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 Carers 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 www.newcis.org.uk.

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 www.facebook.com/HannahBlythyn.

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 https://www.gov.wales/node/68251/respond-online 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 hannah.blythyn@senedd.wales. You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – www.facebook.com/HannahBlythyn. 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.