Heledd Fychan Canol De Cymru - South Wales Central

I was proud to sponsor the Trussell Trust Food Bank at the Senedd today. While we continue to campaign for a future without food banks, they provide essential support to individuals and families in Wales. 

Poverty is a political choice, and we need to see both the UK and Welsh Government take action to ensure no one needs a food bank. Let's prioritise people.

What a fantastic way to start the school day!

Thank you to Trallwng Primary school for the invitation to take part in their Daily Mile walk. This amazing programme encourages children to be active and start the day on a positive note. It was inspiring to see how excited and energetic the students were ready for the rest of the school day. They also won an award for their commitment to the Daily Mile. Da iawn pawb!

Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for South Wales Central, yesterday (Wednesday 26th) called on the Welsh Government for immediate action to address the issues caused by quarrying in Craig yr Hesg.

The Craig yr Hesg Quarry, operated by Heidelberg Materials and located near Pontypridd and Glyncoch, has been a significant point of contention for local residents. The community has persistently voiced their opposition to its continued operation and planned expansion but despite this, the Welsh Government ignored objections by the local community and Rhondda Cynon Taf council and granted permission for the quarrying to continue and expand. 

“We expect it from the Tories of course, but Labour too have seemingly turned their back on devolution and the will of the Senedd” says Plaid Cymru

Plaid Cymru are today (Wednesday 26 June 2024) laying a motion before the Senedd calling to abolish the role of the Secretary for State for Wales, instead stating that its functions should be transferred to the Welsh Government.

The UK Conservative Government have long attacked devolution, using the office of Secretary of State to question the will of the Senedd. Plaid Cymru says this is set to continue under a UK Labour Government, and have called the role outdated.

Last week, in an interview with S4C programme Y Byd yn ei Le, the Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, dismissed the will of the Senedd and showed a contemptuous attitude towards devolution. During the interview, Stevens denied HS2’s existence and thus the £4bn owed to Wales, and ridiculed the devolution of justice and policing to Wales as “fiddling around with structures and systems.”

My name is Maël, I am a 22 year old MA student at the University of Bath. I was born in Brussels and have lived there my whole life but my Dad is Welsh and part of my heart has always been here, in Wales. My short work experience with Heledd was my first time working in the Senedd – something I have wanted to do for a while now – and I am lucky to have done it in her office. My time here was in the midst of a turbulent time for the Senedd but despite this rather stressful period, Heledd and Brooke were both helpful, friendly, and great to work with. I had the opportunity to see Heledd’s work from the inside: seeing her passion and her determination and just her day-to-day work such as scrutinising the Welsh government, meeting with interest groups, and working in committees. I also was able to contribute to her work as an MS by helping with her communication strategy and briefing Heledd on two important policy issues for her.

In a recent question to the Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Transport Ken Skates, Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for South Wales Central Heledd Fychan raised concerns about passenger safety, station cleanliness, and the availability of toilet facilities on the new fleet of South Wales Metro.

In response to MS Fychans Question, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport acknowledged the issues and committed to addressing them in upcoming discussions with Transport for Wales. He affirmed the importance of providing safe, clean stations and adequate toilet facilities, especially for women and disabled passengers.

Today, a majority of Senedd Members supported a no confidence motion in Vaughan Gething, the First Minister of Wales. This vote shows there are serious concerns about his leadership.

As many of you will be aware at the beginning of this month Plaid Cymru ended its Cooperation Agreement with the Labour Welsh Government.  I’m proud of what was achieved through the Co-operation agreement over the last two years such as free school meals for all primary school pupils, expanding the free childcare offer for thousands more families, taking action to address the housing crisis, steps to safeguard the Welsh Language and more. We will always cooperate when we can to deliver for our communities. But the time has come for the agreement to end. Since taking over as First Minister Vaughan Gething already took the decision to delay important policies such as council tax reform which was supposed to support the poorest families in our community. He has also lost the trust of myself and many others by failing to pay back the £200,000 donation to his leadership campaign from a company convicted of environmental offences. We need a Welsh Government we can trust and myself and my colleagues in Plaid Cymru we will continue to hold the Welsh Government to account on every decision.

Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymru spokesperson for Education has written urgently to the Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Education, calling for an emergency review into the state of higher education in Wales, following concerning reports from Aberystwyth and Cardiff Universities about financial pressures that could lead to job losses.