This week, members return to the Senedd after the Easter recess and it’s good to get back to this part of my role as your representative. As well as my work on the Senedd Standards of Conduct Committee, which I chair, and the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee which I sit on, I’ll be keeping a close eye on a number of other issues which will be discussed in the Siambr – I’ll be updating readers on my contributions to debates in the coming weeks as well as posting on my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HannahBlythynForDelyn.
Over the Easter period, it was good to mark the anniversary of the free prescriptions for everyone policy in Wales – for 18 years, our nation has led the UK in ensuring access to essential medication is based on need, not ability to pay. This Welsh Government policy is vital for individuals living with chronic illnesses or long-term health conditions, many of whom require multiple prescriptions each month. By removing financial barriers, free prescriptions support better health outcomes, reduce anxiety during times of economic pressure and help to prevent conditions from worsening, ultimately easing demand on NHS services. It’s worth remembering that prescriptions over the border in England are nearly £10 per prescription, which can be a heavy burden on people suffering from chronic illnesses, especially during times of cost-of-living pressures – so we in Wales should be proud that we’ve removed that barrier to treatment.
It was good to take some time recently to reflect at the Mining Memorial at Ffynnongroyw that stands as a reminder of the Point of Ayr Colliery. The colliery closed in 1996 after more than 100 years of mining and played its part in shaping our industrial heritage here in North East Wales. Regular readers will know that my family, like many across our community, has deep roots in this history – my Taid, uncle and others worked at Point of Ayr, the last deep pit in north Wales. Just before the Easter recess, I spoke in a short debate to recognise the contribution made to our communities and country and to remember those whose lives were changed forever.
Earlier in the year, it was announced that the Welsh Government is putting a record £75m into flood risk management through the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Programme – since 2021, the government has provided nearly £300m to risk management authorities in Wales. We know that accelerating climate change will only make flooding incidents more likely and more frequent, which is why this level of investment is such an important step to make a real difference to communities right across Wales, although it’s clear that more needs to be done. Some areas in our corner of North East Wales have been flooded repeatedly and the cumulative impacts of experiencing flood damage multiple times are severe, so it’s vital that the Welsh Government looks at ways to alleviate flood risk, including working with nature, as well as supporting those communities which have suffered as a result of flooding.
Wales will become the first devolved nation in the UK to trial registering voters automatically – something that other nations already do, such as Australia. The idea is to help make democratic participation more accessible and inclusive and the Welsh Government has recently announced pilots in several areas. It’s vital that everyone is involved in our democratic system and that no one is left out of the process, so automatic registration is one way to ensure that new electors are included without having to fill in a form – and it’s important to note that being registered to vote will not include being added to the ‘open’ local government list, safeguarding the privacy of people who are added to the register automatically.
Finally, as mentioned in my more recent columns, Mold ABC Boxing Club is hosting an amateur boxing show this Sunday to showcase some of the club’s work to support young people in our area. The show, called ‘May the 4th be With You’, is taking place from 12pm at Mold Sports Centre and you can find out more at www.facebook.com/MoldABCBoxingClub.
As always, if you would like advice and/or support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on any of the following contact details – 52 High Street, Mold, Flintshire, on 01352 753464 or by email hannah.blythyn@senedd.wales. You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – www.facebook.com/HannahBlythynForDelyn. Constituents are, of course, welcome to contact my office to arrange an appointment to see me, you don’t need to wait for an advice surgery.