Sharing the morning with students in Rhymney for A level and GCSE results
On both A-level results day and GCSE results day this month, I was pleased to be able to share part of the morning with students at Idris Davies 3-18 School in Rhymney, as well as meet with the school’s headteacher, Mr Owen, and Caerphilly Council’s Chief Education Officer, Keri Cole, to discuss the school’s great sets of results.
Congratulations again to the pupils at Idris Davies School and at schools across Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney – and special thanks to all the teachers and support staff for their hard work and dedication.
Pension Credit scandal: the UK Government must take action now
Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit, designed to help older people who are finding it hard to get by day-to-day or pay their bills. Currently in the UK, less than half of the households entitled to Pension Credit are actually receiving it.
In Merthyr Tydfil and the Upper Rhymney Valley, as many as 3,220 households are missing out on almost £6 million in Pension Credit, and in a debate in Parliament last month I called on the Government to take immediate action over the scandal and make sure everyone in our area is getting the benefits they are entitled to.
Current take-up of Pension Credit is at just 65% and the Government must do more – I will continue to do all I can to ensure it doesn’t let the millions of older people in Wales and across the UK down.
Hard work continues during parliamentary recess: catching up with the local community
During August, Parliament has been in recess and I’ve been able to use most of the time to catch up with community groups and events here in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, as well as get out and about in the local area to talk to residents about issues or concerns they have and follow these up with my team.
Earlier this month, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney AM Dawn Bowden and I hosted the Fochriw money and wellbeing community advice day, which was a great success with a wide range of local agencies and organisations attending.
I also recently hosted an afternoon tea event at the Rhymney Day Centre in aid of Breast Cancer Care and Helping Hands Rhymney, a local breast cancer self-help charity, which raised over £100 for the charities to support the great work they do helping people affected by breast cancer.
It was great to be able to attend the Deri and Phillipstown carnivals earlier this month too, which both had excellent support and turnout from local people – there was a great community atmosphere at both events, made possible with all the hard work of the organisers.
Parliament is back in session on 3 September and I’m getting ready for a busy and hectic few months ahead.