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Dawn Bowden is the Labour Senedd Member for the Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney constituency.

Can I wish all constituents in the Upper Rhymney valley a Happy New Year. It was my pleasure to attend a number of school and community events over the Christmas and New Year period and my thanks go to everyone for their entertaining efforts. 

Cost-of-living advice

I am however very aware that these remain tough times for many local families and please remember that there is help and support available. The best place to check is the Welsh Government “Cost of Living Hub” which is kept updated with all the latest news about sources of financial support and other advice. See Get help with the cost of living | GOV.WALES 

Rail update

There are two important issues regarding rail services on the Rhymney line.  

Firstly it is great news that new trains are coming to the Rhymney line in the near future and this will be a clear sign of the improvements being made as a result of the Welsh Government investment in the Metro network. 

However, in order to gain the full benefits of the Metro investment, including the planned increase in the frequency of journeys, then periods of engineering work will be required across the rest of this year. This will mean periods when bus replacement services will run as the train line will be closed for the necessary engineering work to take place.  

As someone recently told me, “you can’t make an omelette without breaking an egg” – but I do understand that the short-term inconvenience can be a frustration. You can keep up with all news about the rail line, engineering works and the Metro investment via the Transport for Wales website.  

Local policing

Gerald Jones MP, local councillors and I started the New Year with our latest catch-up meeting with the local policing team in the Upper Rhymney valley. I know constituents will welcome some strengthening of the team and a number of recent successes in tackling criminal behaviour. Thank you to the local policing team for their efforts and keep up the good work in the year ahead. 

Our NHS and care services

I am very aware that conditions remain difficult for our local health and social care services. Discussions between the Welsh Government and our trade union partners continue as we seek solutions to some of the demands made on our services and by the staff. We are seeking to identify further funding for our Welsh NHS but we also need the UK Government to step up to the mark and to help provide funding for all our vital services.  

In 2023 we will see an uplift in the real living wage for social care workers and it is hoped this will help retain staff and encourage more people to consider working in this vital sector. 

Case work

As always I have an active range of case work on behalf of constituents in the Upper Rhymney Valley and in forthcoming meetings with the leadership of Caerphilly County Borough Council we will discuss further important issues around the council budget and priorities.  

Here to help

As always my constituency team are here to help and if you need any advice or support please email: dawn.bowden@senedd.wales or ring 01685 386672.