This week saw the introduction of the Bus (Services) Bill in the Senedd, which I am proud to support – this landmark legislation will help bring about the transformation of bus travel so that it serves our people and places rather than profits. In practice, the Bus Bill will mean one joined-up network, with one timetable and tickets that can be used across the network on buses and trains and it will allow publicly-run bus companies to provide services that are shaped by our communities, allowing us all to have a greater say on which routes go where.

The introduction of the Bus Bill comes on the back of the Welsh Government’s new MyTravelPass, which allows 16 to 21-year-olds to pay just £1 for a single bus journey or travel all day for £3. I recently joined Ben Harris, our local Welsh Youth Parliament member, at Mold Bus Station to highlight the difference fairer fares and better buses will make to younger people in particular. I know how important buses are for everyone across our communities, that’s why I will continue to work to better connect our communities. It’s great that young people will now be able to make the most of our bus network with reduced fares, meaning they can get to work, school, college and see friends – go to my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HannahBlythyn to see the video we made at the bus station.

AI is one of the defining issues of our time, but alongside the opportunities it brings, it also presents serious risks. In the Senedd last week I called for a statement from the Welsh Government on AI, highlighting the dangers of so-called ‘nudification’ – apps that create fake nude images without consent. This is abuse, predominantly targeting women, girls, even schoolchildren, and it must be stopped. I’m urging stronger safeguards and for both Welsh and UK Governments to work together to go further than the Online Safety Act. We must act now to ensure AI serves the public good, not fuels misogyny and discrimination.

In 2008, Wales made history as it became the world’s first Fair Trade Nation – fair trade empowers producers across the globe, helping to safeguard the future of our favourite products and the planet, as well as working to tackle global poverty and inequality. As we come to the end of Fair Trade Fortnight, the theme for which is ‘Do it Fair’ this year, it’s worth noting that, according to organisation Fair Trade Wales, 74% of people said that buying from ethical producers is becoming more important to consumers nowadays. Local groups like Flintshire Fairtrade Coalition work to promote fair trade in our area, as well as town councils like Holywell, which is supporting the campaign this year. To find out more about fair trade and what it means, visit www.fairtrade.wales/about-fair-trade.

During the summer I visited the Point of Ayr Miners’ Museum (POAMM) in Holywell to catch up with John Wiltshire, a former Point of Ayr miner who has been instrumental in ensuring that our heritage is recognised and remembered. Last week, former miners from the colliery held a Point of Ayr Reunion at Rhyl Rugby Club, a chance for many of them to meet up and have a chat as well as raise funds for POAMM and St Kentigern’s Hospice in St Asaph, both very worthwhile causes. Like many in our area, I have family who worked at the colliery – including my Taid and my uncle – and it’s so important that we celebrate our mining heritage.

Finally, I had the chance to drop in to Ysgol Bryn Coch in Mold last week to meet with the Year 6 Eco Council, who wrote to me about why councils don’t recycle soft plastics like crisp packets. It was a good discussion with the children and I was able to update the council on Welsh Government plans to introduce soft plastics recycling in 2027, with two pilot studies that are currently ongoing in Swansea and the Vale of Glamorgan. We also talked about using Dragon Bags – the scheme that helps schools across Wales raise funds through textile recycling – as well as the school’s composting efforts and its uniform swap-shop, all part of our nation’s circular economy, something which I helped to create when I was Environment Minister.

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.