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First Minister pledges to ‘deliver even more’ for Wales in final year of Senedd term

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Eluned Morgan outlines key achievements and renewed priorities

FIRST MINISTER Eluned Morgan has pledged to “deliver even more for the people of Wales” as the Welsh Government enters the final year of the current Senedd term.

Addressing the Senedd on Tuesday (Jul 15), the First Minister highlighted major policy progress across four key areas: health, housing, transport, and jobs. Her speech came during a Welsh Government debate ahead of the summer recess.

Health: Longest NHS waits slashed

Eluned Morgan said the government had made significant headway in cutting NHS waiting times, with the longest waits reduced by 86% since their peak during the Covid pandemic. In June, ministers announced an additional £120 million to reduce waiting lists by 200,000 patients, eliminate all two-year waits, and restore a maximum eight-week wait for diagnostic tests.

The First Minister also reaffirmed her commitment to improving services for women, with Women’s Health Hubs expected to be operational in every health board by March 2026.

Housing: Record social housing investment

The Welsh Government has invested nearly £2 billion in social housing during this Senedd term—its most ambitious commitment to date. Annual housing delivery rates have reached their highest levels since 2008, helping more people across Wales to access secure and affordable homes.

Transport: New trains, cheaper fares, and fewer potholes

The government has committed more than £800 million to a new train fleet and over £1 billion to upgrade the Core Valley Lines. Passenger journeys on the Transport for Wales network have increased by 19% in the past year—the highest growth among UK rail operators.

A new Bus Services (Wales) Bill was introduced in March, and £1 bus fares for young people will begin in September. By the end of 2025, the government aims to fix or prevent at least 200,000 potholes.

Jobs: Youth support and global investment

Over £600 million has been invested in Welsh businesses since 2021, supporting the creation of 42,000 jobs. The Young Person’s Guarantee has already helped more than 57,000 young people into training or employment. Wales is also set to host an International Investment Summit in December to attract further global interest.

‘We’re charging ahead’ – First Minister

Reflecting on her time in office since taking over as First Minister in August 2024, Eluned Morgan said:

“When I became First Minister last August, and after a summer listening exercise, I was clear—of the people’s priorities, delivery comes first. Real change—change people can feel in their lives.

This government isn’t standing still—we’re charging ahead. We’re rolling up our sleeves, getting stuck in, and delivering on what really matters.

With a renewed focus, we’re going to finish this term by delivering even more for the people of Wales.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

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A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

  • Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
  • Common assault
  • Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

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Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

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Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

  • Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
  • A second count of assault
  • Criminal damage
  • An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
  • A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

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Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

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Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

  • Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
  • Intentional non-fatal strangulation
  • Common assault on a woman
  • Criminal damage in a domestic context
  • Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
  • Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.

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