· IT WAS a day that started with promise and ended in blissful victory: Newport County carried on their successful end to the season with a famous win to see us

stay in the Football League.  It was a fantastic atmosphere at Rodney Parade with a sell-out crowd.  Huge congratulations to the players, management, staff and board.  We are all very proud of you. 

· The Welsh Labour Government has launched a major recruitment campaign to attract more nurses to work in Wales.   The campaign is being targeted at newly qualified

nurses, more experienced nurses and those who have stopped practicing but are looking to return to the profession.  I’m delighted that the Cabinet Secretary Vaughan Gethin AM has confirmed that nurses in Wales will continue to receive bursaries next year. 

This is in contrast to England where bursaries for tuition fees and living costs have been removed.   

Nurses and public health specialists, including health visitors, who have been out of practice are eligible for a £1,000 bursary to update their

skills, while midwives can receive a £1,500 bursary if they come back into the profession.  As with this year’s students, those who receive the bursary in 2018-19 will have to work in Wales for at least two years after they have qualified. 

 · To celebrate International Day of the Midwife, I visited the Royal Gwent Hospital to speak with midwifes and everyone who

supports them from healthcare support workers, cleaners and clerks.  Midwifes are at some of the best moments in people’s lives and can be a huge support at some of the most difficult times. 

It really takes a special sort of person to do the job (as the daughter of a Community Midwife I would say that!).  The contribution they make in caring for mothers and

babies can’t be underestimated.  So to all those Midwifes – thank you.

 · Congratulations to all Councillors elected to Newport City Council. 

I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the Leader of Newport City Council, Debbie Wilcox and all of the new Councillors for the benefit of our City. 

 · It seems to be the season of elections with the General Election on June 8th.  Both our Paul Flynn and Jessica Morden have a strong record of working and speaking

up for people in Newport.  I am proud to support them both as the Welsh Labour candidates for the City.