Plaid Cymru Ceredigion Your representatives in Ceredigion

On Saturday 29^th 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.

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”.

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.

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. 

At the launch of an exhibition refugees from Ceredigion were a central part of the St David’s Day celebrations at the Senedd. 

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. 

Rejoining single market must be considered as part of a ‘rational and pragmatic approach’ to food supply issues – Ben Lake MP

Plaid Cymru agriculture spokesperson in Westminster, Ben Lake MP, has urged the UK Government and opposition to recognise the “undeniable” impact of Brexit on the UK’s food supply.

68% of Welsh households could be in fuel poverty from April unless Chancellor postpones planned rise – Plaid Cymru

Plaid Cymru Treasury spokesperson, Ben Lake MP, has written to the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt MP, warning of “devastating consequences for families across Wales” unless the planned sharp rise to domestic energy bills is postponed.

The publication of the Road Review by Lee Waters MS at the Senedd yesterday brings a rethink on road investment in Ceredigion.