Highlights this month in Westminster have included, the Leonard Cheshire Cymru drop-in and photo call in support of disabled people in Wales, CAMRA’s celebration of beer and pubs and Dogs Trust event calling for a UK wide ban on electric dog collars.

I was pleased to give my support to the World Wildlife Fund’s campaign to act on plastics, and was delighted to give my congratulations to Scouts Cymru as they received a Parliamentary Award.

It is always a pleasure to welcome constituents to Westminster and this last month I met with students from Coleg Cymoeed.

In my Shadow Defence capacity I attended the EEF Manufacturers association Conference, Prospect Trade Union seminar on defence, a briefing by GKN and meetings with Rolls Royce, Babcock, and BAE Maritime Services.

I was pleased to attend a rally organised by PCS in support of a fully funded 5% pay rise for public sector employees.

During Defence Questions in the Commons I asked a question of the Armed Forces Minister about the scathing report, produced by the National Audit Office, on the Ministry of Defence’s equipment plan for 2017 to 2027.  The report highlights that there is a £20.8 billion gaping black hole in the MoD’s budget. I also had the chance to speak in a debate in which I warned of the implications for defence of the proposed takeover of GKN by Melrose, and the consequent risk of asset stripping.

Some recent constituency events had to be cancelled due to the adverse weather, but I was able to attend a productive meeting with the Head teacher at Lewis Pengam School to discuss how best to tackle the issue of substance misuse amongst the young in our communities, alongside Hefin David AM.

We have this month received the disappointing news of proposed redundancies at Peter’s Pies in Bedwas and I am meeting with the company, and working closely with the trade unions, in an effort to mitigate the impact of any job loss.