas, and an especially testing time for those who have had to worry about flooding affecting their homes and businesses.

As we are forced to accept weather patterns have become less predictable due to climate change, we must be more proactive in preparing for these now not-so-uncommon storms such as the ones we’ve experienced in recent weeks.

I visited two rugby clubs in Cross Keys and Crumlin – who have both suffered significant damage to their clubhouses in recent years due to storms – to better understand what is needed to ensure their awful situations aren’t repeated.

I was pleased to be joined by flooding experts from Caerphilly County Borough Council and Natural Resources Wales at the meeting at Cross Keys RFC, who explained the vast majority of the flood water came into the club via its cellar doors, which due to being below ground, was an easy access spot.

Crumlin RFC also has a similar issue, which was discussed alongside local councillors during a separate meeting.

After talks, it was agreed floodgates to go over the cellar doors would be the best course of action, and I have since written to NRW and CCBC to ask if there is any funding available for clubs across Newport West and Islwyn.

I was very pleased to hear as part of the budget that members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) would see £2.3 billion returned, ending an historic injustice against tens of thousands of miners, many of whom lived and worked across the area of Newport West and Islwyn.

Ahead of the budget, I held a meeting with some of those BCSSS members in Newbridge Memo to hear about their struggles, and I’m thrilled to say, thanks to this government, mineworkers will receive on average an increase of £100 per week for each pensioner or their families.

We owe a debt of gratitude to the mineworkers who built and powered our country for generations. They have fought for justice for many years. In a landmark decision, Labour will hand over the fund to the pension scheme, ensuring former pit workers who powered the country for decades finally get the just rewards from their labour.

I had the pleasure of attending a County in the Community session in Rogerstone earlier this month; an outreach programme set up by Newport County AFC following their promotion to the Football League in 2013.

The charity visits schools and other community groups across Gwent, and it was touching to see how much of an impact these sessions had on children who haven’t had it the easiest up to now. 

Speaking to Joe Beckett who runs the Schools Programmes, he said how rewarding it was to see often disruptive pupils find focus through sports, often to the point where they are able to be reintegrated back into their schools.

It was clear how much the boys taking part in the dodgeball session looked up to Joe and his team, and I’ve since suggested some other schools that County in the Community could look to book sessions with, so that more children can get involved in the programme.

Finally, I’d like to wish you all a very merry, happy, and safe Christmas period. 

My team and I will be working over the festive break, and can be contacted by emailing ruth.jones.mp@parliament.uk or by calling 01633256268.