COST of living issues are now central to debate in the country.

It is a fact that in recent years wages have not kept pace with prices.

Indeed food and energy inflation has spiralled in the last three years.

This puts massive pressure on households on Anglesey and across the country.
I raised this matter during Labour’s debate in the House of Commons.

Labour leader Ed Miliband has taken the lead on these issues and is developing policies to tackle the challenges we face. 

The Government is complacent – 2.49 million people are unemployed in the UK.
On Anglesey it is stubbornly high with nearly 1,800 claimants.

On top of this there are many in unsuitable part-time work or zero hours contracts.

This is leading to stagnation as we had in the 1980s and early 1990s, and is in sharp contrast to the period between 1997 and 2007 when an additional 7,000 jobs were created.

The global recession did take its toll, but since 2010 we have had an economic standstill.
That is why we need a focus on jobs and why I have led on Wylfa B and why we need to put a pro-jobs, pro-Anglesey vision back on the agenda.

Some difficult decisions will have to be taken. We need to grow local businesses in conjunction with inward investment to rebuild the economy, and balance the economic benefits with environmental and cultural considerations.

This is the case with the recent debate surrounding Land and Lakes that has divided opinion.

However, there is a consensus on jobs.

I use the Penrhos Park and want to continue to do so.

I also want a much needed boost to the economy that brings jobs and confidence to the Island.

In the constituency, I met with local businesses, the police and individuals.

I also held advice surgeries and attended open meetings in Llangefni and Holyhead on the future of Crown Postal Services.