By Mark Isherwood

MS for North Wales

In an Emergency Question to the First Minister on the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, I welcomed the extension of the UK Government Family Scheme to help 200,000 or more Ukrainian refugees and called for the Welsh Government to enable and encourage local authorities to provide support to refugees.

Speaking in the debate on Eating Disorders, I called for the Welsh Government to establish targets and publish monthly statistics on waiting times for mental health treatment, including issues such as eating disorders.

I also referred to my meeting with eating disorder charity Beat’s National Officer Wales in early January and our discussions on the need to strengthen the connection between eating disorder services and other specialist services including Autism and Diabetes.

Questioning the Deputy Minister for Climate Change on Transport Infrastructure in Alyn and Deeside, I quoted statements by the ‘Growth Track 360’ partnership - including the North Wales Economic Ambition Board and the Mersey Dee Alliance – that being able to link into the HS2 railway line would reduce congestion and attract investment and jobs, and that they welcomed January’s introduction of the UK High-Speed (Crewe - Manchester) Bill), to facilitate the construction of HS2, with confirmed plans including the new junction north of Crewe station they had called for.

Although Sir Peter Hendy’s Union Connectivity Review in November, carried out for the UK Government, recognised North Wales and North West England as a highly integrated cross-border economy that will benefit from a programme of transport improvements, the Deputy Minister refused to recognise the opportunities for the region.

Intervening during debate on the Legislative Consent Motion on the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, I challenged the Welsh Government after members spent time arguing and voting against things which I stated are “no longer in this legislation and cannot be included within it”.

Engagements included a training session with Carers Wales to become “Carer Aware”; the inaugural meeting of the Cross-Party Group on Liver Disease and Liver Cancer; Womenspire Awards 2022 launch; ‘Asthma + Lung UK Cymru’ launch; the Ynys Mon, Denbighshire & Flintshire Citizens Advice and Warm Wales Energy Summit; and a meeting as Chair of the Cross-Party Group on Disability with the Group’s Secretary.

I also attended the St David’s Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast 2022 International Reception and Breakfast, and the launch of the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) appeal in response to the escalating humanitarian situation in the Ukraine and bordering countries. Please donate to the appeal: https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal.

If you need my help, email Mark.Isherwood@senedd.wales or call 0300 200 7219.