Universal Credit Mayhem - Continuing Fight for Rail Electrification - Labour Loves the Tidal Lagoon - Pay Rise for the Public Sector - Give 16 Year Olds a Vote - What’s Done For Us? - Time to have Pride in - WE LOVE SWANSEA Updates from your Labour Councillors -

AN UPDATE FROM SWANSEA WEST CONSTITUENCY LABOUR PARTY SWANSEA CHILDREN AT RISK FROM UNIVERSAL CREDIT ROLL-OUT The way in which the UK government has “This failing in implementation, as well as the handled the set-up and roll-out of Universal shambles around the universal credit helpline, Credit has been a total disaster, from start to will hit the poorest hardest. Many people in finish. And it’s on its way to Swansea. Swansea, including those in work, cannot afford to wait weeks for their payments. This will have Swansea Labour is calling for the rollout of this a severe impact on their welfare, family life and flawed benefits system to be at least paused long term finances. and fixed, if not scrapped altogether. It’s due to arrive in Swansea on 13th December, just before “I am joining fellow Labour MPs to call on the Christmas and the worst possible timing for Government to pause the roll out of universal struggling families. credit, and fix the implementation problems which deepen inequality by hitting the poorest Geraint Davies, MP for Swansea West, says, “The hardest.” Tory Government’s planned rollout of Universal Credit has multiple failings, both in design It’s clear that Universal Credit will push thousands and implementation, and must be put on hold of Swansea children into deepening hardship and immediately.” poverty. Conditions mean that single parents of 3 and 4 year olds will be forced to take inflexible Groups fear that the universal credit roll-out It is estimated that some 25% of new universal work without affordable childcare or have their is more than just cruel, in some cases it will be credit claimants waited more than 42 days for benefits stopped. Labour says this is wrong as downright dangerous. The switch to making a their first payment, pushing them into debt it will push more families into debt and more single payment per household puts vulnerable women at risk as abusive partners can put further and rent arrears. Reports have found that 4/10 children into hardship in Swansea this Winter. control on finances. Emotional and financial abuse households were in rent arrears eight weeks after is often the first step in relationships becoming a universal credit claim was made, with nearly Join the campaign: violent. We urge the government to think again. one in three still in arrears four months later. www.swanseawestlabour.org

Geraint Davies Let’s fight for Rail Electrification & Labour MP the Swansea Metro network Swansea West We cannot stand by and let the Tory Government between London and Cardiff switched to dirty break the Prime Minister’s promise to electrify the diesel from Cardiff to Swansea. Swansea needs to rail line from Cardiff to Swansea. David Cameron be linked up to the European electrified network said in 2014 it would “provide a huge economic to attract inward investment and jobs. boost to an area with neglected infrastructure”. GeraintDaviesMP We will not sit back and let money intended for Businesses, councils and universities across rail electrification to Swansea be spent elsewhere. our city region have also supported plans for a Swansea Metro network on an electrified system. south England. As the poorest part of Europe, we That’s why, once again, I’ve brought together This would cut journey times by 30 minutes from need UK investment to make up for billions of EU businesses like Tata Steel, Admiral and Wales Swansea to Cardiff and another 15 minutes to funding that will be lost with Brexit. CBI with four councils, our two universities, London. and MPs and AMs to fight to ensure the railway Find out more about the Rail Electrification is electrified all the way to Swansea. The Wales deserves our £2 billion share of the English Campaign & Swansea Metro Plan at Conservatives want electric powered trains HS2 – the high-speed rail links between north and swanseawestlabour.org

Swansea West Constituency Newsletter - Winter 2017/2018 SUBSCRIBE TO CAMPAIGN UPDATES AT Produced, paid for and delivered by ordinary members of your local Labour Party WWW.SWANSEAWESTLABOUR.ORG

What is Swansea’s City Deal and why should I care?

Progress is being made are equipped with the skills behind the scenes on the and talents to thrive in the £1.3 billion City Deal which industries of the future. City was approved in March. The Deal money will finance 11 City Deal will lever in £637 projects in Swansea, Neath million of private sector Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire funding, £396 million from and Pembrokeshire four councils, two health areas over the next 15 boards and two universities, years to boost economic plus £241 million from the performance and create UK and Welsh Governments. some 10,000 jobs.

The City Deal is not all Brexit and funding cuts have about new buildings and brought big uncertainties, infrastructure, it’s mainly but our job now is to about skills, knowledge, combine and target our talent and partnerships that efforts to help to build a we must develop if we are stronger and fairer future to be successful. We must for all our Swansea Bay ensure that young people communities. In Swansea West, and across the UK, membership of the Labour Party has grown significantly, and millions more For years now, public UNISON is calling for an demonstrated their support for Labour Public Sector sector workers have seen end to the pay cap, and for policies at the last election. their pay held back by the funding to enable a pay rise Workers Need a Labour is putting forward a real Tory government in the for all public service workers. alternative to Tory austerity, a message Pay Rise name of austerity. Years of of hope that exposes the rip-off being wage freezes and pay rises If you are not a member of a perpertrated by the very wealthiest below the cost of living union, it’s time to join one. have brought hard times to Visit tuc.org.uk/join-union to in society, under the current Tory workers and their families. find the right union for you. government. People across the UK were inspired by Labour’s message of hope in the June elections. Labour promised to build a fairer Britain where no one is held back Remembering Eyob and everybody is able to get on in life. Geraint Davies MP is calling support he required. We need to A Britain where people have security at for an inquiry into the alleged rethink the way we treat asylum work and at home, where everyone is suicide of an asylum seeker in seekers to avoid a tragedy like Swansea this happening again. decently paid for the work they do and we can all live our lives with dignity. All of us in Swansea West “That is why I am writing to the Labour Party were devastated Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, The Labour Manifesto speaks directly when we heard the story of to call for a full inquiry into to the challenges and opportunities we Eyob Tefera, 27, from Ethiopia took his Eyob Tefera, an asylum seeker this tragic event. This demands face here in Swansea, and helped us from Ethiopia who tragically our urgent attention and I will own life in September 2017 took his own life when his PTSD be using my Parliamentary bring home a historic Labour majority became too much to bear after platform to call for Government in Swansea West. he lost his housing. Eyob was Action.” REFUGEES WELCOME

loved by all who knew him Together, we can do more to ensure and is remembered as a quiet, One of our members, who was a vulnerable refugees are welcomed devout Christian, football fan close friend of Eyob’s, has set up National Labour Policies That Will and supported. Can you turn up to and former lecturer who had an online petition supporting offer friendship and support at one Make A Real Difference in Swansea: come to Swansea to make a Geraint Davies’ call for a public of these drop in sessions? better life for himself. We are inquiry into the circumstances of his death, so that lessons • Guarantee the triple lock for sad and angry that the system St James Church Hall, SA1 4QF might be learnt on how we let him down in this way. Fridays 17:30-19:30 pensioner incomes can better support vulnerable Geraint Davies said, people in our community. St Phillips Comm. Centre SA1 3QT • An end to zero hours contracts “Undoubtedly, there were Saturdays 14:00-17:00 • Bring the railways back into public multiple institutional failures Please sign/share the petition United Reformed Church, SA1 2BE which meant that Mr Terefa at: swanseawestlabour.org/ Tues & Thurs 16:00-20:00 ownership as franchises expire lacked the mental and physical campaigns • A minimum wage of at least £10 an hour by 2020 • 60% of UK energy from zero-carbon #LoveTheLagoon: Labour Councillors, MPs and AMs or renewable sources by 2030 continue to support the Tidal • Build over one million more homes, Lagoon. Let’s maximise the economic benefits for the area. with at least half for social rent Ward Successes, to name just a few... Your TOWNHILL, MAYHILL & GORS as requested by local residents we have had speed humps installed along Nicander Parade Labour Team

having noticed damage to Lady of Lourdes roundabout we got the necessary “We would like to thank you for repairs done re-electing all three of us in May, so that to remove the stream across Waun Wen Road which can freeze over in winter we we may continue to serve as your local have sorted out the leak at the bottom on Granogwen Road Townhill ward Councillors” says Cllr Lesley Walton.

WILD FLOWERS have again been planted to Cllr Lesley Walton 07503 702327 brighten up the ward, in three spots: on the corner [email protected] of Gomer Road with Gors Avenue; just round the bend bottom of Townhill Road; and on the corner Blog : lesleywaltoncouncillor.blogspot.com of Penygraig Road & Dyfed Avenue. Whilst slow to Twitter : @lesleywalton get started all have lasted well into October.

DECORATIVE PLANTERS we have had placed on Lady of Lourdes & Graiglywd round- abouts continue to flourish.

And Cllr Cyril Anderson adds, “By listening to your concerns, and The Friends of MAYHILL WASHING LAKE through picking up on issues ourselves & Community Food Garden was formed a year ago when we visit the ward, we have already and has gone from strength to strength. We are achieved some successes this year on especially pleased to have helped support it so your behalf.” that the picnic area can be used by the community, kept tidy and free of litter. Cllr Cyril Anderson 01792 526489 [email protected] Do you know about recycling plastic? “We will continue to use our community The council is unable to recycle all types of plastic so here’s a handy list of what budget to improve facilities in your you can and cannot recycle : ward such as replacing the Mayhill Road YES PLEASE - PINK BAGS NO THANKS - BLACK BAGS play area” explains Cllr David Hopkins. “And we will always aim to do our best - Clean plastic food trays - Bubble Wrap, Cling Film & Film lids to represent all of you.” - Plastic bottle tops & caps - Crisp Packets, Chocolate wrappers - Plastic margarine tubs - Dirty items Cllr David Hopkins 01792 655956 - Plastic ice cream tubs - Electrical/Electronic items - Plastic yoghurt pots - Plastic carrier bags [email protected] - Plastic bottles - Polystyrene

COUNCILLOR SURGERIES REPORT IT! YOUR AM & MP:

1ST MONDAY OF THE MONTH Feel free to get in touch with us Julie James AM 7-8pm at Mayhill Community Centre but you can also report most 11 Wind Street, Swansea, SA1 1DP issues yourselves via : 1ST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH Call Julie on 01792 460 836 Phone on 01792 636000 6.30-7.30pm at Gors Community Centre [email protected] www.swansea.gov.uk/reportit 3RD MONDAY OF THE MONTH Email [email protected] Geraint Davies MP 10.30-11.30am at Phoenix Centre Text to 07800 006367 18 Cradock Street, Swansea, SA1 3HE Call in or write to Civic Centre, 3RD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH Call Geraint on 01792 475 943 Oystermouth Rd, Swansea SA1 3SN 12-1pm at TOPIC House [email protected]

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