April 2008
I recently attended Dyffryn Comprehensive School's outstanding performance of 'Me and My Girl'. I wrote to Mr Martin Grimes, the Headteacher to congratulate the pupils and teachers. It was a very proud evening for the parents and the school governors.
I know Dyffryn is very representative of all schools in our local communities. There is a high standard in the performing arts and that is why I have had many discussions in recent years with Swansea University, the BBC and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council about the best way to foster this local talent. I have used the memory of Richard Burton to focus attention on what can be achieved.
When I heard that Swansea University's consultants had recommended that its new second campus will be largely based within Neath Port Talbot I saw that as another positive indication of how the Council and the University are joining together for the benefit of the local community. Add to this the Council's strong support for the recent Amazon Development – which will be quite near to the new campus – and we have very exciting and hopeful opportunities for our young people.
Leaders of our local authority have often referred to the need to build a 'learning corridor' around Swansea Bay by linking the University with Neath and Port Talbot. These recent positive developments will go a long way towards achieving such an important skills building-block for the future.
The Government recently announced the launch of the Employment and Support Allowances as a replacement for Incapacity Benefit in order to help people back into employment. In my time in Parliament I have been associated with campaigns for carers and people with learning difficulties especially to help them get decent employment opportunities. The Government is right to say that work is the best route out of poverty and gives people independence over their lives.
I shall be working with local carers and disabilities organisations as well as Job Centre Plus to ensure that the recent Government changes will result in better job opportunities for these groups.
Finally I hope everyone who has a vote will use it on 1st May. Chartists and Suffragettes fought and died to give us this right.
