Rhianon Passmore
Welsh Labour and Co-operative Party · Wales
“It's stated by the developers themselves that there would be 10 per hour for up to 10 years throughout the Sirhowy country park, thus disrupting a treasured natural space and impacting nearby communities along that route.”
“I would like to extend my congratulations to the First Minister on a proactive and productive first 100 days in the wake of unfathomable Tory mismanagement, a crippling cost-of-living crisis, shattered public services, a starvation of investment across the UK and high levels of energy insecurity.”
“Remediation has to be a solution that causes less damage and risk and not more, a solution that benefits our landscape and not cause it further harm.”
“Yesterday, at COP29, the Prime Minister said ‘the United Kingdom is determined to stand alongside those countries on the frontline of the climate crisis today, and to seize the opportunities of tomorrow, because action on climate now is the route towards economic growth, energy security, better jobs and national security in the long term.…”
“I've visited many times the Sirhowy country park and met many times with residents, environmentalists and ecologists who all want the best for the park and surrounding areas. They, like me, are passionate and determined in wanting to protect this wonderful area of wildlife, nature and well-being.”
“I very much welcome the committee's report and its robust recommendations around reclamation and remediation in Wales, as we forge a progressive path towards a low-carbon future. And as the Labour representative of this area in Islwyn, I stand firmly in support of our world-leading climate targets.”
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Every one of 12 lines we hold for Rhianon Passmore, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account.
“Yesterday, at COP29, the Prime Minister said ‘the United Kingdom is determined to stand alongside those countries on the frontline of the climate crisis today, and to seize the opportunities of tomorrow, because action on climate now is the route towards economic growth, energy security, better jobs and national security in the long term.' After 14 long years of Tory rule, our UK and our devolved Welsh Government, and our First Minister, although we are devolved, are fully aligned, working together to put our communities, economy and environment first, and this is Labour delivering on its promises to create a sustainable, fairer future for all, and I, for one, am very proud to stand behind it. Diolch yn fawr.”
“Furthermore, the First Minister and the Welsh Labour Government have made clear their commitment to streamlining the planning process, enabling faster decisions for renewable energy projects, green infrastructure and new housing developments. These are policies—proactive policies—aimed at delivering immediate benefits for local communities, while laying the foundation for long-term sustainable growth. In addition to all of this, the UK Labour Government has lifted onshore wind bans, consented to 1.3 GW of solar power projects, announced plans to lift 1 million renters out of fuel poverty, and confirmed funding for 11 new hydrogen projects. And there’s more.”
“Wales was the first nation in the world to declare a climate emergency—a monumental and proud moment, I hope, for us all. Beyond this, we are committed to investing in skills, innovation and infrastructure, creating green jobs, while also delivering on our climate ambitions. This includes roles in renewable energy, sustainable land management and environmental restoration. These are the green jobs of the future, helping to protect our planet, not cull it, and providing Welsh families with financial security and stability, and well-paid jobs. The foundation laid for sustainable agriculture will protect our natural environment, while also protecting all parts of Wales.”
“I would like to extend my congratulations to the First Minister on a proactive and productive first 100 days in the wake of unfathomable Tory mismanagement, a crippling cost-of-living crisis, shattered public services, a starvation of investment across the UK and high levels of energy insecurity. Our First Minister's leadership, and a strong partnership between the Welsh and UK Governments, means that devolved Wales can now move forward, but aligned in co-operation, brokership and with those shared principles that are core. In particular for this debate, I want to highlight the exceptional and welcome partnership between both Labour Governments on the climate crisis. Energy and climate is at the heart of the Labour Government agenda, and we are not wasting a moment in delivering on our commitments.”
“Finally, recommendation 1 of the committee's report states: 'The Welsh Government must ensure that policies regarding opencast coal mining and other mining activities are robust, up-to-date, and provide appropriate protections for local authorities and communities'. I urge the Welsh Government to listen to residents, understand the full impacts of coal and aggregate reclamation and remediation, and ensure we do not have any repeats of Ffos-y-fran in Islwyn and Caerphilly. Diolch.”
“I've visited many times the Sirhowy country park and met many times with residents, environmentalists and ecologists who all want the best for the park and surrounding areas. They, like me, are passionate and determined in wanting to protect this wonderful area of wildlife, nature and well-being. The committee's report recommends that the Welsh Government must consider making a degree of community ownership a requirement for opencast sites and similar developments, including coal tip reclamation sites. Community ownership would allow passionate and knowledgeable local voices access to be heard properly in a reclamation process. So, I urge the Welsh Government to positively consider this recommendation.”
“Remediation has to be a solution that causes less damage and risk and not more, a solution that benefits our landscape and not cause it further harm. This important committee report highlights clearly the devastating impact on communities when things go wrong and companies are allowed to continue with unfair and illegal practices at mining sites. Yes, residents in Islwyn are right to be concerned about precedent in proposed remediation with coal extraction predication. It is critical in Islwyn that the COVID memorial wood where the then First Minister, Mark Drakeford, planted the first tree must be maintained for the community alongside access to the thriving Ynys Hywel community farm in a very special and unique landscape of such importance to my communities.”
“It's stated by the developers themselves that there would be 10 per hour for up to 10 years throughout the Sirhowy country park, thus disrupting a treasured natural space and impacting nearby communities along that route. The general diminishment of leisure centres means that country parks are even more critical for health and well-being in communities. As the representative for these areas, I am obviously concerned about any environmental damage that remediation work could cause, from soil and air pollution to noise disturbance that will impact wildlife and diminish the quality of life for residents. The people of Cwmfelinfach and Ynysddu already carry the weight of Wales's mining history. These communities wear the scars of years of mining activities and the long-term consequences to their health and environment.”
“The environmental impacts, however, of opencast mining are well documented—dust, pollution, noise and habitat loss directly affect the health and well-being of our residents, who rightly expect their communities to be protected. These issues are especially pronounced today in areas like Cwmfelinfach and Ynysddu where today local residents live with the consequences of past extraction activities, and who remain acutely aware of the need for sustainable practices moving forward. The remediation of the Bedwas tip is a challenging undertaking. The current proposed remediation plans predicated on surface coal extraction would require multiple HGV articulated lorry movements.”
“I very much welcome the committee's report and its robust recommendations around reclamation and remediation in Wales, as we forge a progressive path towards a low-carbon future. And as the Labour representative of this area in Islwyn, I stand firmly in support of our world-leading climate targets. Tackling the climate crisis is not just a policy goal—it's a moral imperative, and the challenge of all of us in this era. Today's debate is particularly important for the communities that I represent in Cwmfelinfach, Ynysddu and across Islwyn where the legacy of coal mining has a long reach, and an industrial health legacy of which I carry my own mining family's lung condition.”
“So, therefore, Cabinet Secretary, what assurances can you give to the people of Islwyn that the escalation and intervention arrangements will support our local health board to improve the quality of flow and systems that patients receive from their health service in Islwyn? Diolch.”
“Diolch, Deputy Llywydd. Cabinet Secretary, my constituents in Islwyn see how hard our NHS staff work and will note that Aneurin Bevan University Health Board remains at level 4 for finance strategy and at level 3 for urgent and emergency care performance at the Grange University Hospital. After 14 long years of the de-funding of Welsh Government and Wales, it is now vital that the Welsh Labour Government seize this moment in time offered by the UK Labour Government's recent budget, and continue to broaden the new relationship between administrations. The extra £1.7 billion given to the Welsh Government must be used substantively to drive down NHS waiting times and improve the performance of our Welsh national health service.”