Huge challenges make it all the more important to find solutions together

IHAVE been privileged to be the Member of the Senedd for Arfon for nearly six years.

These have been turbulent years with Brexit and the implications for Wales a major feature of the first half of my time in the Senedd and dealing with the Covid pandemic dominating the second half.

We now face an escalating global crisis following Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and an energy / cost of living crisis at home. It is difficult to keep positive faced with such immense challenges, but I am determined that we continue to focus on finding solutions.

That needs to happen at all levels.

At Westminster my friend Hywel Williams MP and the other Plaid representatives are doing their utmost to call out the callous actions of the UK Government whilst offering credible solutions.

At a local level, it is encouraging to see communities coming together in the face of mounting challenges – organising food share schemes, charity shops, local green energy initiatives, taking care of the most vulnerable in our midst in a positive show of local solidarity.

In the Senedd, we have been looking for solutions for some of the most pressing matters – child poverty, the lack of social care and the housing crisis.

I have been privileged to be working with the Welsh Government on behalf of Plaid Cymru on a range of important issues since the Co-Operation Agreement was announced last December.

An historic and ambitious programme, it covers 46 policy areas to change the lives of the people of Wales for the better – including providing free school meals for all primary school pupils; radical first steps to tackle the second homes crisis; and Senedd reform.

I am pleased to update you with progress on some of the key commitments in the Agreement including:

£200 million for free school meals for all primary school children – including an extra £20 million to extend free school meals over the summer holidays this year

Initial and radical steps to tackle the housing crisis

£60 million to begin expanding free childcare for 2 year olds

Sustainable tourism – consultation on a levy

Free Welsh lessons for 16-25 year olds (and teaching staff)

Expert group to look at national care service

£6 million to Ynni Cymru, a national energy company

Major investment in flood protection schemes

Working together in a positive manner is the way to tackle the huge challenges facing Wales today – it is imperative that the focus remains firmly on making a difference, finding solutions and keeping positive despite all the problems.