Today I witnessed first hand the devastation that Thursday evening’s flooding has had on the residents of Skewen. My thoughts are with all those affected.

I have been in regular contact with Neath Port Talbot Council leader Rob Jones, local Cllr Mike Harvey, the emergency services, David Rees MS , and also the The Coal Authority which has accepted responsibility. I am also pressing the UK government for financial support, given they have responsibility for the Coal Authority.

The priority now is to get the victims back to their homes as soon as is safe to do so.

I want to end by paying tribute to the local community’s overwhelming number of donations, which are being coordinated brilliantly by the The Salvation Army.