The people of Islwyn are rightly proud of the pro-active nature of their Welsh Labour Government in moving decisively to support Hawkey Siddeley Switchgear, with half a million pounds of investment, to relocate within the constituency of Islwyn from their current site in Pontllanfraith to the former British Airways interiors seat assembly factory in nearby Blackwood.

The reaction to the government’s action to support a company that has been anchored within Islwyn for 80 years has been tremendous.

The First Minister personally visited Risca in Islwyn during the Senedd election campaign as did the Economy Minister who visited with me in Cross Keys. Both of them, delivered the message that the Welsh Labour Government would help me in Putting Islwyn First.

Two months after the UK government stated projects which had been approved would be announced — there has been silence.

The local authority area of Caerphilly is excluded from the priority funding list in favour of richer English areas, even though the communities of Islwyn, have some high areas of deprivation.

So far all that I can see that has been achieved is the re-naming of the UK’s Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Accompanied with the sacking of lead Minister Robert Jenrick to be replaced with Michael Gove.

It was great news that direct trains between Newport and Cross Keys is now only a matter of months away.

Transport for Wales have stated their intention from December 2021 to introduce the new service.

While in 2023 the remainder of the line from Cross Keys to Ebbw Vale will be undertaken ensuring that a service to Newport for the communities of Islwyn will become a reality. I will continue to campaign passionately for a railway service that fulfils the needs of the people of Islwyn.

As life slowly begins to return in our society it is important to caution that the pandemic is not yet over.

We have seen in Blackwood a rise in covid cases, which resulted in Blackwood Comprehensive having to switch some students to remote working in Year 8 and 9.

The roll out of the covid booster vaccination programme is underway.

As is the intention to offer the vaccine to Welsh children aged between 12 - 16 before the October half-term. We have seen how vital vaccination is to safeguarding lives.