By Becky Gittins

MP for Clwyd East

As it promised to do within the first 100-days in office, the UK Government has unveiled its new Employment Rights Bill – all part of its plan to make work pay.

I really welcome the fact that by updating the UK’s outdated employment laws, the measures outlined will tackle issues around job insecurity, poor productivity and low pay.

Specific measures include an ending of exploitative zero hours contracts and fire and rehire practices, establishing day one rights for paternity, parental and bereavement leave for millions of workers and the strengthening statutory sick pay.

It is important to emphasise that the Bill has been developed in partnership with business and trade unions to get the balance right. For more information please email me: Becky.gittins.mp@parliament.uk

The Government has also announced the funding for the launch of the UK’s first carbon capture sites, including as part of the HyNet cluster covering the North Wales and North West England. This is a big step forward for the development of green energy, bringing in billions of pounds of investment and creating thousands of jobs.

I continue to hold surgeries across the constituency and conduct visits and meetings to local schools, businesses and organisations. Last week, ahead of a debate on animal welfare in the House of Commons, I visited the Almost Home Dogs Rescue near Mold. The team there do a fantastic job and are a credit to our community, however, they had quite a sombre message about the pressure they are under at the moment.

This was something I was able to raise during the debate, where I concentrated most of my comments on the need to ensure that the current system around dog microchipping is fit for purpose. In his response the Minister confirmed that the issues are under very serious consideration. I will continue to work with both the UK and Welsh Government on this issue.

Finally, it was a pleasure to join a talk at Caerwys Town Hall on a Cashless Society. Led by the Payment Choice Alliance, it was a chance to learn about some of the challenges communities, like ours, are facing in terms of getting regular access to cash and banking facilities. Over the last few weeks, I have met with constituents and organisations involved in this space as it is a key area that I will focus on Parliament and across the constituency.