I would like to share with you some of the work I have been doing since being elected to the Senedd in May.

The Welsh Government’s announcement of a freeze on all new road infrastructure projects pending a review has been met with dismay across Wales.

I asked the Welsh Government to allow discussions exploring the feasibility of a Chepstow bypass to go ahead since it will require agreement between a number of stakeholders.

They replied that building bypasses diverts funding away from more sustainable forms of transport and they didn’t believe endless bypasses and motorway studies would help with the problem of congestion.

Many people have contacted me about the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road to ask why after the Welsh Government spent millions of pounds on improvements to make the road safer have they imposed a speed limit of 50 mph on the stretch between Gilwern and Brynmawr and I intend to pursue these issues when the Senedd reconvenes.

I also visited the award winning Mayberry Pharmacy to hear about the challenges facing pharmacists in Wales.

They have lodged an appeal after being refused planning permission to install an automated prescription collection service allowing patients to collect prescriptions 24/7.

I fully support their plans to give patients more convenience and flexibility.

I met with representatives of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association Wales to discuss the challenges facing the construction industry and was shocked to hear about how poor payment practices have such a detrimental impact on the industry’s ability to invest, grow and to deliver better value.

Retentions are a particular bone of contention and I fully support proposals that retention monies should be ringfenced and will be raising this with Governments both here and at Westminster.

Last week, I met with the Wales Refugee Council.

We have all been shocked by the terrible scenes of people crammed on overcrowded boats risking their lives to cross the channel.

I hope that Britain will always be a welcoming home for those seeking asylum and escaping persecution. But we cannot allow the international criminal trade in people trafficking to grow and to flourish.

We must provide a safe haven for those fleeing persecution, oppression or tyranny and end the disgrace of criminal people trafficking.

Wales would like to become ‘A nation of sanctuary’ but I would really like to know what exactly that entails for refugees and Welsh residents.