THE campaign to support women facing changes to their state pension ages continues.

I’ve been working alongside fellow MPs to try and improve the transition arrangements for changes to state pensions.

Recently I’ve been hosting coffee mornings in the constituency to talk to those affected and what can be done for those women who suddenly found out they would be waiting more than a year longer for pensions.

The thing many people unaffected may not realise is how it isn’t just a case of hanging on in work a bit longer – entire life plans are built around retirement and the delays can cause real hardship to many.

The fight will be continuing in Westminster as the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaigners have secured funding for their legal campaign against the Government.

In other local news, the problem of off-road biking has once again reared its head on the mountains over Blaina and Nantyglo (and plenty of other areas I’m reliably told).

Legal off-road biking is no problem. What is a problem is up to 80 or more people descending on common land, churning up the countryside, worrying livestock and sometimes abandoning stolen vehicles.

It’s complicated and will involve lots of concerted action to address the issue. So in recent weeks I’ve been talking to the police, council and other agencies to find a way forward.

One type of transport I’m all for, however, is the electrification of the London to Swansea line.

It unlocks South Wales, enhances our local links and boosts the South Wales Metro plans to make the whole region accessible and attractive.

So when the chairman of Network Rail says there is no funding commitment from the Government for the Cardiff to Swansea stretch, you start to worry.

I’ve been pushing for electrification of the Valleys line for a number of years because a faster service with more trains means more chance of communities being able to grow and thrive nearby.

We need to maximise this link to give Gwent the best chances possible – not just concentrate funding in the richer parts of Britain.

Finally, it was lovely to support the Oliver King Foundation in Parliament in their bid to make defibrillators available across our communities.

On a visit to Tredegar’s Deighton Primary I saw they had one and it’s a small initiative that could make a very real difference one day to someone’s life.