Westminster exhibition tells the story of refugees who have sought sanctuary in Wales
An exhibition sponsored by Ben Lake MP showcasing the stories of refugees in Wales has gone on display in Westminster this week.
‘Refugees from National Socialism in Wales: learning from the past for the future’ has been co-curated by Dr Andrea Hammel and Dr Morris Brodie from Aberystwyth University’s Centre for the Movement of People, together with refugees and those who are assisting refugees with resettlement in Wales.
Ben Lake MP supports Alzheimer’s Society during Dementia Action Week
As part of Dementia Action Week (15-21 May), Ben Lake MP attended a Parliamentary reception hosted by Alzheimer’s Society where he found out that, unlike in England, NHS Wales doesn’t publish a dementia diagnosis rate.
Ben Lake MP has lent his support to the charity’s Dementia Action Week campaign on the importance of dementia diagnosis. The tagline “It’s not called getting old, it’s called getting ill” encourages people worried about their own or a loved one’s memory, to seek support in getting a diagnosis using a ‘symptoms checklist’. This is available on Alzheimer’s Society’s online hub at www.alzheimers.org.uk/memoryloss.
Ben Lake MP backs Community Energy Bill in Parliament
Ben Lake, MP for Ceredigion recently participated in the Second Reading of the Government’s Energy Bill and spoke in favour of new rules to enable clean community energy generation.
Ceredigion MP ‘in awe’ of local WASPI campaigners
On Saturday 29th April 1950s born women from all over Ceredigion attended the first general meeting of the local Women Against State Pension Injustice (WASPI) Campaign since lockdown. They were eager to hear news about their claim for compensation for the lack of notice they had that their state pensions had been delayed by six years.
The meeting was addressed by Ben Lake MP and Pamela Judge, Ceredigion WASPI Campaign Joint Co-ordinator and member of WASPI’s national Steering Group.
'It's time for the super rich to pay their fair share' - Plaid Cymru
Inequality during cost-of-living crisis requires fundamental rethink of tax system - Ben Lake MP
Plaid Cymru have tabled an amendment to the Finance Bill which calls for gains made from investments to be taxed in line with income.
The amendment would require the UK Government to present proposals for a Tax Reform Commission, in consultation with the devolved governments, to examine fairer ways of raising taxes in the UK. The party’s Treasury spokesperson, Ben Lake MP, said that under the current system, “the super-rich play by different rules to the rest of us”, with the gains made from investments “taxed at a lower rate compared to income derived from hard work”.
Chancellor opting for the 'status-quo' in Budget
Significant gaps in Budget on digital connectivity, transport, energy and R&D
Responding to the Spring Budget, Plaid Cymru Treasury spokesperson Ben Lake MP said:
“The extension of the Energy Price Guarantee to July will prevent a further increase to energy bills in April, but it is disappointing that the Chancellor failed to extend the Energy Bills Support Scheme or the Alternative Fuel Payments in today’s Budget. By opting for the status quo, the Chancellor has missed an opportunity to offer much needed support to off-grid households, and families that are already struggling with higher living costs.
Ben Lake MP encourages constituents to contact their electricity supplier if they haven't received their Alternative Fuel Payment
The Alternative Fuel Payment portal for all off-gas grid premises who have not received their £200 payment automatically has opened this week for applications.
All off-gas grid premises who use alternative sources of fuel to heat their properties are eligible for the Alternative Fuel Payment.
Elin Jones calls on Health Board to open a Rapid Diagnosis Centre in Bronglais
Whilst acknowledging that the Health Board has opened a Rapid Diagnosis Centre in Llanelli, Elin Jones is calling on Hywel Dda Health Board to open a centre in Bronglais, in order to improve accessibility for urgent diagnosis for residents of Ceredigion and mid Wales.
A Saint David’s Day to remember at the Senedd
At the launch of an exhibition refugees from Ceredigion were a central part of the St David’s Day celebrations at the Senedd.
Ben Lake MP calls on UK Government to target connectivity black spots
In Wales, approximately 10,000 premises remain without decent broadband and 10% of the country’s landmass remains without 4G coverage compared with 8% of the UK as a whole and these connectivity black spots are even more abundant in the rural counties of Ceredigion and Powys.
Ben Lake MP highlighted these issues during Welsh Questions this week, calling on the UK Government to prioritise those communities in Ceredigion, without decent broadband connection and poor mobile phone coverage, when it comes to the next phase of Project Gigabit – communities such as Lledrod, Pennant, Talgarreg, Cribyn, Abermeurig, Sarnau and Coedybryn.