Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson on agriculture in Westminster, Ben Lake MP, has said that “warm words won’t cut it” for Welsh farmers concerned about the impact of the New Zealand trade deal, which was announced last night.

Last year’s analysis by the UK Government found that its effect on Britain’s GDP would probably have “limited effect … in the long run” – being between a positive growth of 0.01% or negative growth of -0.01%. The analysis also concluded that an agreement would have “a potential decrease in employment in the agriculture and semi-processed foods sectors in the long run”.

Following a long standing campaign by Elin Jones MS and local residents, Elin is pleased to have received confirmation that plans are underway to create a shared-use path connecting the village of Dole to Bow Street, on the A487.

Prime Minister ‘disconnected from the real world’ says former HGV driver

In today’s PMQs, Plaid Cymru MP for Ceredigion, Ben Lake, told Boris Johnson that a “long-term solution” to the supply chain crisis requires “improved working conditions” and “measures to reduce waiting times at distribution centres.”

Mr Lake referenced the Department for Transport’s ‘National survey of lorry parking’ from 2018, which identified that there is an immediate need for more than 1,411 parking spaces across England, to enable drivers to take their legally mandated rest breaks without concerns for security and safety.  

Waiting times also contribute to HGV drivers’ poor working conditions. The 2021 Post-Brexit Hauliers Survey showed that increased waiting times at the border was the biggest impact cited by respondents (81%), followed by increased time spent on admin (69%).

MS tells the Trust: ‘the way to improve ambulance response in Ceredigion is to invest in the number of crews at anyone one time, not to reduce’

Ben Lake MP has launched a short survey to seek the views of local organisations, clubs and societies on the services available to their community bank accounts.

Many organisations have shared concerns with the Ceredigion MP that local branch closures have impacted on their ability to open bank accounts, change account signatories and withdraw and deposit cash. As a result, many societies, charities and third-sector organisations are having to deal with increased travel expenses, heightened security issues and cashflow problems all resulting from the lack of local banking services.  

A virtual Children's Parliament is being held at 5pm on Friday 29th October 2021 ahead of the COP26 United Nations Climate Change conference.  

650 Child MPs, from primary schools across the UK, made up of children between 7 and 11 years of age (next term), will be debating their views on a range of issues including climate change, the Covid-19 response and technology. 

The Welsh Affairs Committee has launched a short inquiry which seeks to explore how major policy changes could affect family farms in Wales.   

The policy changes being considered include – but are not limited to – UK Government policy on international trade and free trade agreements, and legislation around climate change. The Committee will explore how these policy areas are likely to impact societal connections and traditions in farming communities, and look at what can be done to support communities, their culture and heritage. 

Failure to produce legislation ahead of summer season will result in more deaths and injuries, warns Plaid Cymru MPs.

Plaid Cymru MPs, Ben Lake and Hywel Williams, have today (24 July) criticised the UK Government for continuing to “drag their heels” by failing to introduce legislation on the licensing of jet skis in time for the summer tourist season.

Hywel Williams, the Plaid Cymru MP for Arfon had introduced a Private Members’ Bill in Westminster in November 2020 that would have established a licensing system for drivers of personal watercrafts and created the offence of driving a jet ski without a licence.

Plaid Cymru MP leads debate in Parliament on the purchase of agricultural land for carbon offsetting

Plaid Cymru’s Environment, Food & Rural Affairs spokesperson in Westminster, Ben Lake MP lead a debate in Westminster yesterday (13 July) on the purchase of agricultural land for forestry and carbon offsetting by large companies.

Carbon offsetting is the idea that businesses can offset their environmental impact by planting trees or supporting other forms of habitat restoration in order to ‘cancel out’ the damage they do to the environment. However, offsetting schemes have been criticised by environmental organisations such as Greenpeace for providing “a good story that allows companies to swerve away from taking meaningful action on their carbon emissions.”

Ben Lake MP has tabled a parliamentary motion to celebrate the life and legacy of Wyn Fflach, a musician, music arranger and producer from Aberteifi who passed away recently at the age of 61.