“In the midst of the cost-of-living crisis, this is awful” – MS attacks free school meal decision

Peredur Owen Griffiths, who represents Plaid Cymru, is one of four regional Senedd Members serving the South Wales East region.

It was disappointing to hear that the Labour Government in Wales has decided not to find the money to feed vulnerable kids this summer.

The short notice that this bombshell was dropped on parents by Labour only served to exacerbate the impact of this retrograde step. When families are living on the breadline – or under it – every penny is budgeted and accounted for. By making this decision just a few weeks before the summer holiday, Labour have made it impossible for many to find the extra cash needed. In the midst of the cost-of-living crisis, this is awful.

The fall-out from this Labour decision has been vociferous and widespread. My Plaid Cymru colleagues Sioned Williams and Heledd Fychan gave the Labour Education Minister a very tough time during a topical question asked in the Senedd on the matter. What was not expected was the outcry from Swansea-based Labour backbencher Mike Hedges who asked his party colleague how the government could find £4 million for a private company opening a zipwire in his constituency “rather than feeding children in families in need.”

Whilst Mr Hedges expressed what many charities and people outside the Labour Party are saying about the matter, it is rare to see dissent from this normally tightly-run political party that often comes down heavily on anyone criticising from within the inner circle.

It is to be welcomed that Caerphilly Council has found the cash to bridge the gap in the summer food initiative left by the Labour Government. I was also pleased to see that Plaid Cymru-run Gwynedd Council has done the same and will ensure that children in need in that part of Wales will not go hungry this summer. Politics is about priorities and it is heartening to see that local authorities like Caerphilly and Gwynedd have got them in the right order when it comes to looking after vulnerable children.

One thing that people are not so sure about when it comes to Caerphilly Council is the town redevelopment. Many questions have been raised about the proposals, their compatibility with the character of a town with a medieval castle as its centrepiece and the lack of meaningful consultation with people and local businesses.

For example, I recently found out about a forthcoming public meeting on the plans at Caerphilly Workmen’s Hall at 6.30pm on Tuesday August 1. This has been arranged by ‘Caerphilly Town 2035’ which is a partnership between Caerphilly County Borough Council, Welsh Government and Transport for Wales. It seems I am one of the few that know about it as the advertising of this meeting has been scant. Businesses have complained to my party colleagues that they are being kept in the dark about the plans and the opportunities to engage in public forums like this. I would urge everyone with a view on the town centre proposals to attend this meeting and make their voice heard loud and clear because there is little opportunity left to shape the plans that will define the town centre for generations to come.

To finish on a positive note, it was great to drop into the Playscheme at Penyrheol, Trecenydd, and Energlyn, which is being run for local kids every weekday over the summer holidays until August 16. This has been made possible by the work of volunteers, funding from the Plaid Cymru-run community council and the support of the local community. Schemes like this make a huge difference as they provide affordable fun and entertainment for children over the long summer break that can be very expensive for families.

The same goes for the Aber Valley Wolves rugby league club, which has also been supported with grants from the Plaid Cymru Penyrheol, Trecenydd, and Energlyn Community Council. This successful club provides a sporting activity for children of all ages to do over the summer when the rugby union and football season has halted. The club must be doing something right because not only do they have hundreds of kids on the books but they have also produced players who have gone on to win international honours at their age grade.

Da iawn to everyone involved with the Aber Valley Wolves!