Kevin Brennan MP | Official Website

Cardiff West memories wanted for Jubilee time capsule

2012-05-28T13:27:00.004+01:00

LOCAL MP, Kevin Brennan, is asking members of the public to join him in recording a Jubilee Time Capsule 'memory' for future generations.

The Royal Commonwealth Society’s Jubilee Time Capsule project is collating memories from the last 60 years from people across the Commonwealth.

Memories that are uploaded do not have to be about the Queen or the Royal Family but instead what individuals want to record and save for generations to come.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for local people to get involved in not only the Diamond Jubilee but also take part in the world’s largest online history project," said Kevin.

"I would encourage people to upload a memory and record a piece of their own personal history for future generations to enjoy.

"I decided to add the day the Welsh public voted for the creation of the National Assembly for Wales.

"It was an historically important day for Wales and one I will treasure as I was the Chair of the Cardiff Says Yes campaign."

Youngsters pitch ideas to help benefit their local community

2012-05-17T10:36:00.001+01:00

Kevin Brennan has praised the young people who attended Starbucks' Youth Action 'Dragons Den' style event for their outstanding ideas.

The event sees young people pitching their community project ideas for a share of a £10,000 fund. Starbucks volunteers then assist the winning young people to run their community schemes.

Previous organisations and schemes that have benefitted from this initiative in Cardiff West include Fairwater and Pentrebane Community Angling Club. They held an event for local youngsters to take up fishing with their families.

Mr Brennan was one of the judges for the 2012 competition which was held at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.

"I think this a great initiative which allows young people to really think about how they can make a real difference in their community," said Kevin.

"The young people taking part deserve a great deal of credit for not only their fantastic ideas but also having the courage to face a panel and present their ideas.

"I look forward to seeing some of these schemes in action as I think they will prove to be a great way to help improve community spirit in certain areas of Cardiff."

Get inspired for 2012 art competition

2012-05-10T11:19:00.000+01:00

Kevin Brennan MP, is urging young artists and designers, aged between 14-24, to enter Bite the Ballot's Inspired Impressions art competition which could see your artwork displayed in parliament.

The competition is asking people to work around the theme of Britain in 2012, using what inspires them and what they think is great about Britain today.

These can be pictures, paintings, pastels, photographs or collages. Once you have created your work all you need to do is take a picture of your artwork and upload it to any Inspired Impressions portal or via the Bite the Ballot website.

The original pictures must be in between A1 and A4 in size with the winning photographs enlarged for the exhibition.

"This is a great opportunity to have your artwork seen in a national context in the backdrop of the Houses of Parliament," said Kevin.

"This is set to be a memorable year with the Olympics and the Queen's Jubilee celebrations and what a better way to encapsulate the spirit of 2012 than through the medium of art.

"I would encourage any young artists in Cardiff West to give this a go and I will do all I can to support you during the public vote period to get those all important votes."

Submissions close at 6pm on 13 June 2012 and then it goes to the public vote, via Facebook and Twitter, for one week.

Results are announced on 3rd July 2012 and if successful you will be invited to view your artwork in Parliament this autumn.

To find out how to participate and a chance to host a portal check out the Bite the Ballot website by clicking here.

Small Play Grant for children's community groups

2012-04-23T16:53:00.000+01:00

Kevin Brennan MP is calling on local community groups in Cardiff West to apply for a Small Play Grant which could provide up to £5,000 in funding for children's play equipment.

The deadline is fast approaching and Mr Brennan believes the money could be a valuable resource for some community groups to provide extra facilities.

"I do think the council needs to invest more in young people's provisions but this could still be a vital source of funding for some local community groups.

"I would urge any group in Cardiff West that provides open access play for 5-15 year olds to apply for this funding.

"It doesn't cost anything and so it would certainly be worth five minutes of time to fill in the application form.

If you would like to apply for the funding you can do so by contacting the Play and Research Development Officer, Jason Nancurvis, on 02920 873958 or jason.nancurvis@cardiff.gov.uk. The deadline is Friday, April 27.

1,335 families in Cardiff West to lose all their Child or Working Tax Credits

2012-04-12T14:55:00.000+01:00

Cardiff West MP, Kevin Brennan, has slammed the UK Government for their changes to Tax Credits after figures reveal 1,335 families in Cardiff West will lose all of their Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credits.

Families with children will lose an average of £511 a year from the UK Government's changes to tax, benefits and tax credits according to new figures from the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

The analysis follows last month's Budget and is on top of tax rises already introduced, like last year's VAT rise which is costing a family with children an average of £450 per year.

Further information on the affect of Tax Credit changes in Cardiff West reveals:

• 900 families on modest and middle incomes will lose all of their Child Tax Credit – worth around £545 per year.

• And up to 435 working couples earning less than around £17,000 per year will lose all of their Working Tax Credit – worth up to £3,870 per year – if they cannot increase their working hours.

“Families on middle and low incomes here in Cardiff West are facing a tax credits bombshell from David Cameron and George Osborne," said Kevin Brennan.

"It is disgusting that hard working families with children will now be an average of £511 a year worse off while millionaires have received a tax cut after George Osbourne reduced the top rate of income tax.

"Families were already finding it tough after the Government increased VAT last year which is costing a family with children an average of £450 per year.

"These cuts to tax credits for parents on middle and low incomes are unfair and simply another broken promise made by David Cameron during the general election campaign."

Backing British manufacturing in Cardiff West

2012-04-11T10:24:00.000+01:00

Kevin Brennan MP is calling on Cardiff West businesses to take part in a programme to find the UK’s top manufacturer.

Manufacturing Excellence from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers is offering £20,000 worth of free consultancy to all businesses that enter the competition by June 1, 2012.

The UK-wide awards programme (Manufacturing Excellence 2012) helps identify and celebrate outstanding UK manufacturing businesses and also helps companies improve.

"I’m calling on businesses in Cardiff West to apply and take advantage of this programme," said Kevin.

"Entry is free and there is up to £20,000 free consultancy advice up for grabs as well as the chance to win at the prestigious Manufacturing Excellence Awards in November.

"Manufacturing is a vital part of the UK economy and it is important Wales has a healthy and growing manufacturing sector."

Manufacturing Excellence works with manufacturing businesses to help improve their processes and showcase their successes and innovations. The competition is run in partnership with The ERA Foundation, Lombard and WMG and sponsored by Arup.

You can apply for the Manufacturing Excellence 2012 programme by visiting their website here.

St Mary's Catholic Primary School receives international award

2012-04-04T11:03:00.001+01:00

LOCAL MP, Kevin Brennan, has congratulated St Mary's Catholic Primary School in Canton after they received an international award from the Polish government for their work as a multi-lingual and multi-ethnic school.

Mr Brennan, who visited the school last month, believes the award is fully deserved.

"I recently visited St Mary's Catholic Primary School and I have seen first hand why they deserve this award," said Kevin.

"The school has more than 50 pupils who speak Polish with a total of 25 different languages spoken at the school.

"The teachers and staff do a fantastic job with the school's 2009 Estyn report stating 'St Mary's is an outstanding Catholic Primary School'.

"I would like to congratulate St Mary's headteacher, Mr Jefferies, and all the staff on their award as it is fully deserved."

Backing the brewing and pub sector in Cardiff West

2012-03-09T14:03:00.000Z

The brewing and pub sector is a major employer in Cardiff West and local MP Kevin Brennan has expressed concern the UK Government is not doing enough to help British pubs.

The UK Government has refused to launch a review launch of the regulation of pub companies and look at bringing in guidelines to protect tenant landlords.

The brewing and pub sector is a major part of the local economy in Cardiff West supplying a total of 1,167 jobs and contributing £21.0m to the Nation's GDP.

"Pubs are the heart of their communities up and down the country for most towns and Labour worked hard while in Government to avert their decline," said Kevin.

"I am therefore disappointed at the stance the Tory-led Government has taken on this issue since coming to office."

Parliament voted unanimously last month to launch a review of the self-regulatory regime of pub companies and look at bringing in guidelines to protect tenant landlords.

But, in answer to a recent Parliamentary Question from Labour, the Tory-led Government revealed it would be ignoring the vote, saying “It would not be appropriate, at this stage, to commission an independent review.”

"Labour supports a Statutory Industry Code, and creating legislation to bring about the regulation and reform the PubCos industry desperately needs," continued Kevin.

"Whilst in Government Labour made significant progress in this area; pledging a 12 point plan to support pubs ahead of the 2010 General Election that would have provided £4 million of support to pubs around the UK.

"I will continue to press the government on this issue and urge them to support a statutory code for the reform of PubCos."

Cut in VAT is needed to stop high petrol prices

2012-03-07T13:55:00.003Z

KEVIN Brennan MP has called on the UK Government to reduce VAT in their next budget after a garage in Cardiff West was found to be charging the highest price for diesel in the city.

Mr Brennan believes the high cost of petrol is hitting people hard and wants a 2.5% reduction in VAT which would force petrol stations to reduce their prices.

"The high price of petrol is really hitting people hard and I was disgusted to learn Cardiff West has one of the most expensive petrol stations in Wales which is charging 157.9p per litre of diesel," said Kevin.

"The UK Government’s decision to increase VAT to 20% has certainly had a massive effect on the cost of fuel and helped to push the price of petrol to such high levels.

"I would urge the UK Government to rethink their strategy and reduce VAT from 20% to 17.5% which would immediately reduce the price of a litre of petrol by around 3p which would save £1.35 for an average tank of fuel.

"I voted to make this change last year but, unfortunately, the government blocked it and kept VAT at 20%, which has kept petrol prices high and hit economic growth.

"The Chancellor could and should take action to reduce VAT in his Budget next month."

Talking social media at CIPR's Rise & Shine

2012-03-02T11:56:00.001Z

Kevin Brennan recently took part in a Rise & Shine social media event organised by CIPR, who are the professional body for the UK public relations industry, to talk about social media in politics.

The event was held at the Cardiff Arts Institute with PR executive's from around South Wales attending to hear Kevin about social media in politics.

Mr Brennan is the first ever winner of the British Computer Society's Social Media MP of the year award in 2010.

"I'm still learning about social media and by no means do I claim to be an expert but I have always tried my best and not been afraid to explore areas of social media other British politicians haven't used," said Kevin.

"This was a great event to meet people who are experts in social media and share and discuss ideas with them.

"CIPR's Rise & Shine events are held every month and I think it's a good way for the PR industry to learn from other industries, organisations and people outside of their field."

Working together to keep Wales Tidy

2012-02-28T14:43:00.000Z

Local MP, Kevin Brennan joined forces with Keep Wales Tiday and the homelessness charity Llamau to take part in a cleaning blitz of Cathedral Road to collect litter and remove graffiti from lamp posts and letter boxes.

The aim of the event was to raise awareness of, and tackle, the local environmental quality issues that are visible on the road.

The volunteers carried out a range of activities to improve the aesthetic quality of the street including, litter-picking, graffiti removal, enforcement actions and awareness raising.

Kevin Brennan said after the event, "It was great to get involved in an event like this which really raises awareness that people can do more to keep Cardiff tidy.

"It was great to meet other volunteers and businesses that were taken part and see that there are so many people wanting to make a difference.

Lesley Jones, Chief Executive for Keep Wales Tidy, added, “We all have a responsibility to keep our streets clean and tidy and I hope that this exercise has helped the residents and businesses of Cathedral Rd to look after this lovely gateway into Cardiff.

"I am delighted that so many organisations have come together to raise awareness about the importance of looking after the local environment and undertaken practical steps to improve the quality of the street.”

Keep Wales Tidy works with communities and schools to improve the quality of the local environment by developing projects that help people take care of and appreciate our beautiful country.

Riverside Advice Centre launch fuel debt advice service

2012-02-16T15:59:00.000Z

The Riverside Advice Centre has recently launched its fuel debt advice service with the help of British Gas at Cardiff Central Library to give advice about money management and fuel debt advice.

Riverside Advice has recently been awarded a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust to offer support with money management and guidance on how to reduce and prevent fuel debt.

As part of the project, Dale Mills has been employed full time to provide specialist debt advice face to face, online, over the telephone and at home.

The advisors will help with applications to the British Gas Energy Trust, which gives grants to individuals and families who have fallen into arrears with energy and other household bills.

Speaking at the launch of the project, Kevin Brennan MP said, "Sadly more and more people are finding it difficult to pay their energy bills in this economic climate as the UK Government continue to cut and energy prices rise.

“It is pleasing to see one of the major energy companies recognise this difficulty and join forces with the excellent Riverside Advice Centre in providing an important opportunity for people to seek debt advice.

“I do think more energy companies need to take more responsibility for their actions as they are often quick to increase prices when their wholesale costs rise but not to reduce them when their costs decrease.

Barbara Kerridge of Riverside Advice said, “Since we have teamed up with British Gas the specialist fuel debt team have helped many people in Cardiff who are struggling to pay their bills . We have seen a sharp increase in enquiries from clients about fuel debt over the past few months and we are delighted to be able to refer people to the British Gas Energy Trust.”

Lynda Campbell of British Gas Cardiff said, "We know that many families and businesses in Cardiff are feeling the pinch of recession. This is why we want to bring more support to people in their local communities and help them cope in these difficult times. Our advice service is open to everyone who is worried about their finances – not only British Gas customers.

“There are many reasons why people fall into debt, and it’s important to spot the signs early on and offer support before the situation gets out of control. Last year British Gas helped more than a million customers with their bills, and in January this year we committed an extra £20 million to the British Gas Energy Trust to help people who are struggling with all their household bills.”

Over three million people in the UK are already behind on debt repayments and a further three million are at risk of falling into debt. Among the most common debt problems are credit and store cards along with unsecured personal loans.

For more information on how to apply for a grant via the British Gas Energy Trust, visit www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk or 0800 107 5793.

UK Government's proposed metal laws do not go far enough

2012-02-10T12:24:00.001Z

Kevin Brennan MP believes the UK Government is moving far too slowly in dealing with the problem of metal theft in Wales and not going far enough in their plans to tackle the problem.

The Government is moving to stop cash payments to purchase scrap metal and increase fines for those that are found guilty. However, without giving the police the power of entry and the ability to shut down rogue scrap metal yards, the Government runs the risk of making the situation worse and not better.

Mr Brennan is calling on the Government to back Labour's four point plan to tackle Metal theft – which is also supported by British Transport Police, Association of Chief Police Officers and by the Neighbourhood Watch.

1) Licensing scrap metal dealers, rather than current registration with Local Authority.

2) Move to ban cash transactions especially for large scale/high value scrap metal transactions.

3) Tougher police powers to close rogue traders down.

4) Anyone selling scrap to provide proof of identity, recorded at point of sale.

“This Government is moving far too slow and needs to go further if it is to effectively tackle the growing crime of metal theft,” said Kevin.

“In Cardiff hospitals, schools, churches, and our transport infrastructure have all been hit which has caused a massive amount of damage and pu people's lives at risk.

“Between April 2010 and March 2011 cable theft on the railways in Wales and Western has increased by 67%.

"Banning cash transactions in itself will not solve the problem, as whilst legitimate scrap yards will go cashless, some yards may continue to take cash and continue a black market.

“Labour is calling for tougher powers for the police to close these rogue traders down. Currently the police cannot enter a yard and close it down – so the Government’s plan won’t achieve what it is setting out to do.

“People that are selling scrap metal should also have to provide proof of identity at point of sale and the metal dealers should be properly licensed.

“The test of whether this Government is serious about tackling metal theft is whether it backs Labour’s more robust package of measures.”

UK Government cuts savage South Wales Police Force numbers

2012-02-06T15:39:00.001Z

CARDIFF West MP Kevin Brennan today revealed the true extent of the Government’s policing cuts in the South Wales police region and has written to the Home Secretary to outline his disgust.

A shocking 12.5% of South Wales Police Force’s officers are to be lost, leaving 395 less officers to fight crime in the region.

On top of this huge cut in police officers, further police support staff are to be lost, meaning police officers will have to do more administration work.

In addition Neighbourhood Policing is being hit with the loss of 10 PCSOs – despite promises from the Government that this funding was ring-fenced.

“These figures will shock people in Cardiff and surrounding areas because the last thing the public want to see is less police officers on our streets,” said Mr Brennan.

“This Government is taking an irresponsible gamble with policing and public safety in Cardiff and I will be raising this with the Home Secretary to show my disgust.

“Crime fell by 43% under Labour, thanks in no small part to the record numbers of police officers the last Government recruited.

“Crime has stopped going down under this Government and thousands of police officers are being lost.

“David Cameron needs a plan to cut crime, not a plan to cut police officers.”

The British Council helps Cardiff West go international

2012-01-26T12:41:00.002Z

LOCAL MP, Kevin Brennan, has welcomed the international opportunities the British Council has created in Cardiff West for a wide variety of organisations and schools.

The organisations include the North Ely Youth Centre, the National Youth Centre, Sports Council Wales, Peartree Languages and a whole host of other organisations which can be found here.

In 2010-11 the British Council worked with over 9480 UK organisations on 183 initiatives, involving a total of 167 different countries.

"The British Council does a good job in creating international opportunities for people in Cardiff West," said Kevin.

"Most of the schools in the area have benefitted from the British Council's connecting classrooms scheme which enables pupils to learn with children in other countries.

"The aim of these schemes is to try and equip young people in the UK for life in a global society and work in a global economy.

"It's pleasing to see the work they are doing in Cardiff West and I hope it will continue in the future."

Cardiff West musicians wanted to Rock the House

2012-01-18T15:39:00.002Z

Kevin Brennan MP, is urging solo-artists, bands, under-18s acts and small live music venues to enter the Parliamentary live music competition, Rock the House, which launches tonight in the House of Commons.

The top prize is the opportunity to perform at the legendary rock festival, Download. Other prizes include top of the range music equipment, photo and music video shoots, band t-shirts, artwork and the chance to build contacts with the heavy weights of the music industry.

The competition was founded in support of the UK live music sector to raise the profile of intellectual property rights issues and counts rock legends Alice Cooper and Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan as patrons.

Musicians and live music venues within the Cardiff West area can find all the forms and information on the competition at www.rockthehouse2012.com and can send in their nominations to Kevin Brennan MP at brennank@parliament.uk.

Successful nominees will go forward to the national competition which will be judged by a panel of international music industry experts and musicians and the finalists will be announced on Friday 18th May.

The finalists will take part in a battle of the bands to determine the winner on Wednesday, May 30 and the winner in each category will perform live at a final competition reception on the Terrace at the House of Commons in the evening.

"There is a wealth of musical talent in Cardiff West and this is a great opportunity for musicians to get noticed by some of the biggest names in the industry," said Kevin.

"The recognition and contacts entrants can gain from taking part is priceless and what better opportunity to be heard than in front of thousands of people at the Download music festival.

"I would urge all musicians and live music venues to fill in an application form and send it to me at brennank@parliament.uk."

Welsh cost of the UK Government's decision to axe rise in Child Tax Credits

2012-01-17T12:17:00.002Z

CARDIFF West MP, Kevin Brennan has slammed the UK Government after his research found the Con-Dem coalition’s decision to axe a scheduled rise in Child Tax Credit in 2012/13 will remove £50m from around 400,000 children in Wales

Mr Brennan asked the House of Commons library to find out the financial effect on families in Wales of the UK Government’s decision to axe the rise in Child Tax Credit.

“I was shocked and appalled to learn the UK Government’s decision to abandon the rise in Child Tax Credit will remove £50m from around 400,000 children in Wales,” said Mr Brennan.

“For this Tory-Lib Dem Government to punish hard working Welsh families while they systematically drag their feet on dealing with the problem of banker’s bonuses is quite disgraceful.

“Hard working families, families with new babies and lone parents trying to find work should not be bearing the brunt of this Government’s austerity measures.

“The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimate a family with two children will be an average of £1,250 a year worse off by 2015 because of this Government’s tax and benefit reforms.

“This kind of money may be peanuts to the millionaires in the cabinet but this is an awful lot of money to many families in Wales.”

UK Government needs to get Peacocks and lenders talking again

2012-01-16T12:29:00.001Z

Cardiff West MP, Kevin Brennan, has called on the UK Government to do all they can to not only encourage further talks between clothing chain Peacocks and its lenders but also assist the retailer to safeguard jobs.

Mr Brennan is concerned over today's news that the Cardiff-based retailer faces possible administration following a breakdown of talks between the retailer and a major bank.

Around 400 staff work at their Cardiff headquarters and hundreds more in stores across the city and south Wales.

"This is potentially a big blow to the people of Cardiff and south Wales as a whole and it would be highly damaging to the Welsh economy," said Mr Brennan.

"Peacocks has been a major employer in Cardiff for a number of years and I think everything needs to be done to try and save the business and jobs.

"I call upon the UK Government to do all they can to not only encourage further talks between the retailer and its banks and lenders but also to assist Peacocks in safeguarding jobs.

"The sooner all interested parties get round the negotiating table and come up with an agreeable solution the better."

Raising awareness of the risk of strokes

2012-01-03T14:55:00.000Z

Kevin Brennan MP for Cardiff West is supporting The Stroke Association’s campaign to encourage the nation to know more about their stroke risks.

It is estimated that 1700 people in Cardiff West are living with the after effects of a stroke, and although not all strokes can be prevented a lot can be done to minimise your risk.

Kevin Brennan MP attended a Stroke Prevention Reception hosted by The Stroke Association in the House of Commons on 13 December 2011. He commented:
“I’m delighted to support The Stroke Association and I’m encouraging everyone to know more about their stroke risks.

"A lot can be done to minimise your risk of a stroke and making a few healthy lifestyle choices such as eating a balanced diet, drinking less alcohol and taking regular exercise can all help to prevent a stroke.

“I’d like to urge everyone to make a New Year’s resolution to find out what you can do to lower your risk of having a stroke.

"Visit The Stroke Association’s website at www.stroke.org.uk or make an appointment to see your GP to assess your risk.”

Patrick Olszowski, External Affairs Manager for The Stroke Association added, “Every five minutes someone in the UK has a stroke. However a huge proportion of these strokes could be avoided if more people took action and controlled some of the major risk factors.

“High blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor, and 40% of strokes could be cut if more people had their blood pressure checked regularly.

"Many people suffer from an irregular heartbeat which can increase your risk by up to five times. Importantly, this can also be treated and your risk of stroke can be minimised.”

A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is disrupted. Stroke is the third biggest killer and the leading cause of severe disability in the UK with an estimated 150,000 people having a stroke each year. But the chances of many people having a stroke can be reduced by understanding stroke risk factors and taking action to prevent a stroke happening.

Insole Court's future looks bright

2011-12-19T11:24:00.000Z

Local MP Kevin Brennan and Mark Drakeford have expressed their delight that Insole Court in Llandaff is to receive lottery funding after backing the latter's bid by sending letters of support for the restoration plans to the Big Lottery Fund.

The award of a Heritage Lottery grant will enable restoration plans to proceed which, if approved, could unlock £1.9 million of further Heritage Lottery funding to restore the Gothic mansion to its former glory.

The £165,900 grant will allow architects to prepare detailed restoration plans to be submitted by the end of January. If approved, the restoration could be given the green light by the end of 2012.

Kevin Brennan MP said, “Local people have campaigned tirelessly over the years to secure the future of Insole Court and today’s announcement represents a huge step forward for the project.

"It is local people who have refused to allow the building to slide into further decline and decay and it is entirely fitting that that the local community should benefit most from its restoration.”

Mark Drakeford AM added, “Insole Court is an architectural treasure which now looks certain to be preserved for future generations.

"I am delighted that the plans provide for a strong element of community use including a café, nursery and centre for older people.

"The fate of Insole Court has been kept in the public eye for many years by an active local committee and they are to be congratulated for their commitment and dedication to this project.”

Super-fast broadband coming to Llandaff

2011-12-13T10:43:00.000Z

Cardiff West MP, Kevin Brennan, has called on the UK Government to provide more funding for super-fast broadband in Wales and welcomed BT'S decision to bring super-fast broadband to Llandaff.

Abergavenny, Bargoed, Briton Ferry, Caerleon, Llandaff, Mold, Morriston, Newbridge, Newport, Pontypool, Pontypridd, Prestatyn, Roath (Cardiff), Sketty, Tonypandy and Wrexham are the latest places included in the company’s £2.5 billion roll-out of fibre broadband.

"In the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, the Minister for Culture, claims Wales is ahead of Scotland and most of England in the race to roll out super-fast broadband," said Kevin.

"However Wales is receiving significantly less funding from the UK Government than England and Scotland so it is vitally important we push for Wales to receive super-fast broadband as soon as possible.

"I am delighted that Llandaff will be one of the first areas to receive this and I look forward to seeing the difference it can make to not only businesses but also schools and constituents in the area."

Llandaff will receive the super-fast broadband in 2012 as part of the latest roll out which will take the number of homes and businesses being passed by the new super-fast network in Wales to 475,000.

Robert Lloyd Griffiths, executive director of the Institute of Directors Wales, added, “This is an important announcement from BT which will have a positive impact for business in these areas across Wales.

“It gives businesses a competitive edge in today’s crowded marketplace and provides access to new markets with the potential of new jobs in challenging economic times."

WAG funding to pave the way for housing on Ely's Paper Mill site

2011-12-12T10:46:00.014Z

Cardiff West politicians Kevin Brennan MP and Mark Drakeford AM have fully welcomed the Welsh Assembly Government’s decision to heavily invest in the Ely Paper Mill site which will see the land developed for new housing and create 200 new jobs.

The Welsh Government will invest £5m this financial year and a further £1m next year to assist the remediation work on the 50-acre site to allow a partnership to deliver the housing over the next four to five years.

In a joint statement the Cardiff West politicians said:

“We fully welcome the Welsh Assembly Government’s decision to invest in the Ely Paper Mill site which will bring some much needed investment to Cardiff West.

"We have been campaigning for quality and affordable housing in Ely for a number of years which is why Cardiff Council’s decision to delay the LDP was a massive blow to people in Cardiff West.

"Thankfully the Welsh Assembly Government recognises the importance of developing the old Ely Mill paper site which will not only pave the way for affordable housing but also create 200 jobs per year.

"This significant investment will be a vital economic boost to Cardiff and we are pleased it will take place this financial year when it is most needed.”

Sad death of Reverend Bob Morgan

2011-11-23T15:23:00.000Z

I was very sad to learn of the death of Reverend Bob Morgan, the former Labour leader of South Glamorgan County Council. Bob was a legend in Ely, where his home at the Church of the Resurrection became an open house for the local community and its needs.

I had the pleasure of visiting Bob on several occasions in his retirement in Pembrokeshire, and he remained passionate about the need for social change long after he retired from front-line politics. He will be sorely missed by his wife Elaine, with whom I served on the Cardiff City Council, and by his family including Baroness Eluned Morgan, my Labour parliamentary colleague, and also by many people from the Ely Ward in Cardiff West.

Tougher regulations needed for scrap metal merchants

2011-11-18T16:46:00.000Z

Cardiff West MP, Kevin Brennan, is continuing to push for tougher rules and regulations in the scrap metal trade to clamp down on the increase in metal thefts across Britain.

Mr Brennan recently backed Graham Jones' Private Members Bill which calls on the UK Government to bring in a series of measures to deter metal thieves and ensure scrap metal merchants stick to the letter of the law.

"Several months ago I called for a change in the regulations to ensure scrap metal merchants only paid for metal via a traceable method of payment in order to easily track down thieves," said Kevin.

"Graham Jones' bill adds further measures, which I fully endorse, these include:

a more robust licensing scheme for scrap metal dealers
extra powers for the police to claim back stolen metal and search premises
powers for magistrates to restrict yards which consistently handle stolen goods from re-opening.

"Metal theft is an escalating problem which is blighting constituencies up and down the United Kingdom.

"It is no different in Cardiff West where in the last year we have seen everything from the lead stolen from the roof of Lansdowne Primary School to the fencing surrounding Plymouth Wood.

"I urge the UK Government to act now and bring in these measures which will deter people from a crime which is becomingly highly damaging to the infrastructure and services of towns and cities across Britain."

Voter suppression and the Northern Ireland anomaly

2011-11-17T12:41:00.001Z

One unforeseen consequence of the government’s shambolic Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act is the impact is likely to have on the number of MPs from Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland has already implemented individual voter registration, in place of the old system, where the ‘head of household’ was responsible for filling in the form.

One consequence of bringing in individual registration in Northern Ireland was a reduction in the number of people on the electoral role of over 10%. Some of that may have been due to inaccuracies in the previous register, but it is widely accepted that the introduction to individual registration makes it very likely that some people will not register to vote.

The Coalition government is now introducing individual voter registration at an accelerated pace for the rest of Britain, and in a disgraceful Florida-style voter suppression move, combining it with removing any penalty for failure to register to vote.

The Parliamentary Constitutional Reform Select Committee chaired by Graham Allen MP has already warned that the combination of all these changes could be a loss of 10 million voters from the electoral rolls.

In addition, the rigid boundary requirements of the Act will be reviewed every five years leading to a new calculation of the number of seats to be distributed in each of the home countries of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Why does this mean that Northern Ireland will get more seats at the expense of the rest of the UK?

Because, as SDLP MP Mark Durkan pointed out to me the other day, since Northern Ireland has already taken the hit after introducing individual voter registration its electoral rolls are unlikely to fall any further. But because the number of parliamentary seats will be calculated by those who are registered to vote, rather than by population, the number of seats distributed amongst the other three countries of the U.K. will fall.

In other words, in a few years time, even if the populations of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland were unchanged, the number of parliamentary seats in England, Wales and Scotland would be reduced to compensate for the fall in registration of those countries compared to unchanged level of registration in Northern Ireland, where individual voter registration is already in place.

I wonder if all those Tory and Lib-Dem MPs, who voted for this measure realized they were voting to get rid of some of their own seats in the near future, to give more seats to a part of the U.K., where their own parties do not return a single Westminster MP?