WHILE the Archbishop of Canterbury’s championing of credit unions has led to some embarrassing stories about the Church of England’s pension fund investments; his message should not be ignored.

It was good to see such a prominent public figure drawattention to credit unions and the work they do, and it is finally a topic that is being discussed seriously across Britain.

Since I discovered that more than £1m a year is being borrowed from Wonga in Blaenau Gwent, I have been championing local credit union SmartMoney as a community- based alternative.

Walking around the market in Ebbw Vale, it was fantastic getting a chance to speak to people on the streets about the problem of payday loans.

Nearly everyone spoke about how terrible they are, yet had a story about some family member or friend who has considered or even taken up a loan.

I’m supporting the High Cost Credit Bill in Parliament which seeks effective regulation of the industry, but in the meantime I would encourage people to visit smartmoneycreditunion.co.uk.

THE Home Affairs Select Committee’s ruling on the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent Police was full of conclusions but lacked the further action it seemed to command.

However, it was a damning report into Mr Johnston’s actions and disregard for the process.

We need to be confident that our police are being run well in a time of savage Government cuts, and Mr Johnston has hurt that confidence with his conduct.

He has nowgone on record to say he will be appointing a newChief Constable in September and work to ensure the police have the leadership and stability they require.

I hope that statement will prove to be a correct one in the months and years ahead.

SUMMERis well and truly here with some fantastic weather and the sort of heatwaves we haven’t seen in many a year.

Hopefully August will live up to July’s conditions, but we must also remember some of the very real health risks this weather can pose.

Keep covered up and use sun cream in the hottest hours of the day, and make sure to take in plenty of fluid.

Also check how your neighbours are doing, especially elderly ones – it is all too easy to be overcome in these sorts of temperatures.

WHILE I will be taking the chance to holiday with my family in recess, I’ll also be working in Blaenau Gwent and Westminster. If you have an issue, contact me on nick.smith.mp@parliament.uk or call 01495 313167.