It’s good to be writing to you having returned to Parliament following the General Election.
Firstly can I address the terrible violence that has been breaking out across the UK.
At a time when the nation should have been mourning the appalling and upsetting crime that took place in Southport, we were instead dealing with terrible violence and disorder erupting on the streets.
Keir Starmer immediately began working with senior police and law enforcement leaders to ensure that those criminals who have taken part in, and provoked, this violence and disorder would be swiftly made to face the full force of the law.
I believe that the quick response that saw rioters arrested and appearing in court earlier this week will have undoubtedly dissuaded many from the further violence planned on Wednesday. The thousands of police officers put onto the streets and the show of unity from communities affected will go some way to hopefully preventing further mass disorder.
The Prime Minister is right when he says that these are not protests but rather organised, violent thuggery stirred up by the far-right, and it has no place on our streets.
This Labour Government will not tolerate a breakdown in law and order, and remains committed to being tough on crime and violence.

Parliament update
It was great to hold a get together for party members at Bedwellty House following the election, thanks to everyone who came along.
The fantastic result in Blaenau Gwent & Rhymney shows what a strong and united local campaign we ran here. Again, a big thank you to everyone who lent a hand, spreading our message of ‘Change’ across our valleys and in our neighbouring battleground seats, helping to secure a UK Labour Government.
I am very pleased to have been returned with the highest Labour majority in Wales, and I am honoured to have been re-elected.
The first few weeks of Labour Government have been strong, and it’s good to see early movement on some issues that I have been campaigning on for so long.
For example, I recently spoke with Sarah Jones MP, the Minister responsible for the review of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme sharing agreement. She told me that the department is working through the implementation of the plan and I’m very pleased to hear that an update is expected in the Autumn.
We all want to start getting things done and, at last, we are in a position to do so. But that’s not to say it will be easy, our Chancellor Rachel Reeves is having to make some tough economic decisions to balance the books on the absolute disaster we have inherited. Seeing the true state the previous Conservative government left our finances in makes me very angry.
I understand the concerns that have arisen around some of these decisions, for example the changes to winter fuel allowance.
These are absolutely not the sort of decisions any incoming government wants to make, and it is painful to have to do so.
In the long-term our policies are aimed at bringing down energy bills and reducing fuel poverty.
We want to restore economic stability to improve people’s lives.
We will set up Great British Energy, a publicly-owned clean power company to cut bills for good, paid for by a windfall tax on oil and gas giants.
We will close non-dom tax loopholes and invest in reducing tax avoidance to help balance the books.
Meanwhile, it is important that we increase uptake of pension credit.

For many years now I have been campaigning to promote the benefits of Pension Credit. Data shows millions of pounds in benefit and support going unclaimed across our valleys.
The benefits include free NHS dental treatment and check-ups, free sight tests, vouchers for glasses and help with travel costs to and from hospital.
The Treasury will be working with local authorities to boost uptake and target additional support to the pensioners most in need.
Pensioners can check qualification for Pension Credit by clicking here or by calling the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.

Food and rural affairs
It was good to join our Labour Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs Daniel Zeichner MP, Deputy First Minister of Wales and Senedd Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs Huw Irranca-Davies at Brian Bowen’s farm in Princetown to hear local farmers and their union reps talk about farming issues and our local environment.

Mountain Rescue
I was delighted to recently present the King’s Coronation Medal to local members of the South Wales Mountain Rescue Search Dog Association for their long service supporting mountain rescue teams and police forces in their search for missing and vulnerable persons.
Well done to Mark Gibbings, Janet Gibbings, Colin Morgan and Robert Farnham. Special thanks to rescue dog Cizzie!

Surgery
Thank you to Cllr Carl Cuss for joining me at a surgery in Rhymney recently, and also Cllr Sue Edmunds for joining me in Ebbw Vale.
If you wanted to attend either of these surgeries but were unable, you can contact me by emailing nick.smith.mp@parliament.uk or calling my office 01495 313167.
I have an upcoming surgery next week with Cllr Tommy Smith, Cllr Malcolm Cross and Cllr Diane Rowberry – Tuesday August 13 (4pm – 5pm) at Ystrad Deri Community Centre, Dukestown, Tredegar (NP22 4DE).

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