Another busy week in Parliament saw me speak on a number of issues, including green transport, rights for LGBT+ Christians, extreme far right organisations, deportation flights and Windrush.

During an Opposition Day Debate on transport, I highlighted the difference between the UK Government’s approach and that being taken here in Wales, where the Welsh Labour Government is working to ensure more people have access to green public transport.

In Church Commissioners Questions, I asked what steps the Church is taking to support equality for LGBT+ Christians in the UK, following concerns about recent pastoral guidance which suggested sexual relationships outside heterosexual marriage fall ‘short of God’s purpose for human beings’.

The Archbishops have apologised, but I asked: “Does he recognise the concern within the Anglican communion that this sends a message of non-inclusivity at the start of LGBT History Month, which is greatly regrettable?”

In Home Office questions, I said: “We face a growing threat from extreme right-wing organisations. The Minister will be aware of incidents in my own community. Why have the Government not yet proscribed these organisations, and what steps will they take to review the situation urgently?”

And I asked Home Office ministers why we should trust them over deportation flights when there are serious unresolved concerns about the Windrush scandal and wider detention and deportation policies.

I said: “The Minister is asking us to trust a Department and system that have had repeated and costly failures. He admitted that the Home Office had wrongly detained 312 people at a cost of £8.2 million in compensation in just one year, 2018-19. He still refuses to give us the statistics on wrongful deportations and the associated costs.”

On a different note, it was a pleasure to welcome the Welsh Combat Regiments to Parliament this week for an annual reception. The Royal Welsh, The Welsh Guards and The Queen’s Dragoon Guards were all represented – and as Vice-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Army Group and someone with a family history in our armed forces, it is always a proud moment to welcome them to Westminster and to personally thank them for their service.

On Saturday, I held a busy surgery in Penarth along with local Labour councillors, offering support to constituents with a range of issues.

Parliament rises for recess today (Thursday) so there won’t be a column from me next week, but we’re back the following Monday, so my next column will be on February 27.