Gill German
MP for Clwyd North · Labour · United Kingdom
“Many seaside towns, like Rhyl and Colwyn Bay in my Clwyd North constituency, are working really hard to regenerate their high streets and attract investment.”
“I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Denbigh youth shed, led by the inspirational Scott Jenkinson. Youth Shedz is youth-led, with young people in leadership roles shaping their own activities, ranging from upcycling old guitars to creating comfort packs for children going into care.”
“That feeling of security also means tackling the root causes of the high cost of living, not just the symptoms. The energy independence Bill will reduce reliance on volatile global markets and deliver more secure, home-grown energy to stabilise and lower bills for households in Clwyd North.”
“Things feel insecure right now, whether that is because of the war in Iran, the cost of living pressures on families or the sense that systems are not working quite right. In Clwyd North, I hear that all the time.”
“I want to make sure that those people know that they are heard and that things can and will get better. We must be honest about the challenges, but focus on what matters to people: building something that works better.”
“These changes matter because of the difference they make to everyday life, with fairer work, stronger families and safer communities here at home. The need to feel secure is important to us all. In this King’s Speech, we are taking crucial steps to strengthen security, because people deserve to feel safe.”
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“Many seaside towns, like Rhyl and Colwyn Bay in my Clwyd North constituency, are working really hard to regenerate their high streets and attract investment. Can the Home Secretary confirm that the high streets organised crime unit will ensure that coastal towns facing issues with organised criminal activity receive the same support as larger urban centres?”
“I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Denbigh youth shed, led by the inspirational Scott Jenkinson. Youth Shedz is youth-led, with young people in leadership roles shaping their own activities, ranging from upcycling old guitars to creating comfort packs for children going into care. The Government have recently published the youth justice White Paper, in which early intervention and improving consistency are clear priorities. Will the Leader of the House agree to a debate in Government time on support for community-led youth organisations that are engaging with our young people, so that Ministers can outline how initiatives such as Youth Shedz can access sustainable funding and can be expanded across the country?”
“The railways Bill will unify track and train under one body, and give the Welsh Government a stronger role. Backed by a £14 billion plan, it will improve connections, support 12,000 jobs, and make journeys across north Wales more reliable. Given that such an ambitious plan has been set, we need all hands on deck to put it into action. I promise to play my part and to make a tangible difference to lives across Clwyd North, delivering real improvements and lasting change for the communities that I am proud to serve.”
“That feeling of security also means tackling the root causes of the high cost of living, not just the symptoms. The energy independence Bill will reduce reliance on volatile global markets and deliver more secure, home-grown energy to stabilise and lower bills for households in Clwyd North. Changes to commonhold and leasehold will tackle the unfair ground rents and rising service charges about which I have heard too often in my constituency. For local businesses, the commercial payments Bill will crack down on the scourge of late payments, which is currently leading to the closure of a shocking 38 businesses a day. Taken together, those changes will ease pressure on families, support local economies, and build long-term resilience against rising costs. Security means better connections too.”
“These changes matter because of the difference they make to everyday life, with fairer work, stronger families and safer communities here at home. The need to feel secure is important to us all. In this King’s Speech, we are taking crucial steps to strengthen security, because people deserve to feel safe. The Armed Forces Bill delivers a long overdue boost to defence spending, strengthens reserve forces, improves the service justice system and puts the armed forces covenant into law, which my local veterans have said is much needed. Security also means stronger communities and shared purpose. Cutting bureaucracy, increasing police presence and introducing a national digital ID system will help people feel safer and better supported.”
“This Government have already delivered significant achievements, passing 50 Acts in our first parliamentary Session. Behind every piece of legislation are real people and real lives. Among that legislation is the Employment Rights Act 2025, which strengthens protections, improves pay and tackles exploitative practices for people across Clwyd North. The removal of the two-child limit is set to benefit around 69,000 children in Wales, including 3,100 in Clwyd North. That is not an abstract number; that is families feeling more stability. When it comes to safety, the Crime and Policing Act 2026 responds to local concerns about antisocial behaviour, introducing tougher action to improve our town centres.”
“I want to make sure that those people know that they are heard and that things can and will get better. We must be honest about the challenges, but focus on what matters to people: building something that works better. In Wales, that means a relentless focus on building a stronger and fairer future, helping families with the cost of living, strengthening our communities through better connections and opportunities, and improving our energy and, crucially, national security. It is about making sure that progress is felt in everyday life, especially in communities that have been historically left behind. It is about recognising how rich and varied Wales is with our cities, countryside and coast, and recognising that that requires a tailored approach to reflect different needs.”
“Things feel insecure right now, whether that is because of the war in Iran, the cost of living pressures on families or the sense that systems are not working quite right. In Clwyd North, I hear that all the time. When families are struggling and young people do not feel that they have a fair chance, it erodes their trust in the belief that things can start getting better, and it creates a feeling of insecurity. Building up that trust starts with clearly defining what we have put in place in our first two years of Government, and how our future actions will improve people’s lives. I know from speaking to people in Rhyl, in Colwyn Bay, in Abergele, in Denbigh and in communities across Clwyd North that my constituency is full of decent people trying to do the right thing day by day.”
“I am so pleased that early intervention and working with families is at the heart of this Government’s approach. As a former cabinet member for children’s services in Denbighshire, I know how important that is. Will my right hon. Friend set out how increased investment in programmes such as Turnaround will help children in Clwyd North before they enter the justice system?”
“One of my main priorities as an MP is to ensure that we see more of our young people in good, fulfilling work, because I know that far too many young people in Clwyd North are unable to fulfil their potential. I am excited about the £3,000 youth jobs grant and the expansion of the youth guarantee in Wales, but can the Secretary of State tell me more about the difference this will make to young people in Clwyd North?”
“In short, I can see first hand from being out and about in Clwyd North that Government-backed initiatives are being backed up by the local police’s confidence to really tackle issues. We have more PCSOs in our neighbourhoods, safer streets and stronger local communities. It makes a real difference and makes people feel secure.”
“That kind of everyday co-operation is making a difference by deterring antisocial behaviour before it escalates, reassuring residents and businesses with a visible presence, and bringing a sense of order and safety, which is so important. That really matters because it shows people that antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated, and that our communities, and crucially our high streets, belong to the law-abiding majority. We have got more PCSOs in every Clwyd North neighbourhood with a named officer in each one. We have got local initiatives, such as Operation Restore and Operation Vroom, to tackle violent offences, antisocial behaviour and persistent nuisance behaviour like e-bikes and disruption on our streets.”
“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Dowd. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Derby South (Baggy Shanker) for securing the debate. Improving community safety in Clwyd North is one of my top priorities. It has been great to work alongside North Wales police through meetings and walkabouts, and to talk directly to retail workers and residents out and about in the town centre. I have seen how antisocial behaviour is being tackled through better community cohesion. Local PCSOs and shopkeepers are connected by radio in our town centres, staying in regular contact so that they can quickly share information about what is happening on the street and, crucially, step in when issues arise.”
“It is exactly the kind of action we need to support families of all shapes and sizes after 14 years of Tory austerity, which have left far too many children in poverty. Although it might seem obvious, I want to emphasise that children are part of these families; they do not exist in a bubble, and they cannot disappear when life gets tough. Supporting families makes children better off. Families face a range of circumstances, often unexpected, and every child deserves to have their needs met regardless of that. Poverty in childhood does nothing but cost society in the long term. Children growing up in poverty are less likely to work as adults, and by the age of 30 they earn 25% less on average.”
“I know all too well the difference this Bill will make for families across the country. In my constituency, I have seen far too many families struggling to make ends meet. Indeed, that reality was a huge part of what drove me to this place from my primary school classroom and a lead role in local government, so I am pleased and proud to welcome and support the Bill today and the tangible difference it will make in Clwyd North and beyond. It is important to note that the Bill has been fully costed and is part of an overall strategy. Everyone can call for something, but we have made it happen. Across Wales, this change will help 69,000 children, including 3,100 children in my Clwyd North constituency. I cannot overstate how deeply this change is needed and how proud I am to see it delivered under this Labour Government.”
“It is absolutely right that this cap is being lifted here and now, but we must remember that the very best way to ensure that children live well is to ensure that their families are supported and are in fairly paid, reliable work. That must be our relentless focus if we are to reduce our shocking child poverty figures, not just for today, but for generations to come.”
“We need parents and families in reliable, fairly paid work to see child poverty off for good. We must rebuild our economy after it was decimated in the worst way. We must create clear pathways into work for young people and those locked out of employment. We must equip people with the skills that are needed for today’s jobs and the jobs of the future, and we must ensure that we have the transport, childcare and infrastructure that are needed so that people can get to work in the first place. I will work tirelessly to ensure that those opportunities are open to people in Clwyd North, particularly our young people. My constituency is ideally placed between two major investment zones, and it is my responsibility to ensure that my residents benefit from the opportunities that that brings.”
“Although those initiatives are invaluable, I have heard repeatedly for many years, including as the chair of the all-party parliamentary group on children in Wales, from organisations such as Barnardo’s Cymru, Citizens Advice Wales and Save the Children Wales that the single most effective step to lift children out of poverty would be to remove the two-child cap. Now, finally, with a Labour Government in Westminster, we have done exactly that, and we have done it in a measured, fully costed way that accounts for every penny needed. Those organisations have long sounded the alarm, and I am proud that it is our Labour Government who have taken action. As the MP for Clwyd North, I know exactly what I want to see. We need a long-term solution to child poverty.”
“I absolutely agree. Every child deserves the chance to fulfil their potential, and it is our responsibility to make that happen. I am proud that a Labour Government in Wales have led the way with practical initiatives to support children, including free breakfast in primary schools since 2004, protected by legislation since 2013; universal free school meals for primary school children since 2022—I was incredibly proud to be part of rolling that out across Clwyd North; statutory guidance on school uniform branding that has been in place for years; and the school essentials grant, to help with the cost of going to school.”
“This is brilliant news today, not just for the north of England but for north Wales too. With investment already in place for the north Wales main line, it will give us better connectivity for tourism, employment and leisure to our great northern cities and beyond. Does the Secretary of State agree with me that we must continue to work together cross-border to give my constituents the seamless transport system that they deserve?”
“I warmly welcome the not just one, but two offshore wind projects in Wales, with billions of pounds in investment and thousands of new jobs putting Wales firmly on the map as a clean energy producer. We are delighted to see Awel y Môr in north Wales, and the benefits for Clwyd North are clear—skilled, well-paid local jobs and a huge boost for local supply chains. Along with new nuclear at Wylfa, north Wales is finally getting the clean energy investment it deserves under this Labour Government. May I thank the Secretary of State for this investment in north Wales, and will he join me in meeting the apprentices at Coleg Llandrillo who are already training for these jobs of the future?”
“I warmly welcome the second rise in the national minimum wage under this Government. Some 160,000 workers in Wales have already benefited since the rise in April. Many of them are younger workers, particularly in the retail and hospitality sector, which is so important to my constituency at Christmas and beyond. What assessment has been made of the impact of the national minimum wage rise on younger workers, and what progress has been made on equalising the national minimum wage with the national minimum wage for under-21s?”
“A £20 million neighbourhood fund in Rhyl will begin to deliver what our local community has called for: investment in our town centre, new skills for our workforce and real progress in tackling unemployment. My priority as MP is to see that record investment in north Wales delivering a better future for the people of Clwyd North, and to ensure that every family and every community in Clwyd North can share in the region’s and the country’s future success. The Budget makes honest and hopeful choices, choices that build a stronger, fairer country where living standards rise, child poverty falls and communities like mine in Clwyd North can truly thrive.”
“These changes are not before time. Last week, the Welsh index of multiple deprivation showed yet again that areas in Rhyl in Clwyd North, my constituency, are among the most deprived in Wales. This cannot continue. Change is urgent, and the measures taken in this Budget could not be more crucial. But make no mistake: economic growth and addressing the root causes of deprivation must also be at the heart of everything we do. Today, our Chancellor is at an international investment summit in Wales, and recent announcements show that north Wales is finally receiving the investment that our communities deserve. There is the Flintshire and Wrexham investment zone and the north Wales AI growth zone, and there are clean energy jobs at Wylfa. We are seeing meaningful action on regeneration.”
“It cuts bills, with £150 off energy costs and an expansion to the warm home discount; it freezes fuel duty; and it delivers the biggest wage boost in a generation. But the change I am most proud of, the one that will transform lives in my constituency, is the removal of the two-child limit to universal credit. I am proud, too, that this is fully costed, as it always needed to be. Child poverty in Wales has hit record levels, with organisations such as Children in Wales and the Bevan Foundation sounding the alarm again and again. This action will help 69,000 children across Wales, including 3,100 children in my constituency. This is exactly the kind of change I came into politics to deliver—practical support that protects children, strengthens families and gives every young person the chance to reach their potential.”
“I came into this place driven to make life better for the struggling families I saw each and every day as a teacher, and as council lead for education. That purpose guides me every day. I have seen far too many families fighting to get by, so this Budget feels personal to me, because it makes fair, responsible choices, rooted in compassion, security and opportunity, for Wales and the whole of the UK. For far too long, Britain has been held back. Now, it is starting to turn a corner. Our economy is performing better than expected, and wages are rising, but I know that too many families still feel the cost of living squeeze. This Budget takes real, practical steps to help families in Wales.”
“Q10. With miles of golden sand and a bucketful of memories, Rhyl has been attracting visitors for generations. After millions of pounds of Welsh Government investment, and a £20 million UK Government neighbourhood fund, Rhyl is on the up. Does the Prime Minister agree that only with two Labour Governments working together can we restore pride in our Welsh seaside towns, and will he join me for a stroll on our new promenade to see just what Rhyl has to offer?”
“By showcasing these opportunities, we can inspire the next generation of creatives to dream big and believe in their potential, strengthening not only the economic future of our country, but the cultural richness that defines who we are.”
“Seeing Welsh creatives succeed on the national and international stage gives young people tangible examples of what is possible, inspiring them to explore and pursue their own creative paths. That sense of hope and possibility is every bit as important as the economic impact. I have always been and will continue to be a staunch supporter of the creative sector. I am passionate about ensuring that young people see careers in the arts and creative industries as not only available, but achievable. Role models matter. When our young people see designers and artists from Wales and other parts of the UK succeeding on a global stage such as London Fashion Week, it shows them that they too could follow that path.”
“Baa Stool—pun intended—in Denbigh complements this creative ecosystem, providing tools and materials for local makers and craftspeople, and ensuring that people who are looking to pursue creative careers have access to the supplies, advice and community that they need, right on their doorstep. The opportunities that London Fashion Week provides show what can be achieved when talent is given the right platform. If the same visibility and support were extended to creative hubs across the UK, including in Wales, we could unlock even more potential. By investing in regional infrastructure and nurturing local talent, we can ensure that the creative industries thrive across all our nations and regions. London Fashion Week is not just about the designers on the runway. It is also about the inspiration that they spark.”
“In my constituency of Clwyd North, the transformative power of creativity is clear in businesses such as the Lost Sheep Company in Colwyn Bay. With the aim of championing Welsh wool, it has grown into a heritage crafts centre that blends creativity with community enterprise, and I was pleased to see its staff at No. 10 as part of the Prime Minister’s celebration of St David’s day. To champion wool, it takes Welsh products out into the world. That small business has an impact right at the heart of my community; it is a great example of how art, craft and tradition can come together to support rural economies, celebrate local identity and inspire new generations to embark on creative pathways.”
“The iconic Welsh designer David Emanuel, who designed Princess Diana’s wedding dress, called Ashley an inspiration. Wales has other designers who are well known across the world, such as Julien Macdonald, whose international client list includes Victoria Beckham and Beyoncé. New to the scene, we have Jayne Pierson, who is focusing on showcasing Welsh heritage to the world, having played a huge role in shaping the global fashion scene. I have not mentioned these people just to boast about the cultural and economic impacts that Wales has had across the world. What is more pertinent is the hope that young people, in Wales and beyond, gain when they see the success of our designers. They see that a creative career is not out of reach and that they too can make their mark.”
“As a Welsh MP, I am pleased to say that Welsh designers show that the UK’s creative excellence extends far beyond London. Across Wales, a vibrant tapestry of designers, artisans and makers are drawing inspiration from their rich cultural heritage, producing innovative works that resonate on both the national and the international stage. The impact of Welsh designers on British fashion over the years has been undeniable. Laura Ashley, whose designs were sported by Princess Diana, still holds a place in contemporary fashion. Ashley herself noted that she owed much of her success to the hard-working people of mid-Wales. Local women flocked to her Carno factory, making it the largest employer in north Powys. Her influence extended to her community, which is so important.”
“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dr Murrison. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Rosie Wrighting) on bringing this debate to Westminster Hall. It is important, but it is also celebratory; I do not think we do enough of that in this House, so I am glad to see the subject debated today. Our creative industries are central to driving growth. They are not only powerful economic drivers, but a source of huge cultural influence across the world, which is why they are at the heart of our industrial strategy. London Fashion Week exemplifies that impact. It provides a unique global stage for both established and emerging talent, showcasing British creativity to the world and reinforcing the UK’s position as a hub for innovation in fashion. Welsh designers are very much a part of this creative story.”
“Ensuring that our town centres are safe, vibrant and welcoming is hugely important in Clwyd North. I warmly welcome the Government’s safer streets summer initiative in Rhyl and Colwyn Bay. From walkabouts I have done recently with local police, it is clear that a strong community police presence is crucial to tackling antisocial behaviour where it arises. Will the Home Secretary ensure that North Wales police have all the resources they need all year around in Rhyl, Denbigh, Abergele and Colwyn Bay to help build back our town centres?”
“The necessity of these in 21st-century Britain is a stain on our country, so when I hear Conservative Members talk about benefits culture, blaming people for their financial struggles and telling them to live within their means, I am frankly staggered, because it is their inaction and shoulder-shrugging that has led us to where we are today.”
“Tackling the causes of child poverty is the reason I came into this place. As a teacher and then cabinet member for education, I know only too well about the child poverty that has grown for over a decade—I could see it happening before my eyes. In Wales, much has already been put in place to mitigate the impact, including in my own work: long-established free breakfast clubs, work to lower the cost of the school day and universal free school meals in every primary school. There is also the incredible work that my local schools do, with family support spaces, banks of winter coats and food banks—yes, food banks—in schools, to make sure that children go home to a proper meal.”
“I thank the right hon. Member for his intervention, but to be frank, I do not recognise any of it. The Tories sat on their hands and allowed low-paid work to grow, access to work to dwindle, welfare dependency to deepen and daily living costs to soar.”
“That is what action looks like—not indifference, not inertia, and not blaming those who are in need of support. I know only too well that the drivers of child poverty are complex and multifaceted, but we must not shy away from that complexity. That is why I am proud that one of this Government’s first actions was to begin work on a child poverty strategy where, importantly, everything is on the table to drive down poverty and drive up opportunity.”
“I have just given way, so I will make some progress. I came to this place because I did not want to mitigate the impact of child poverty any more—I wanted to do something about it. That is exactly what this Labour Government are doing, by boosting the minimum wage, taking others on the pay scale up with it; by investing in getting people trapped outside the labour market into work—the surest route out of poverty in the long term for them and the generations that follow; by negotiating trade deals to bring food costs down; by expanding the warm home discount, so that almost 1 million more families can afford to pay their bills, and investing in our own clean energy to bring those bills down for good; by increasing the standard rate of universal credit above inflation for the first time ever; and by establishing a fair payment rate for those who find themselves immediately in arrears with universal credit, which is a recognised driver for food bank use—an early action towards our manifesto promise to end mass food bank dependence for good.”
“I am just about to finish, if the hon. Gentleman will forgive me. I look forward to the findings of the child poverty taskforce in the autumn. More than that, I look forward to getting to work to make child poverty a thing of the past, so that we can continue to act, rather than to blame as the motion does today. We must put child poverty into the dustbin of history, where it belongs.”
“The hon. Member speaks with passion about coastal communities, and I share that passion because I also represent a coastal community. I am pleased that some of the barriers he has highlighted are in fact being addressed in my coastal community through the work there that has now been chosen as a trailblazer. Transport is one of those barriers, and the organisation working in Clywd North will break down transport barriers by finding routes and ways for people to get into training and work, and by paying for their transport as well. I know that the trailblazers are looking to roll that out countrywide at the end of the process. Does he agree that things can be done to overcome those barriers, including in our coastal communities?”
“Areas such as mine have sought to fill this gap, with services that create bespoke pathways to work—like the pathway trod by my constituent whose life changed forever when he was helped out of his bedroom, which he had stayed in for years while struggling with his mental health, and into stable work in our local hospitality sector. There are many more like him. We must turbocharge that support, working closely with health services to provide the wraparound care that people need. And, as an inactivity trailblazer area, Clwyd North is determined to lead this effort. Reform is endlessly challenging, but it is necessary as the system we inherited is not working. It is a hugely ambitious challenge and requires us to be bold and determined. I came into politics to be bold, and I will work tirelessly to make real change happen.”
“However, it is also right to recognise that the system is not working as it should be. It is right that we recognise that too many believe that they have nothing to offer and that their health, and particularly their mental health, defines what they can do. It is also right that we stop that belief being passed on to the next generation—something I have seen far too often as a teacher—and stop too many young people feeling that they do not belong in the social networks and financial independence that good work provides. The expected soaring reliance on PIP reflects the woeful lack of health and local support that has been offered until now.”
“One constituent said to me: “Every time I turn on the news, it’s there. I’ve looked at the changes and I know they won’t affect my payments, but I keep wondering if I’ve got it right…and it’s causing me real anxiety.” That level of fear is hugely regrettable, and is a responsibility we all share. Thanks to the incredible support of advice organisations in Clwyd North, many of my constituents have navigated the complex PIP system—one, by the way, that is too reliant on appeals and outside agencies—and now have some stability in meeting daily costs, which remain far too high for far too many. It is right that the Government have listened to these concerns, and I welcome the Government’s amendments to protect existing claimants and the accelerated review of PIP assessments with a stronger commitment to co-production with disabled people.”
“I wholeheartedly welcome this as part of the Government’s wider efforts to rebalance universal credit to better reward work and improve basic adequacy, along with an end to reassessment for those with the most severe conditions and an end to work capability assessments, as well as the right to try work without the risk of losing existing entitlements and crucial increased investment in health and into work pathways. However, the undeniable focus of the Bill has been changes to the personal independence payment. I truly thank my Clwyd North constituents for their time and their trust in sharing their stories so openly. To them, I say: I hear you, and will continue to represent you. So many of my constituents have been desperately worried about what the eligibility changes mean for them; this concern is real, and it must be taken seriously.”
“It is safe to say that the topic of today’s debate has been my overriding focus in recent months. I thank my constituents and all organisations for their input, as well as the Secretary of State and the wider DWP team for listening to concerns, and indeed for acting on them with recent amendments. The Bill will raise the universal credit standard allowance by the largest increase since the 1970s. It will help 3.9 million families with an average gain of £265 a year, bringing us closer, finally, to ensuring that every family can afford the essentials without relying on charity or community support.”
“By connecting young people with opportunities, and sharing real stories like Jack’s, we can show that success is possible for everyone, no matter where they are from. Let us keep building pathways so that every young person has the chance to turn their talents into real opportunities and a bright future.”
“His journey began at Rhyl high school and Prestatyn sixth form, where dedicated teachers and the support of the Seren Network helped him to realise his potential. Seren is a Welsh Government programme that supports more able and talented learners in state schools and colleges to reach top universities and careers, helping to ensure that academic ability leads to real opportunity. Jack’s story is not just about his success; he now champions social mobility and visits local schools, including Rhyl high. He is living proof that background should never limit ambition, and he is using his voice to tell others. We need more Jacks—more stories of local success and resilience that are shared openly to raise aspirations and broaden horizons.”
“That is powerful, as it not only grows our future workforce, but broadens young people’s horizons and ideas about what success looks like close to home. We should also recognise the transformative power of role models. When a young person sees someone from their own community succeed in law, engineering or the arts, it sends a powerful message: “Your ambitions are valid and achievable.” One brilliant example is the extraordinary Jack Bailey, a Rhyl lad through and through. He is a shining example of what can be achieved with talent, determination and the right support. Jack is now an associate at a global law firm, having graduated from Cambridge University with a first-class degree in law.”