PARLIAMENT has been in recess and I have been taking the chance to visit schools across my constituency, catching up with head teachers, staff and pupils.

These are always very enjoyable, informative visits where I often get some of the toughest questions from students.

It is good to see that Blaenau Gwent has such a bright and confident set of young people attending our ever-improving schools.

The big issue I have been attending to in recent weeks is anti-social behaviour in Tredegar.

The problem of ‘boy racers’ and general anti-social behaviour in and around the town centre was brought to my attention by some local Labour councillors and a constituent recently.

Since then more and more people have spoken out about how their lives are being adversely affected by cars being driven at very high speeds in the area, and issues such as music being played loudly into the night and other associated nuisance behaviour.

I have been informed by Gwent Police that plans to tackle this activity are in motion and will continue to support any action taken.

Also during the recess I attended a very successful Labour party conference in Liverpool.

My personal highlights included a very well-received speech from John McDonnell about ending the Treasury’s bias towards London and the south east and making sure Wales and other regions get the support and resources they need.

We also saw a strong commitment from Keir Starmer that Labour will hold the government to account and insist on a Brexit deal that protects jobs and the economy and meets our six tests.

Along with lots of other important policy announcements, such as increasing police numbers, it was very good to see Jeremy Corbyn commit to backing the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon and reversing the Tory Government’s shameful decision to reject it.

This project would be a massive boost for south Wales and it deserves the support of the UK Government.

Mr Corbyn gave a very strong speech and set out how a Labour Government would set things right and repair the damage done by eight years of Tory rule.

The key messages were that we need a Labour Government to stand up for working people, to protect our public services and to fight for a Brexit that works for Blaenau Gwent, Wales and Britain.

We will be working hard to make this happen.