By Mark Tami, MP for Alyn and Deeside

As the cold January weather hits, Covid-19 vaccinations are now gaining pace in Alyn and Deeside. Thank you to all of the volunteers helping with the vaccination roll out program.

This winter, the Jo Cox Foundation’s campaign to end loneliness has never been more important. I support the ‘Great Winter Get Together’ campaign and this week’s agenda of raising awareness and reducing the stigma around loneliness.

I had a productive catch up with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board alongside other North Wales MPs and MSs. This included health updates and strategy in the coming weeks. I welcome the momentum the Welsh vaccination program is gaining and encourage all those in priority groups to keep watching for their letters in the post.

I was pleased to join with the chairs of all the cancer APPGs to discuss our shared plans, as well as my aims as the Chair for Parliament's Stem Cell APPG. I am committed to further Stem cell research and improving patient outcomes in Stem cell transplantations. Stem cell transplants save lives. You can join the donor register online on the Anthony Nolan website.

The leaseholder reforms announced take strides in updating the leaseholder system based on the Law Commission’s recommendations. There is still work to be done though, with the proposed reforms currently giving little insight into how they will work in practice, and the extent to which the Welsh Government will be able to extend them. I welcome the Government to share more details into the technical details and time frames of these reforms.

Across the Atlantic, I was appalled with the disgraceful attacks on the US capitol from armed Trump supporters. The rioting was a shocking sight, and I was disappointed by a few Conservative Party members' responses comparing it to peaceful protests in the UK.

The Jo Cox Foundation exists due to the actions of a domestic extremist and emphasises the need for peaceful political discussion centred on respect. I condemn the actions of those responsible.

The FCC is recruiting contact tracers to help track people who may have been exposed to the virus. This will include contacting and warning people, enable them to isolate to prevent the infection of loved ones. Thank you to all the current volunteers and I encourage anybody with the time, to sign up.

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