Latest news with #HannahBlythyn
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Anonymise politicians' relatives working in Senedd, report says
The names of people related to politicians working in the Senedd should be kept secret from the public, the institution's internal standards body has Members of the Senedd (MSs) are banned from employing their own family, they can be employed by colleagues, as long as it is declared publicly in the register of the nature of the relationship would still be reported, the Senedd's standards said people's names should not be disclosed publicly for safety Wales was told the committee was aware of "several incidences of family members receiving unwanted emails and social media messages because they were related to politicians". Two of the four people on the standards committee, its Labour chair Hannah Blythyn and Plaid Cymru's Peredur Owen Griffiths, have partners who work for other pair declared an interest during the proceedings, but did not stay out of the discussions.A spokesperson for the committee, in a statement, said: "In making this recommendation, the committee sought to balance openness with the need to protect the safety of loved ones. "This is one recommendation amongst several intended to improve transparency around the declaration of interests by members."The measure would need to be agreed by Senedd politicians, who are currently on recess. The recommendation followed an inquiry into how MSs register and declare include requiring MSs to put a price on any gifts received and on overseas visits, and registering how much money they receive for work outside of the a forward to a report on the inquiry, Hannah Blythyn said the changes it was proposing "will encourage transparency and consistency".Among the 14 requests is that an "exception" is made for publishing the name of family members, where they are employed by other MSs."As well as increasing transparency, the committee was mindful of the need to minimise the release of information about family members, simply for being related to an elected member," Blythyn wrote."To that end, we agreed that publishing the names of family members employed by other members on the register was an unnecessary risk to their safety, and will be removing this requirement from the seventh Senedd onwards."Blythyn's report showed that both the standards commissioner Douglas Bain and the Labour Senedd group supported the told the committee there was "no significant advantage in publishing the name".The Labour group in a letter to the committee: "Family members who are employed by Members of the Senedd are not public figures and the group strongly believes that additional measures are now required to protect their identity as part of the Senedd's wider commitment to protecting staff and members from abuse and threats to their personal security." Blythyn, and committee colleague Peredur Owen Griffiths, both declared an interest at a meeting in April 2025 as both of their partners work for their party wife works for First Minister Eluned Morgan, while Owen Griffiths' wife works for Plaid Cymru MS Sioned earlier version of the inquiry report, published on the Senedd website, omitted the declaration. The Senedd said this was an "admin error".Blythyn and Owen Griffiths were both approached for comment.
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Hannah Blythyn MS for Delyn says 'our towns matter'
MS for Delyn Our towns matter. They're more than just places on a map, they're where we grow up, build our lives and create our futures – that's why I've always believed in backing them. Last week in the Senedd, I asked the First Minister about the Welsh Government's commitment to investing in our towns across North Wales and to go further by putting local people at the heart of decisions that shape their communities. From Rhyl's new Queen's Market to the transformation of Theatr Clwyd, the Welsh Government is investing in our towns. I'm proud to have played a part in establishing the Transforming Towns approach that's seen a significant amount of investment across the country and nearly £5.5m alone in Flintshire and Denbighshire. You can see many of my contributions in the Senedd on my Facebook page at I'm proud to see once again our green spaces across the constituency recognised as part of the record-breaking Green Flag Awards. From Bailey Hill in Mold to Greenfield Valley Heritage Park, these places play such a significant part in our lives – they're vital for our wellbeing, our wildlife and our communities. The full list for Wales includes 315 spaces recognised for their excellence, securing Wales that global benchmark of the highest number of Green Flags. A huge thank you to all the volunteers, community groups and the local authorities who make this possible. Your hard work has helped put our favourite North Wales spaces on the map with a Green Flag award. We recently saw the School Essentials Grant open for applications – a really helpful way to get hold of uniform, school equipment, books and laptops as well as paying for school trips for families on low incomes. Grants of up to £125 per child are available, going up to £200 for Year 7 students to reflect the extra cost of going to secondary school. To qualify, families need to be on certain benefits and children need to qualify for Free School Meals – grants are administered by Flintshire County Council, so to find out more and apply, go to Age Cymru recently launched a new, free and confidential telephone advice line specifically for older carers in Wales. Whether you're new to caring or have been doing it for years, the new telephone line provides information and advice tailored to the needs of older carers – advisors can help with a range of issues, including access to services, benefits, your rights as a carer and more, so it could be a real help to older carers in our corner of North Wales. You can contact the Older Carers Advice Line on 03300 564 365 to speak to a friendly advisor who understands your situation. I recently had the chance to join the RSPB at Talacre to do a bit of birdwatching – we were looking for the Little Tern, which can sometimes be seen in Talacre and also at Gronant Dunes. Regular readers might remember that I'm the Senedd Species Champion for the Little Tern, which the RSPB has put on the 'amber' list of birds of conservation concern. Sadly, I didn't spot any Little Terns but I did see some Sandwich Terns and Curlew! And, finally, I'm recruiting – I'm currently looking for someone to join my busy team as a Caseworker and Constituency Coordinator. This role is based in the constituency and involves helping local residents with casework, coordinating constituency visits and events and ensuring the day-to-day running of the office is responsive to the needs of the people and communities I represent. If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, or if you know someone who might be a good fit, you can see full details at 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 You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – 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.
Leader Live
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
MS says culture isn't a luxury in Wales its 'who we are'
MS for Delyn Last week in the Senedd, I spoke about the incredible contribution of North Wales to our cultural landscape – whether that's the Llangollen International Eisteddfod or the North Wales International Music Festival in St Asaph or our historic heritage at Flint Castle and Greenfield Valley. There's also the jewel in our cultural crown, Theatr Clwyd, which is nearing the end of an inspirational transformation. Culture in Wales isn't a luxury, it's who we are. It empowers, connects and drives our economy and it deserves to be supported not only by Welsh Government and other public bodies but also by our communities, the communities who inspire and attend performances and enjoy the wonderful cultural riches on offer in our corner of Wales. You can see many of my contributions in Senedd on my Facebook page at It was also lovely recently to welcome students and teachers from Point of Ayr Federation Schools to the Senedd for a visit. They certainly asked some fantastic questions and took the opportunity to raise a number of things they were concerned about with me – from the impact of acts of anti-social behaviour on their school and in their local area to what was happening with plans for a new skate park. I look forward to taking these matters up as their Member of the Senedd and updating the students through their schools. Last week was Armed Forces Week, culminating in Armed Forces Day on Saturday – a chance to pay tribute to the dedication, courage and sacrifice of those who have served and those who continue to serve in our Armed Forces. I want to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to all those in our Armed Forces community, including veterans and reservists here in North Wales, for their continued service and commitment. We will always remember, support and stand with you. As this year's Pride month comes to a close, it's a chance to reflect on what has been a packed but powerful few weeks. From the first ever Prestatyn Pride to the excellent Flintshire Schools Pride, Pride Cymru in the capital and Commonwealth events in the Senedd, Pride remains as relevant and as important as ever – a positive force for good that brings together both the LGBTQ+ community and the wider community. It's a privilege to serve the community that shaped me here in North Wales and I'm proud to be an authentic advocate and ally for our LGBTQ+ community too. Pride is still a protest and love will always win! Regular readers of this column will know that the Welsh Government will be banning plastic in wet wipes next year – the legislation is set to come into force in December 2026 and is part of a wider, integrated approach to address the problems created by excess plastic and litter, banning all sorts of single-use and unnecessary plastics in products we all use regularly, something which I kick-started when I was Minister for Environment back in 2016. So it was heartening this week to hear that Nice-Pak in Flint, one of our biggest local employers and one which does a lot of work locally for our communities, is ready for the transition ahead of the legislation by ensuring that 96% of the wipes it manufactures for the UK market are already plastic-free. This is great news for the company and for the environment – well done to the team at Nice-Pak! Finally, a reminder that Mold Carnival is back this Sunday, July 6 – a brilliant local event that brings the whole community together at the Rec and Kendricks Field (Maes Bodlonfa Fields). The day kicks off with a colourful parade at 10:30am from Griffiths Square car park and runs until 6pm with everything from hands-on science fun and special character appearances to live music, dance acts and family entertainment throughout the day. Plus, there'll be free football activities thanks to the FAW and McDonald's as well as Transformer robots! If you're free, do pop down and support this fantastic local day out. It's a great celebration of everything that makes Mold such a special place to live. 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 You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – 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.
Leader Live
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Hannah Blythyn MS reacts to the Chancellor's Spending Review
MS for Delyn Last week there was a lot of talk about the UK Government Chancellor's Spending Review and what it means for Wales. The announcement gave Wales a £5bn boost over the Spending Review period, which really shows the strength of two Labour governments working together. Rachel Reeves also announced extra investment in rail infrastructure and £118m to improve coal tip safety – priorities for the Welsh Government and real legacy issues which urgently need addressing. The Tories neglected Welsh rail for more than a decade so last week's announcement is a welcome start to improve public transport for everyone. Last week was also Carer's Week, a chance to recognise all of our carers, paid and unpaid, for everything that they do and recognise the contribution they make to families and to communities throughout Wales – many people don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities or identify as carers so they find it difficult to access much-needed support. Flintshire County Council estimates that there are around 18,000 people in Flintshire currently caring for a family member, friend or neighbour who is ill, older or disabled – if you're a carer and need support, a good place to start is NEWCIS in Mold and you can find information and contact details at I'm proud of the progress we've made in recent years towards a more representative Senedd and the work we've done in bringing equality to our public institutions – but I worry we risk going backwards. Equality in politics isn't just about numbers, it's about lived experience shaping better policy and creating a culture where everyone – women, LGBTQ+ people, neurodivergent individuals, disabled people – feel that they belong here. I very much made an active decision when I had the opportunity to stand for the Senedd because of the make-up – there were more women in our parliament and so it was more representative. More recently, misogyny, homophobia and toxic discourse online threaten that progress. That's why the work we're doing on accessibility, conduct and building an inclusive culture is so important. Last week I raised this issue in the Senedd – you can see all my contributions in the Senedd on my Facebook page at Also last week in the Senedd, I welcomed the Welsh Government's consultation aimed at providing support for our smaller high street retailers – notably support with non-domestic rates, or business rates – but I also urged further action that recognises the role of our smaller independent high street hospitability businesses in driving footfall into our town centres. These local cafés, pubs and restaurants do more than just serve food, they bring life to our towns, create jobs and support Welsh producers. We must do all we can to help them thrive and so I urge all residents to have their say in the consultation – it's available at and open until August 12. I also sponsored an event in Cardiff Bay entitled Celebrating Boots in the Community – an event which showcased the work pharmacy chain Boots does across Wales. From providing essential healthcare and championing sustainability to supporting those affected by cancer and tackling hygiene poverty through partnerships with Macmillan and the Hygiene Bank, the chemist chain makes a real difference in our communities and is a friendly face on our high streets. I want to say a big thank you to all the charity partners, store teams and stakeholders who joined us to celebrate and discuss how we can build on this vital work. The National Forest for Wales is a scheme that helps to create and protect areas of woodland across the length and breadth of Wales, including new areas of woodland as well as restoring and maintaining our unique and irreplaceable existing woodlands. The community venture, backed by the Welsh Government, protects nature and addresses biodiversity loss, while supporting the health and wellbeing of our communities, making the national forest accessible to everyone. Last week, the Welsh Government announced new areas of woodland to be added to the national forest, including Halkyn Castle Wood, which joins Coed Nercwys and Coed Moel Famau near Mold, as the latest addition to the forest in North East Wales – the 47 acres of protected woodland near Halkyn is well worth a visit! 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 You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – 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.
Leader Live
12-06-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
MS for Delyn provides several updates in this weeks column
MS for Delyn Last week in the Senedd, I paid tribute to those at the heart of our communities during Volunteers Week – volunteers, groups and organisers who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Whether it's Mold Community Clubhouse & Gardens, hospital leagues of friends or Walk & Talk Today in Ffynnongroyw, their work matters and makes a difference – and, during Pride Month, let's also celebrate the people powering our local Pride events, such as the first ever Flint Pride last year and Prestatyn Pride last weekend. In the Senedd debate, I called on the Welsh Government to build on its support for volunteers not just with funding, but through creative partnerships that help more people get involved. You watch all my questions in the Senedd on my Facebook page at The NHS matters to us all. Last week in the Senedd I talked about the challenges that remain for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, but also the positive progress that we are seeing being made – two-year waits are down by 67 per cent over the last three years, more than 12,000 patients have come off the two-year wait list and the new Llandudno orthopaedic hub is on track to make a difference when that opens later this year. This demonstrates the difference additional funding makes, thanks to having two Labour governments working together. But investment alone isn't enough, it also takes system change and that won't work without our incredible NHS workforce. That's why during a debate in the Senedd last week, I called for reassurance that staff on the ground will be fully supported and involved in shaping the improvements we all want to see. NHS staff are key to turning around the health board – I am hopeful that we are heading in the right direction, but of course there is a lot more work to do. It was a real pleasure last week to attend the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Community Awards ceremony on Thursday evening. The awards recognise individuals and organisations who are making a difference and making life better for victims, for communities and supporting the police in their work right across North Wales. It was especially lovely to see the work of Louise Rudd and Heather Williams and all the team at Walk & Talk Today in Ffynnongroyw rightly recognised in the Community Champion Award. A few years back now, I joined them at the opening of their first premises and, since then, I've seen them go from strength to strength, making a real and lasting difference to the village and surrounding area. Llongyfarchiadau Walk & Talk Today! Regular readers will know that I'm passionate about amplifying young people's voices – young people are truly the future of Wales and politicians aren't always good at listening to what they have to say. Here in Wales, we have the Welsh Youth Parliament which gives young people the chance to represent their communities from their own perspectives and recently I discovered a podcast entitled 'Get Informed and Get Involved', which has been made by the Youth Voice Network for Wales. If you like podcasts, it's worth a listen – the young presenters tackle how young people can navigate social media, how to tell the difference between reliable information and misinformation and give tips on how to get involved in democracy. I recently met with campaigners from the League Against Cruel Sports and Animal Aid to discuss the urgent need to end the caged breeding of game birds in Wales. Every year, tens of thousands of pheasants and partridges are kept in tiny, wire-mesh cages and are denied the ability to move freely. There are currently no specific regulations protecting these birds and no routine inspections of game bird farms in Wales – despite public opposition and clear welfare concerns, progress has stalled for years. Residents from across my constituency have been in touch about this issue asking for real action. Wales must follow through on its commitments to animal welfare and ban cages for breeding game birds. Finally, I had the chance on Friday to visit Theatr Clwyd to see Tick, Tick… Boom, the first performance in the newly-transformed theatre which will run until June 28 – the venue is operating a phased return so that it could stay open longer during the building work. The transformation was made possible with support from Flintshire County Council, the Arts Council of Wales and £22m of Welsh Government funding and I have to say it's a stunning building which will continue to serve our communities here in North East Wales for many years to come – the new-look theatre, restaurant, community facilities and landscaped areas around it will make the theatre even more of an asset to our area. 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 You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – 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.
