How I stood up for Swansea in June

Over the past few months, I’ve been working hard locally and in Parliament to deliver for our city – from securing major investment in Swansea’s future, to making sure residents voices are heard on some of the most important national debates and supporting constituents resolve problems.

In this newsletter, you’ll find updates on some of that work, including progress on revitalising our city, campaigns to protect children growing up in the online world, and what I’m doing in Parliament to deliver secure jobs and help with the cost of living.

There’s a lot going on in national politics at the moment. Rest assured that, whatever happens in Westminster, I’m staying focused on the issues that matter most to people in Swansea West. It’s a privilege to serve as your MP, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to build a stronger future for our city.

As always, if there is something I can help with just get in touch with me at torsten.bell.mp@parliament.uk.

All the best,
Torsten

Progress for Swansea’s Gateway Communities

I want to make sure no part of our city gets ignored. And it’s hard to argue with the view of some residents of the neighbourhoods just north of the city centre that they have too often been forgotten. So I have fought hard to secure £20 million Pride in Place funding from the UK Government, that will be invested over the next ten years to revitalise what is often the gateway into our city, stretching across Brynmelyn, Waun Wen, North Hill, Dyfatty and Hafod.

How the money gets spent is down to local residents to decide. To help get people involved in those decisions we’ve appointed, Thom Lynch, co-founder of award-winning local charity Matthews House, to chair the Neighbourhood Board overseeing this important programme. This is a big opportunity for the city and I know this investment can make a real difference to people’s lives. I would strongly encourage residents, community groups and local organisations to get involved.

Making sure Swansea has its say in social media debate

It was fantastic to see so much engagement from parents and community members across Swansea in the national debate on how we protect children online, and in particular in their use of social media. I’d like to thank every one of the hundreds of people who wrote to me on this issue – which was more than did so on any other issue. To make sure Swansea’s voice was been heard loud and clear I organised a public meeting at the Guildhall and a survey where people could set out their views. Thanks you to everyone for their thoughtful and considered contributions to this debate.

There was a range of views of course, but overwhelmingly Swansea backs a ban on social media for under-16s. I fed that in to the UK Government’s consultation and as you will have heard the view of most residents in Swansea is now being implemented across the country. Many of us already know how much we’d have missed out on as a teenager if the time and attention sink of social media had got in the way. I know I’m joined by parents across our community in welcoming that the time for action is finally here.

Standing up to the Welsh Rugby Union

Earlier this year, the future of the Ospreys looked uncertain. Simply disgraceful proposals from the WRU could have seen professional rugby swiftly disappear from Swansea. I was proud to back a huge campaign by supporters, clubs and communities across the region, and as I’m sure you’ve seen, the WRU backed down. The Ospreys have just secured a new four-year funding agreement with the WRU, and if you drive along the sea-front you’ll see diggers in action at St Helens - the exciting redevelopment of the new home for the Ospreys is now underway.

It’s a reminder of what can be achieved when people come together and make their voices heard. There is still work to do to secure the club’s long-term future, but this spring was a major victory for Swansea and Welsh rugby.

Meeting constituents across Swansea

As well as big campaigns, a lot of my work involves sitting down with people over a cuppa and having a chat. I always look forward to my regular coffee mornings, which take place all over Swansea. They give me the chance to hear so many thoughtful views about the challenges facing Swansea, as well as the best bits about living here – unbeatable natural surroundings, community and culture.

My most recent drop-ins have been at the Deers Leap in Morriston, Brynmenlyn Community Centre and Sketty Community Centre, and I’ll be at St James Church Hall on 11 July. Come along if you’re available – just email torsten.bell.mp@parliament.uk to reserve a seat. If you can’t make it, don’t worry. There’s plenty more of these to come.

Standing Up for Swansea in Parliament

I was elected to stand up for the things that really matter to households in Swansea: secure jobs and help with the cost of living. I’ve been working hard in Parliament to deliver on these priorities.

This spring, I was proud to have helped the Labour government bring in the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights of my lifetime. For the first time in history low earners will be entitled to sick pay – so they are no longer forced to work when they’re unwell. The law will also mean no-one can be forced onto a zero-hour contract when they are in practice working regular hours. We boosted wages and brought down living costs, raising the National Living Wage to £12.71 and taking £150 off household energy bills. And, as a result of one simple piece of legislation, this Parliament will see the largest fall in child poverty of any on record. That matters for our city, in which 1 in 4 kids are currently growing up in poverty.

These changes, along with stronger rights for renters and big cuts to NHS waiting lists, will be looked back on as some of the highlights of Keir Starmer’s legacy. What happens next is a matter of process as the Labour Party chooses a new leader, but I’ll be keeping my focus on what matters to people in Swansea: delivering the change I was elected to deliver.

Fighting for Residents in Swansea

Standing up for people in Swansea West is my top priority as your MP. Since the start of this year, I’ve stepped in to help people with almost 1,000 issues, from dealing with noisy neighbours to speeding up frustrating delays. Here are some ways I’ve been able to help people recently:

• Unpaid carers do incredible work in often demanding circumstances. When a woman in Swansea was facing long delays getting support she was entitled to, I intervened. Not only was her Carer’s Allowance finally awarded, it was backdated to when the trouble began.

• We’ve all experienced soaring energy bills in the past few years. But one family in Morriston saw theirs rocket even further, when an energy giant mistakenly listed their home as a business. As they were threatened with bailiffs, I stepped in. The charges were removed and the family saved hundreds of pounds.

• Noisy neighbours aren’t just a nuisance – they can cause serious distress. When one resident was being plagued by noise issues from a nearby business, I was pleased to step in and see action taken to restore the peace.

As always, if there’s something I can help you with just get in touch by emailing torsten.bell.mp@parliament.uk.