Hywel Francis

Biography

I have been the Labour Member of Parliament for Aberavon since 2001 and was re-elected in May 2005. My main Parliamentary interests include Welsh Affairs, steel, carers, disability, lifelong learning and local environmental issues.

Prior to being Aberavon's MP I was Professor of Continuing Education at Swansea University where I was the founder of the South Wales Miners' Library and a prime-mover in the creation of the Community University of the Valleys. My main work was to provide part-time study opportunities for adults in the local community. I continue my links with the University as chair of its Richard Burton Advisory Board.
I served as Special Policy Adviser to the Secretary of State for Wales Rt. Hon Paul Murphy MP in 1999-2000.

In the last Parliament I successfully sponsored the Carers Equal Opportunities Act 2004 and was a member of the Welsh Affairs Committee. I was elected the new Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee in July 2005. I was the chair of the All Party Steel and Cast Metal Group and I am currently the chair of the All Party Carers Group and I have been made Vice-President of Carers UK and Honorary Parliamentary Patron of the adult learners' body, NIACE.

Following a question I asked the Prime Minister on 8th March I will lead a delegation of MPs and carers organisations to meet him to discuss ways of improving carers benefits.

I am actively involved in a wide range of organisations in my Constituency. I am President of Côr Meibion Aberafan, Port Talbot Town Cricket Club, the South Wales Miners' Museum, Briton Ferry Brunel Dock Regeneration Programme, Port Talbot Epilepsy Support Group and the Neath Port Talbot Carers Action Movement, as well as Honorary Life Member of SNAC, The Port Talbot children's disability club and Vice-President of Aberavon RFC.

My Early Day Motion on Carers and Flexible Working attracted the support of over 300 MPs, amongst the largest support of any EDM since the General Election.

I have always taken an active part in all-Wales issues and I am Welsh speaking. I was made a member of the Gorsedd in 1986, was the chair of the Wales Congress in Support of Mining Communities in 1984-86 and national convenor of the Yes for Wales Campaign in 1997.

I am the founding chair of the Paul Robeson Wales Trust and a founder and trustee of the Bevan Foundation, an independent think-tank in Wales. I am also patron of the Josef Herman Foundation. I am involved in all these activities because I have a strong commitment to social justice and equality.
I was chosen ‘Campaigner of the Year for 2006' by ITV1 Wales for my work on behalf of carers and most recently received a Development Trust Association Award for supporting local community groups.

As Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee I have led the current inquiry on cross-border public services in Wales and the potential benefits of the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics. The committee has recently published its major report on Globalisation and on cross-border health policies.

The Committee has commenced its inquiry on digital inclusion and its scrutiny of legislative competence orders on carers and the Welsh language.

My interests include cinema, walking, reading and writing on Welsh history (I have recently completed a history of the 1984-85 miners' strike as it affected Wales).

April 2009