NFU Mutual Report sees 41.4% increase in costs of rural crime costs in Wales

Ben Lake, Member of Parliament for Ceredigion, has expressed concerns following a recent report that showed a sharp rise in the cost of rural crime levels in Wales.

Estimates from NFU Mutual, which insures more than 75% of farms in the UK, showed the cost of thefts from rural homes, business and farms in Wales for 2017 stood at £1.9 million - an increase of 41.4% on costs incurred in 2016.

Ben Lake MP is encouraging good causes in Ceredigion to apply for a share of a funding pot worth over £3 million that has been raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery to support projects helping local people.

Awards of between £500 and £20,000 are available to both charities and community groups, with applications being open for the funding from 1 August until the 15 August.

This is the last chance organisations will have to apply for the funding in 2018, and so far this year over 350 projects across Great Britain have been supported.  With previously funded initiatives ranging from community choirs for carers, to sports clubs, to wildlife conservation charities, this is a fantastic opportunity for groups to access funding to make a difference in the local community.

Leader and MP write open letter to thank WASPI for their tireless campaign.

The Leader of Plaid Cymru, Leanne Wood and MP for Ceredigion Ben Lake, have today written to the WASPI campaign praising their ‘inspirational example’ of grassroots campaigning.

In the letter Leanne Wood, AM for Rhondda and Ben Lake, MP for Ceredigion have committed their firm support for the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign, pledging “to do all we can to help ensure a fair deal for women affected”.

EE have launched three brand new sites providing better mobile phone coverage in the communities of Cenarth, Capel Dewi and Pontsian. Until now, there has been a signal blackspot in these villages with local people, businesses and tourists all complaining about the poor connectivity.

Ben Lake MP took on the challenge of working with the mobile phone operators to urge them to look into the problem and invest in better coverage for the area.

Last week, EE announced that the three masts had been officially switched on which could see the three villages have reliable 4G coverage for the first time. EE’s 4G coverage is now in more places in Ceredigion than their 2G and 3G coverage. To make the most of the network, constituents are advised to use a 4G calling capable handset and plan.

The Guildhall, Cardigan was packed last night with women from across Ceredigion, and their families, affected by the UK Government’s recent state pension changes.

Ceredigion MP Ben Lake, who organised the meeting, is backing the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign which is protesting against the changes made by the government to the state pension age, particularly affecting women born in the 1950s.

Around 5,000 women in Ceredigion who expected to retire at 60 have been told, some of whom with only 18-month’s notice, that they will have to wait up to another six years for their pension. It is estimated some women will miss out on over £40,000 in pension payments.

Lucky members of Merched y Wawr from the Aberystwyth area wasted no energy devouring special savoury Welsh cakes made by Bake-off star Beca Lyne-Perkis today, with the help of a smart meter, in a demonstration of energy efficient cooking.

Beca has recently been exploring ways to save energy and money in the kitchen, with the assistance of smart meters. Smart meters come with a handy in-home display, which shows you in pounds and pence exactly how much energy you are using.

Highlighting failures on both tidal lagoon and rail electrification investment, Ceredigion MP calls on the Prime Minister to commit to the Mid Wales Growth Deal

In Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday Ben Lake, the Member of Parliament for Ceredigion, pointed to west Wales and the Valleys’ poverty compared to other areas of western Europe. Despite being among the most impoverished areas not only of the UK, but of western Europe, the UK Government has reneged on investment pledges made to Wales; on development of the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon and the electrification of the north Wales line as well as the mainline to Swansea. 

Ben Lake MP has met with representatives from the charity Guide Dogs to lend his support to their campaign pressing the UK Government to introduce new laws to tackle inconsiderate pavement parking on high streets.

Recent statistics from the charity show that 97% of blind and partially sighted people experience problems with street clutter, including wheelie bins, advertising boards, and especially cars parked on pavements. Such obstacles can cause particular danger to blind, and partially sighted individuals, who are often forced to risk their lives by walking onto the road just to get by.

Ben Lake MP has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) at Westminster to congratulate Aberystwyth University on their recent achievement of a Gold Award in the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF).

The University achieved the TEF’s top rating for delivering consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for students, of the highest quality found in the UK.

The TEF was set up by the Westminster Government to recognise excellent teaching in UK higher education providers by rating them as Gold, Silver or Bronze, with ratings judged by an independent panel of students, academics and other experts.

Today marks a year since Ben Lake was elected as MP for Ceredigion - and what a year it's been!