Having campaigned for many years, alongside Labour colleagues, for the Government to act on the Severn Bridge tolls, this week’s news that the tolls will be scrapped by the end of 2018 is welcome. For far too long, commuters and businesses in Newport East have had to absorb the extortionate toll charges and I will ensure the Tory Government is scrutinised, that we have a timetable for the bridges returning to public ownership, and that the tolls really are scrapped.

It’s welcome news that CAF has chosen to create 300 high-skilled manufacturing jobs in Newport East. The Spanish train manufacturer will be opening a new factory at Celtic Business Park in autumn 2018, having chosen Newport over a number of other sites across the UK because of our engineering skills base. With global companies like Tata Steel and Liberty Steel already located in this area, this sends a positive message that Newport is open to the world for investment. Great credit must go to Newport City Council and the Welsh Government for their efforts in securing these new jobs for Newport – a real example of the difference a positive economic strategy can make.

A number of constituents have already been in touch to ask about how they can apply for a job at CAF, and I look forward to hearing from the company about their plans for recruitment.

Meanwhile the fight goes on to protect our civil service jobs in Newport in light of the UK Government’s plan to relocate the functions of the Newport DWP service centre to a potential new site in Treforest near Pontypridd.

This move would have a huge impact on staff, with many of the workforce using public transport. 212 staff work at the Sovereign House office in Newport City Centre, delivering support and benefit processing services to members of the public claiming ESA and PIP.

Paul Flynn MP and I met with the UK Government Employment Minister last week, and we made the case that a move would risk losing expertise and experience that has been built up in Newport over decades. Paul and I will continue to work with the PCS union to call on the Government to rethink their proposal.

There has been much discussion on funding for Wales since we’ve returned to Parliament due to the Tory Government’s £1 billion deal with the DUP. I have questioned Ministers in Parliament on the need for extra UK Government spending in Wales given ambitious Welsh Government proposals. If the Barnett formula was applied to the deal then Wales should be receiving over £1.67 billion extra over five years.