Letter in full

I’ve written jointly with Chris Evans MP to Liz Kendall, raising concerns about the UK Govt welfare reform plans. Chris has also signed a parliamentary amendment to the Universal Credit and PIP Bill which aims to block the changes from becoming law in their current form.

From 2016 to 2023 #EngageToChange worked across #Wales to support young people aged 16-25 with a learning difficulty, learning disability and/or autism to gain meaningful employment. We celebrate the legacy it leaves behind thanks to the brilliant team: ldw.org.uk/engage-to-ch...

O 2016 i 2023, bu #EngageToChange yn gweithio ledled #Cymru i gefnogi pobl ifanc 16-25 oed ag anhawster dysgu, anabledd dysgu a/neu awtistiaeth i gael cyflogaeth ystyrlon. Rydym yn dathlu'r etifeddiaeth y mae'n ei gadael ar ôl diolch i'r tîm gwych: ldw.org.uk/cy/engage-to...

Great to be on @sharpenditv.bsky.social this week to talk about the Welsh language and the 2026 Senedd elections. I had the opportunity to promote the difference Welsh Labour has made: free prescriptions, opposing PFI, Free School Meals & breakfasts, keeping & increasing EMA, and much more!

AVAILABLE NOW: I interviewed award winning journalist @willhaycardiff.bsky.social. How will the 2026 Senedd election unfold? Does he support Welsh Independence? Is he related to Mark Drakeford? All this and more at the link below: open.spotify.com/episode/4efe...

Coming soon: My interview with @willhaycardiff.bsky.social, award winning journalist and author of the book ‘Independent Nation: Should Wales Leave the UK?’

This will be the focus of my campaigning in the year ahead. If you want to join me, my email is [email protected]

'This is a clear attack on freedom of speech and freedom to organise. It is unprecedented for a University to try to close down legitimate trade union activity in this way. It also appears to be evidence of a climate of fear' @hefindavid.bsky.social nation.cymru/news/cardiff...

Sir Tom Jones & Labour Senedd member Hefin David share Beard of Wales 2025 title Beard Liberation Front 28th February Contact BLF Organiser Keith Flett @keithbeard.bsky.social Sir Tom Jones & Labour Senedd member Hefin David share Beard of Wales 2025 title The annual vote which decides the St…

A WalesOnline article erroneously claims that Senedd reform is costing £84m. That is in fact the entire 25/26 budget for all of Welsh parliamentary democracy. The Senedd reform element is £6m. In context, the Welsh Government budget for 25/26 will increase by £1500m. Senedd reform is 0.4% of that.

The Senedd will be lit this evening to mark the third anniversary of the War in Ukraine. We stand in solidarity with Ukraine today and every day. 🇺🇦🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Heading for Kyiv gofund.me/2a8c815a

Very sorry to hear that @janehutt.bsky.social is standing down. She has been nothing but supportive, kind and encouraging since I was first elected in 2016. As chief whip, she deploys her compliments ruthlessly and it seems to work 😆. Best boss I’ve ever had by some margin.

"The university is a ticking time bomb. But the mental health impact assessment of these cuts (another Friday PDF) says we can lean on our line managers. My line manager, a quiet mid-career academic with an international research reputation, is also devastated."

(Tentative) good news! The latest Welsh NHS waiting list data is out. The longest waits (over 2 years) have fallen by 740 in a month (Nov-Dec). The biggest monthly fall since Feb last year. Overall waiting lists are down by 1,873. 1/2

Cardiff UCU: “Today’s announcement of a £19m cash injection for the sector in Wales makes it even more difficult for Cardiff University’s executive board to plough ahead with its plans to slash 400 jobs and close entire departments and programmes.” ✊👇 www.walesonline.co.uk/news/educati...

Ministers use diplomatic language to maintain relationships. It’s not something backbenchers need to do. But WG use language to indicate strong intent. The Minister’s statement & funding commitment is a shot across the bows of Cardiff Uni leadership. They are being closely watched 👇

Strong post from Mick. He’s one of the best and will be missed from the Senedd, as will great and true Labour colleagues Joyce Watson, Rebecca Evans, Vaughan Gething, Mark Drakeford, Dawn Bowden, Julie Morgan, Lesley Griffiths & John Griffiths. A lot of talent to lose but we have strength in depth.

I taught international students on the Cardiff Met MBA for 8 years. I taught MBA students over the course of 5 years in China and worked in India, where I was welcomed. All of this opinion piece rings sadly true. International students should be equally welcome here.

It's worth staying on X just to watch Arron Banks endlessly shoot himself in the foot.

Someone like @richgater.bsky.social is exactly what Cardiff University needs if it is to be a truly inclusive, Welsh based institution. His examination of the experiences of marginalised working class young men is vital and under-researched.

PROPOSED CUTS AT CARDIFF UNIVERSITY Here's my speech today on the steps of the Senedd, in support of all those battling proposed cuts at Cardiff University. These proposals must not go ahead, the University's leadership must listen to its staff, and we need to fix HE in the UK. fb.watch/xxZu83HLen/

Damning criticism of Cardiff University’s Prof Wendy Larner from Labour’s Hefin David MS. Hear hear. 👏👏👏

My FMQ this week. With the Scottish Govt ditching their plans for a National Care Service at a reported cost of £27m, what is happening in Wales? The Welsh Govt say that they remain committed to an NCS. Where are we now and how do their plans fit with the UK Govt plan to consult on this?

Thanks to @hefindavid.bsky.social who, at the @Senedd.Wales Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee yesterday, pointed out the challenges of getting independent advice and guidance for pre-16 learners on the range of vocational paths that are available and the best way to tackle the issue.

We would like to see equality of opportunity in employment across Wales for people with #learningdisabilities Our recommendations for a #JobCoach strategy suggest how this might work. www.engagetochange.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Have a listen

CAERFFILLI HEROES: My latest episode examines the amazing work done for disabled young people and families by Deborah Lloyd and Sam Rouse as the Sparrows Aln Group. Thank you Nana Deb! Produced by Ysbyty Ystrad FM Link: open.spotify.com/episode/1CjN...

Great to meet Dr Push Mangat yesterday CMO for Wales and discuss how we can promote Neurodiversity education in the medical student curriculum. PV would like to see medics/GPs more involved in the whole system approach and signposting to support for neurodivergent families #needsled #wholechild

It was an honour to officially launch the Year of Wales and Japan today. Croeso i Flwyddyn Cymru a Japan! #WalesAndJapan #CymruAJapan

If helping others is your vocation then following that into politics is a good move. Vikki Munden will go far.

On Monday the latest in my Caerffili Heroes podcast will be released. It’s a special one for me as I talk to Deb and Sam who run the Sparrows, for children with Autism and those who are learning disabled. #apcymru #Autism #austismawareness #actuallyautistic

Fed up of hearing the word ‘superpower’ applied to autistic people, especially children.

In an #IDP meeting I don't want to hear my #autistic daughters art work described as a "superpower". I'd like it recognised as a skill. It's skill that should be developed, a skill that could be useful to her in #employment if she is well supported to have the career she wants.

My issue with this is that my daughter started school before she was diagnosed with autism. So, as much as they say ‘medical needs’ can be taken into account (which is an insufficient definition), how do we ensure those with undiagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions are cared for?

A row over a company which manages a large number of GP surgeries in the valleys spilled into the Senedd today - Eluned Morgan saying she was "deeply concerned" over allegations of how eHarley Street is running its surgeries www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Another MS is doing a podcast - this time Hefin David interviewing Caerphilly Observer owner Richard Gurner open.spotify.com/episode/4jWX...

Yesterday in the Senedd

Well, here we are.