Ben Lake MP accuses UK Government of setting back climate action as wind project dealt a major blow
UK Government's poor planning derails Pembrokeshire floating wind project
Plaid Cymru’s environment spokesperson in Westminster, Ben Lake MP, has today (Friday 8 September) warned that the Conservative UK Government is “setting back our climate efforts” after having failed to secure “an invaluable opportunity that could boost the economy of southwest Wales”.
Cheaper and cleaner energy? Putting power in the hands of our communities is the answer according to Ben Lake MP
Ben Lake has called for community energy schemes to be allowed to sell power directly to local customers.
Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar generate electricity across Wales. Organisations and local volunteers often run community energy schemes, but it is currently impossible for the electricity to be bought directly even when produced locally. Instead, it must be acquired through utility companies connected to the National Grid. Ben Lake MP calls for more rights for such schemes to supply local consumers with electricity that they can buy directly from their local area.
Ben Lake MP calls for urgent review of Mileage Allowance Payments
The MP for Ceredigion has put forward a parliamentary motion calling on the UK Government to urgently review Mileage Allowance Payments and to abolish the cap which sees drivers receive a reduced rate if they drive over 10,000 miles in the tax year.
Approved mileage rates are set by HMRC, but there is currently no specific calculation involved in setting out these rates. The UK Government has said the rates are a policy decision taken after considering issues including the cost of motoring, the cost to the public purse of changing the rate, and the overall fiscal position.
Approved mileage rates have not been updated since 2011 and Plaid Cymru argues that these rates should be urgently reviewed, given the significant rise in motoring costs, fuel costs and vehicle maintenance costs in recent years.
Aberystwyth-Shrewsbury line ‘no better than a cattle truck’
Ceredigion MP questions Transport for Wales boss on rail services in mid-Wales
Plaid Cymru MP for Ceredigion, Ben Lake, has described the Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury service as “no better than a cattle truck” during a questioning session with the Transport for Wales (TfW) chief executive, James Price.
During a session of the Welsh Affairs Committee in Westminster, Ben Lake asked James Price if he was confident a plan for hourly services between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury by March 2024 could be achieved.
Elin Jones MS supports Save our Surgeries event at the Senedd
Elin Jones MS was pleased to attend an event discussing the future of Ceredigion GP surgeries with the British Medical Association (BMA) recently at the Senedd.
Elin Jones welcomes Ceredigion Royal Welsh to the Senedd
At the launch of this year’s Royal Welsh Show at the Senedd recently, Elin Jones MS was pleased to welcome representatives of the Ceredigion 2024 Committee to the event.
Plaid Cymru MP ‘thrilled’ to join UK Parliament’s influential spending watchdog
Plaid Cymru MP for Ceredigion, Ben Lake, will today (Monday 3 July) attend his first session as full member of the influential Public Accounts Committee.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), is the oldest and widely regarded as the most influential committee of backbench MPs currently in the House of Commons.
Ben Lake MP joins calls for greater support for unpaid carers during Carers Week 2023
Ben Lake MP has reiterated his support for unpaid carers during a parliamentary debate in Westminster calling for greater financial and practical support.
Broadway Partners calls in administrators jeopardising broadband projects in north Ceredigion
Alternative network operator, Broadway Partners, has called in the administrators. The company had been aspiring to deploy their own gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises network across the north of Ceredigion after engaging with local communities for over 2 years.
Under the UK Government’s Gigabit Voucher Scheme, Broadway Partners was aiming to connect approximately 11,500 premises across Ceredigion and Powys to its new full fibre network. The communities in Ceredigion that Broadway Partners had been working with include both Ceulan a Maesmawr and Melindwr wards, but to date no properties have been connected.
‘Give Wales a say in future trade deals’ – Plaid Cymru
Plaid Cymru’s agriculture spokesperson in Westminster, Ben Lake MP has today (Wednesday 31 May) raised concerns over the negative impact of the UK-Australia and UK-New Zealand trade deals on the Welsh economy.
With the agreements coming into force at midnight, Mr Lake has urged the UK Government to involve the devolved nations in future trade deals given UK ministers’ “evident failure to champion the interests of the Welsh economy”.