Assembly Voice

THE Foundational Economy is the sector of the Welsh economy that we see around us in our everyday lives, including the retail, food and utility industries, but also infrastructure and key public services such as health, education and care.

Two out of every five jobs in Wales are in the Foundational Economy and it is critical to ensuring our future economic prosperity.

With this in mind, I tabled a motion in the Assembly with three of my Labour colleagues noting the potential of the Foundational Economy to our communities and calling on the Welsh Government to maximise its impact by placing the Foundational Economy at the heart of a renewed economic strategy, that also includes measures to improve employment conditions in these sectors.

With walking being the most accessible form of exercise, if we could encourage citizens we would not only improve their health but also reduce the £314m that physical inactivity costs our economy every year.

On St David’s Day, Ramblers Cymru launched its 10-year vision to get more people in Wales walking.

I spoke about this in the Assembly, and also congratulated Tracy Purnell of Mountain Ash who has become Ordnance Survey Champion 2017.

Tracy’s role is to encourage people to join her on local walks to improve their physical and mental well-being – here in Cynon Valley we are blessed with many excellent walks.

When it comes to accessing the right source of healthcare, there are lots of choices, so it is important we know which is best.

I recently visited Hope Pharmacy in Mountain Ash to talk about the Choose Pharmacy scheme, piloted here in the Cwm Taf area.

This directs people to a pharmacist if they are affected by ailments such as ear infections.

I also joined Health Secretary Vaughan Gething at the Ambulance base in Aberaman to find out more about their Community Paramedic Pathfinder initiative.

Both services can help relieve pressure from GPs and hospitals.