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Ceredigion 1950s women pensions campaign steps up a gear

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The Guildhall, Cardigan was packed last night with women from across Ceredigion, and their families, affected by the UK Government’s recent state pension changes.

Ceredigion MP Ben Lake, who organised the meeting, is backing the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign which is protesting against the changes made by the government to the state pension age, particularly affecting women born in the 1950s.

Around 5,000 women in Ceredigion who expected to retire at 60 have been told, some of whom with only 18-month’s notice, that they will have to wait up to another six years for their pension. It is estimated some women will miss out on over £40,000 in pension payments.

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Beca Lyne-Perkis cooks up some thrifty kitchen tips for Merched y Wawr

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Lucky members of Merched y Wawr from the Aberystwyth area wasted no energy devouring special savoury Welsh cakes made by Bake-off star Beca Lyne-Perkis today, with the help of a smart meter, in a demonstration of energy efficient cooking.

Beca has recently been exploring ways to save energy and money in the kitchen, with the assistance of smart meters. Smart meters come with a handy in-home display, which shows you in pounds and pence exactly how much energy you are using.

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Ben Lake MP calls on UK Government to honour promises made to west Wales

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Highlighting failures on both tidal lagoon and rail electrification investment, Ceredigion MP calls on the Prime Minister to commit to the Mid Wales Growth Deal

In Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday Ben Lake, the Member of Parliament for Ceredigion, pointed to west Wales and the Valleys’ poverty compared to other areas of western Europe. Despite being among the most impoverished areas not only of the UK, but of western Europe, the UK Government has reneged on investment pledges made to Wales; on development of the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon and the electrification of the north Wales line as well as the mainline to Swansea. 

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Ben Lake MP backs campaign to curb pavement parking

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Ben Lake MP has met with representatives from the charity Guide Dogs to lend his support to their campaign pressing the UK Government to introduce new laws to tackle inconsiderate pavement parking on high streets.

Recent statistics from the charity show that 97% of blind and partially sighted people experience problems with street clutter, including wheelie bins, advertising boards, and especially cars parked on pavements. Such obstacles can cause particular danger to blind, and partially sighted individuals, who are often forced to risk their lives by walking onto the road just to get by.

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MP tables Early Day Motion to congratulate University success

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Ben Lake MP has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) at Westminster to congratulate Aberystwyth University on their recent achievement of a Gold Award in the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF).

The University achieved the TEF’s top rating for delivering consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for students, of the highest quality found in the UK.

The TEF was set up by the Westminster Government to recognise excellent teaching in UK higher education providers by rating them as Gold, Silver or Bronze, with ratings judged by an independent panel of students, academics and other experts.

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365 days since being elected as MP for Ceredigion

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Today marks a year since Ben Lake was elected as MP for Ceredigion - and what a year it's been!

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Ben Lake MP joins forces with Which? to end rip-off overdraft fees

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Ben Lake MP has joined forces with consumer champion, Which?, and over 80 fellow parliamentarians in signing a letter asking for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to bring an end to rip-off overdraft fees.

The Plaid Cymru Member of Parliament is concerned that residents in Ceredigion might still be paying excessive fees on unarranged overdrafts, some of which may still cost over seven times more than a payday loan according to new research from Which?

Despite scrutiny from the regulator, Ben Lake MP feels not enough has been done to protect consumers from these sky-high fees.

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Ceredigion MP tables motion to celebrate Cwmni Cletwr's fifth birthday

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Ben Lake MP has tabled an Early Day Motion at Westminster to congratulate Cwmni Cletwr on its fifth anniversary.

Cwmni Cymunedol Cletwr is a community-owned business which opened its doors in 2013, a couple of years after the original family-owned garage and village shop closed. The business has since grown from strength to strength; in 2017 the shop and cafe moved to a new purpose-built premises, and has developed into a vital community hub providing a varied programme of events, talks, and classes all-year round.

The business is run by a combination of paid staff and a large pool of volunteers, and the project is constantly responding to new opportunities and listening to the needs of the local community. The business plays a vital role in tackling the growing problem of rural poverty and social isolation, whilst also providing local employment and volunteering opportunities for young people.

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AM welcomes £27 million extra funding for Hywel Dda Health Board

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Welsh Government confirm the extra funding to in order to fill historical underpayment

Elin Jones, Assembly Member for Ceredigion, has welcomed the decision to award £27 million of extra funding to Hywel Dda Health Board, following a review into the excess costs put on the health board due to the unique circumstances of the region that it covers.

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Jobs and economic opportunities top priorities for the future of Tregaron

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Elin Jones AM & Ben Lake MP hold public meeting at Tregaron to discuss challenges and opportunities facing town

A public meeting organised by Elin Jones AM and Ben Lake MP identified the need for jobs and economic development as top priorities for the future of Tregaron.

The meeting was held on Thursday 24th of May 2018 at the Memorial Hall in Tregaron, and gave residents and businesses the opportunity to voice their views and concerns on both the challenges facing the town, and the opportunities for development over the coming years.

Tregaron, like many other towns across Ceredigion and west Wales has faced increased challenges over the recent years, and the public meeting followed on from a similar event organised by the AM and MP in Llandysul in late 2017.

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Elin Jones and Ben Lake work for everyone who lives in Ceredigion. Show your support and help them in their work to ensure a better Ceredigion, today.

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