St David’s Day and Welsh Affairs

Nusrat Ghani Excerpts

Thursday 26th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Gerald Jones (Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare) (Lab)]

It is a pleasure to speak in this St David’s day and Welsh affairs debate. I will raise a number of issues affecting my constituency.

I was so pleased that this Labour Government are making huge steps in tackling child poverty. The removal of the two-child cap represents the biggest action to tackle child poverty in any single Parliament. My constituency has some of the highest levels of child poverty in Wales, and this single act will lift around 2,600 children in my constituency, and nearly 70,000 children across Wales, out of poverty. The previous Minister for Employment, my hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead (Alison McGovern), came to meet local organisations and charities as part of the Government’s consultation on the child poverty strategy last year. The single message from that event was that the removal of the cap would be the most important thing to tackle child poverty locally. It is a huge step forward and shows the difference of a Labour Government in action.

In the Budget debate in November, I mentioned the high fuel prices in my constituency, and in Merthyr Tydfil particularly. I first wrote to fuel suppliers around two years ago, highlighting that fuel prices in Merthyr Tydfil were around 10p per litre more expensive than anywhere else across the valleys. In fact, fuel here in London is cheaper than in Merthyr Tydfil. In 2024, I wrote to all the fuel suppliers locally, highlighting the unfairness of their prices. I also wrote to the Competition and Markets Authority asking it to look into the matter, and so far it has not felt the need to act. All the while, my constituents are paying over the odds, and some have questioned whether some local suppliers are colluding to keep prices higher than they need to be.

In January, I met Asda to stress that its Merthyr Tydfil store was selling fuel at 8p to 10p per litre higher than any other nearby Asda store—in fact, 10p higher than the Asda store in the Aberdare part of my constituency—and higher than any other store in south Wales. To be fair, Asda agreed that its prices were high and agreed to reduce them. Within three days of that meeting, it dropped its fuel prices in its Merthyr Tydfil store by 5p per litre. That is a step in the right direction—absolutely—but it is still higher than elsewhere. Meanwhile, prices at other petrol stations, such as Esso, Texaco and Applegreen, continue to be significantly higher than elsewhere.

For many of my constituents, if they need to go out of town for work or leisure, they do not fill up locally any more. Many people work locally, though, and many older people may not have a choice and end up paying over the odds. Given the deprivation and levels of child poverty that exist in Merthyr Tydfil, it is immoral that fuel suppliers continue to appear to rip off local people. This is not a short-term situation; it has been the case for almost two years now.

In the Budget, the Chancellor introduced the fuel finder scheme, which forces suppliers to publicise their fuel prices within 30 minutes of increasing them or, for that matter, decreasing them. That will help consumers find cheaper fuel, but sadly, consumers in Merthyr Tydfil do not have too many options, other than travelling to other towns and villages to fill up. By raising this issue today, I hope that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State may be able to add her voice to the call on fuel suppliers to do the right thing by my constituents and act in a fairer way. While we as MPs do not have the authority to tell private suppliers what they can charge for their products, by calling this out for what it is, I hope that suppliers will recognise that they need to act, and I hope that the CMA will also come to the table to take whatever action it can.

My constituency is home to General Dynamics where the Ajax vehicles are being assembled. Recently, the Ministry of Defence conducted investigations following noise and vibration concerns from Army personnel. While I and the Government rightly prioritise safety, we need an outcome soon, as the 700 workers in my constituency need assurances on their future and the future of that work. The £50 million Wales defence growth deal signed by the Secretary of State, the Defence Secretary and the Welsh First Minister just last week signifies this Government’s intent to invest in defence. I very much welcome that investment, which also provides yet another example of two Labour Governments working together to create jobs and prosperity for the people of Wales. I am keen to ensure that my constituency continues to play a part in supplying defence capabilities for the nation.

In the 19th century, Merthyr Tydfil, at the height of the industrial revolution, was the largest iron-producing town in the world. The ironworks in my constituency supplied cannons and cannonballs to the Royal Navy, and in the 21st century the workforce at General Dynamics are keen to continue in that tradition. I hope that we can soon move on with Ajax and secure and grow the much-needed jobs in my constituency and across the south Wales valleys.

There is much to be positive about this St David’s day. This Government have delivered the largest budget and spending review settlement since devolution, providing the Welsh Government with a record £22.4 billion a year on average, and the Welsh Government are investing in public services and driving down waiting lists. After years of under-investment under the Tories, the NHS is improving across Wales and right across the UK. As we have heard, waiting lists in Wales have gone down for seven consecutive months, and out-patient appointments are increasing all the time.

The increased national minimum wage and living wage have given a pay rise to 160,000 Welsh workers. For the second year in a row, the state pension is due to increase. From April, the full state pension will increase by 4.8% to £241. Also welcome is the decision to right a historic wrong with the mineworkers’ pension scheme and the British Coal staff superannuation scheme— a real boost to hundreds of ex-miners and their families who will benefit in my constituency.

The last issue I would like to talk about is tourism and the role the valleys play in attracting visitors to Wales. Although tourism is largely devolved to the Welsh Government, there is a role for the UK Government too. In my area, to name a few attractions, we already have Zip World, BikePark Wales, the Summit indoor climbing centre and the new Old Drift wellness centre, which I visited during the February recess. The centre includes a sauna room, but also outdoor tin baths with cold water, which I did not partake in because it was around 2°C and raining. However, there were people enjoying that facility, and the centre is becoming a real attraction in the local area. I am told that that new venture is getting visitors from across Wales and beyond. I very much welcome that new addition to the constituency.

Members may know that earlier this year, Merthyr Tydfil county borough council agreed planning permission for Rhydycar West, a £300 million project that will create the UK’s largest ski slope and a tropical waterpark. That has created huge excitement locally and will also be a very welcome addition to our tourism offer.

The Abernant tunnel is a historic disused railway tunnel built in the 1850s as part of the Vale of Neath railway that links both parts of what is now my constituency, Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare. It has huge potential as a tourist attraction and a new walkway and cycleway link in both communities. Both Rhondda Cynon Taf council and Merthyr Tydfil council are keen to develop its potential. I am working with them to offer support. The tunnel is currently owned by the Department for Transport, but discussions are currently under way to transfer ownership of the tunnel to convert it into a tourist attraction and cycle and walkway.

Cyfarthfa castle is an iconic part of Merthyr Tydfil’s industrial past. It was the home of the Crawshay family and the base for their ironworks, which transformed Merthyr Tydfil during the industrial revolution. Last year, the castle celebrated its 200th anniversary. It received a very welcome royal visit from their Majesties, the King and Queen, on the King’s birthday last November, when the King cut a cake in the shape of a castle that was made by a local person. It was very impressive, I must say—it was a pity to cut it. His Majesty enjoyed the cake, as did all the other people there.

Sadly, the castle and museum are in need of significant repairs. The local authority and the Welsh Government have made financial contributions, and urgent work is under way. A heritage lottery bid is in progress and other forms of funding are being considered. As I said, tourism is mainly devolved to the Welsh Government, but the UK Government may have an interest too, because they occasionally support projects across Wales. Hopefully, all efforts can be looked at to safeguard this historic castle for future generations. It truly is an iconic focal point in the town of Merthyr Tydfil.

In closing, St David said, “Do the little things.” Lots of little improvements, and indeed larger ones, across Wales are gradually improving the lives of my constituents and many others across Wales.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

I am surprised that the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare did not suggest an awayday in the tin baths for his party—maybe next time.

--- Later in debate ---

[Ann Davies]

We are working closely with LINK and the FCA to get as much information as we can to secure a hub. That is what our communities need. They deserve to be able to get to their cash safely.

My community means everything to me. The interwoven history and heritage of Caerfyrddin run through my veins. As I have said before, I have moved only 4 miles in my entire life, and I have no intention of moving any further than that—I love where I live and I love the people there. It is a privilege to live there, and, like others, I want the best for my patch, so I was delighted when a new post office was opened in Whitland after a sustained period of absence.

When we consider access to cash, let us look for opportunities to place a post office within local shops, convenience stores and even pubs. That increases footfall and gives businesses an opportunity to increase turnover and expand naturally. A few villages in my constituency are currently looking for that opportunity. One of them is the township of Laugharne, which is of course famous for the Dylan Thomas boathouse—it is where he wrote “Under Milk Wood”, and he and his wife Caitlin are buried in the churchyard there. These are inevitably decisions for the local community, and I hope that they find a resolution soon.

As David’s last words were “Do the little things”—gwnewch y pethau bychain—I ask for large organisations, such as LINK, the FCA and the Post Office, to collaborate closely with our communities to ensure that access to cash is a reality for everyone. Rural communities are unique, and what works in a city or a large town does not automatically work there. There is no one-size-fits-all solution.

That brings me back to my community. Caerfyrddin is filled with castles, history and heritage, but it is also filled with talent, entrepreneurship and vision. Let us harness those qualities and work together to help the places that we are so proud of to thrive and prosper, in line with what our communities need, want and deserve. Let us do the “pethau bychain” together.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

I do not want to disappoint you, Ms Davies, but I cannot sign your petition, because I have my own petition for a banking hub in the town of Crowborough, which colleagues are more than welcome to sign.