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Spring / Summer 2026 Newsletter
23.07.2026
- Following the election in May, I’m delighted to return to the Senedd as one of the Members of Senedd for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd. After 27 years of Labour in government here in Wales, for the first time, Plaid Cymru formed the Welsh Government and I was honoured to be asked to serve as Deputy First Minister of Wales and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality. I’m looking forward to taking on the important challenges of this portfolio as well as representing people across Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd.
- The new constituency of Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, which I represent, is one of 16 new constituencies in the Senedd. Each constituency is covered by six Members of Senedd, from a variety of parties, reflecting the proportion of votes cast across that constituency. Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd extends from the coastline in Swansea East all the way to the middle of Wales, and as such, includes three councils: Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Powys. In Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, there are two Plaid Cymru Members of Senedd elected to represent you – myself and Rebeca Phillips. My constituency office is in Neath, but wherever you live in Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, you can come to me for help on a range of matters including health, the environment, education, housing and community safety. You can also get in touch if you’re part of a community group and want to talk to me about your work or would like me to visit.
- The National Showcaves Centre for Wales, holds so many special memories for me as it was one of my children’s favourite places to visit. I was delighted to accept an invitation to visit alongside my fellow MS for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, Rebeca Phillips. It’s clear the importance of Dan-yr-Ogof, both as a tourist attraction and local employer. I've been coming to the Hay Festival for over 30 years, so it was wonderful to now be able to represent the Town Books and its fantastic festival in the Senedd. Diolch to the Chair of the Festival for inviting me to hear about their exciting plans for marking the Festival's 40th birthday next year. It was a huge honour also to meet two of my sheroes Emma Thompson and Lyse Doucet! ebeca Phillips MS and I had a great time joining My Green Valley for their monthly litter pick in Clydach. We spent time walking along the canal, and around parts of the town and gathered a number of bags full of litter.
- Everyone is safe here” - that was what one of the pupils told me when I asked them what they liked best about Hay on Wye Community Primary School. I was visiting the school as one of their local Members of Senedd, to find out more about the work they have been doing to create a culture of welcome and inclusion, as a School of Sanctuary. had a lovely day at Pontardawe Food Festival which I attended with local councillors and the Mayor of Pontardawe. A huge diolch to everyone who helped make this great community event happen, showcasing the best of local Welsh food and drink. It was lovely to pop back to the coffee morning at Dyffryn Clydach Memorial Hall, organised by Dyffryn Clydach Community Links. Taking place every Friday morning, these coffee mornings are clearly appreciated by everyone who goes and it’s a great chance to offer my help to people with any matters they wish to raise with me.
- I visited the wonderful Theatr Brycheiniog to hear about the role this wonderful centre for the arts plays in supporting their community and the wider area. Thank you to Sara and the team for the warm welcome. I was pleased to receive an invite to Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Castell-nedd’s assembly to talk about my role, and answer questions about being one of their Members of Senedd.I really enjoyed hearing their School Song and their song about children’s rights. It was also nice to be able to say “Diolch” in person to the School Council who made my beautiful bracelet. There was a warm welcome for everyone at Pontardawe Pride, despite the rain! There was a whole day of great events lined up at the Pontardawe Inn, as well as an interfaith LGBTQ+ service held at Gellionnen Chapel. Diolch to everyone who has helped organise and sponsored this great annual event.
- In the Senedd, I have set out my priorities as Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality. One of my many responsibilities in the Welsh Government will be to oversee the work to expand funded childcare and to pilot a direct child payment. I attended a coffee morning in Pontardawe Library, where we discussed a wide range of issues - from local banking and bus services, to shop closures, littering and opportunities for young people. Neath Port Talbot Libraries host a number of coffee mornings and other group activities across all libraries they manage, so please refer to them for more details. met with constituents outside the Senedd, with Haemophilia Wales, who are campaigning for justice for people affected by the infected blood scandal. I support their calls to simplify the process so that compensation can be paid quickly.
- We’re very lucky in Neath to have such a wonderful place for young people – the Neath Boys & Girls Club in the Melin, which recently re-opened its doors. It’s a fantastic space already, with a large gym and kitchen facilities downstairs, and the team of volunteers have plans for upstairs too. If you’re interested in the events and activities they’re running, or if you’d like to help out as a volunteer, please contact the team! Hay Brecon and Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees (HBTSR) recently ran an art and literature challenge for schools across south Powys to recognise the courage and contributions of refugees, both past and present.I visited the ‘Celebrating Refugees’ exhibition at Theatr Brycheiniog where the creativity and compassion from the pupils was clear. Among the pupils from Brecon High School that I met was Sofiia, who has made Brecon her home after being forced to flee from Ukraine. She showed me her powerful and poignant poetry. Well done to everyone who took part and to those working to ensure those who need support are given a welcome.
- I am honoured to have been asked to serve as Deputy First Minister of Wales and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality. As Deputy First Minister my role is to stand in for the First Minister when he has competing priorities, and this might include taking media interviews, going on official visits, and taking First Ministers Questions. As Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality, my portfolio includes matters relating to fairness and equality, as well as having responsibility for early years.