Candidates say residents must be heard after emergency services decision

PLAID CYMRU candidates for the Ceredigion Penfro constituency will host a public meeting in Pembrokeshire to discuss concerns over the future of services at Withybush Hospital.

The event will take place at 6:30pm on Monday (Mar 31) at Letterston Village Hall, giving residents the opportunity to share their experiences and concerns following Hywel Dda University Health Board’s decision last month to remove emergency general surgery from the hospital.

Campaigners say the move will force many patients requiring urgent treatment to travel further for care, raising fears about the potential impact on patient safety in rural west Wales.

Elin Jones, Plaid Cymru lead candidate for Ceredigion Penfro, said: “Withybush is such an important hospital for the community and residents of Pembrokeshire. The decision to remove its emergency general surgery will severely weaken the life-saving capacity of this hospital.

“Plaid Cymru has long championed small rural hospitals such as Bronglais and Withybush. We need to ensure these hospitals remain strong local services within our communities. Withybush should have the basic life-saving and everyday treatment services it needs to function as a full general hospital.”

Kerry Ferguson, Plaid Cymru candidate for Pembrokeshire within the Ceredigion Penfro constituency, said the recent success of a public petition had demonstrated the strength of local feeling.

“It’s great to see that the online petition calling for Welsh Government intervention to restore emergency surgery and essential services at Withybush has reached its target, meaning it will now be debated in the Senedd,” she said.

“We are extremely disappointed by the Health Board’s decision to remove emergency general surgery at Withybush. Increased journey times for anyone in need of urgent medical treatment will put lives at risk. We need government intervention now to overturn this decision.”

Residents across Pembrokeshire have continued to raise concerns about the future of services at the hospital, which has long been a focal point in debates about healthcare provision in rural west Wales.

New ‘Earned Settlement’ system expected from April could replace traditional five-year route to permanent residency

THOUSANDS of migrants living and working in the UK could face waiting up to fifteen years before qualifying for permanent settlement under major immigration reforms expected to take effect from April 2026.

The UK Government plans to introduce a new “Earned Settlement” framework that would replace the traditional five-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). The proposed system links settlement eligibility to economic contribution, income levels and integration into British society.

Under the proposals, the standard pathway to settlement for many migrants will increase to ten years. However, some applicants could qualify sooner while others may face significantly longer waits depending on their personal circumstances.

Immigration specialists say the reforms represent one of the most significant changes to the UK’s settlement system in decades.

Helena Sheizon, an immigration expert at Kadmos Immigration, said: “This reform represents a fundamental shift from a time-based route to permanent residence to one focused on earned contribution. It aims to reward economic participation and integration, but it also means thousands of people already on a path to settlement could face new conditions and longer waits if they do not meet the new criteria.”

Under the current immigration framework, many migrants on routes such as the Skilled Worker visa or family visas can apply for permanent residency after five years of lawful residence.

The proposed reforms would introduce a points-based settlement model. The time required before applying for ILR could vary depending on factors including income, employment history and compliance with immigration rules.

Government proposals suggest a ten-year baseline settlement route for most migrants. Individuals with very high earnings or exceptional contributions to the UK economy could qualify after around three years. Others with lower incomes or irregular employment histories could face qualifying periods of up to fifteen years or more.

The new framework moves away from a purely time-based system and instead requires migrants to effectively “earn” settlement through measurable contribution.

Sheizon added: “What makes this system distinctive is the idea of earning settlement through measurable contribution. People will need to demonstrate not just residence in the UK, but active economic engagement.”

Several key factors could affect how quickly someone qualifies for settlement under the new model. These include income levels, with higher taxable earnings potentially reducing the settlement timeline, as well as employment in public service sectors such as healthcare or education.

English language ability may also influence eligibility, while visa breaches, irregular entry or reliance on public funds could extend the time required before settlement can be granted.

In practice, this means two migrants arriving in the UK at the same time could reach settlement at very different points depending on their individual contribution profiles.

Some changes linked to the new system have already begun to take effect. These include higher English language requirements for several visa routes and increased income thresholds tied to visa eligibility.

The reforms are expected to affect a wide range of migrants currently living and working in the UK. Skilled workers and their dependents could face longer waits unless they meet higher earnings criteria, while family visa holders may encounter extended settlement timelines and stricter income requirements.

Lower-paid workers, particularly in sectors such as social care or middle-skilled roles, could face the longest qualifying periods.

The proposals follow the Government’s wider immigration strategy outlined in a recent White Paper and consultations carried out during late 2025. A formal Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules is expected in March ahead of the planned launch of the new system in April.

Sheizon said the reforms could significantly alter long-term plans for migrants already living in Britain.

“The immigration reform expected from April 2026 marks a major turning point. The shift to an earned settlement model changes not only how long people must wait for permanent residence but also what they must do to achieve it,” she said.

“With these changes approaching, migrants and employers should review their settlement plans now and consider whether earlier applications may be possible.”

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer is walking an increasingly delicate diplomatic tightrope as tensions in the Middle East threaten to spill into a broader international conflict.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday (Mar 16), Starmer repeatedly declined to be drawn into speculation about military escalation, stressing that any potential effort to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz would not be a NATO operation but rather “an alliance of partners”.

The narrow waterway between Iran and Oman is one of the most important shipping routes in the world, with around a fifth of global oil supplies passing through it.

Recent tensions in the region have raised fears that disruption there could trigger a major international crisis.

But Starmer’s message was clear: Britain will support efforts to keep trade routes open while avoiding being pulled into a full-scale conflict.

When asked directly about comments made by former US President Donald Trump suggesting NATO allies should help reopen the strait, Starmer refused to engage in the escalating rhetoric.

Instead, he emphasised diplomacy and cooperation.

“It’s not straightforward,” the Prime Minister said, adding that discussions with international partners were ongoing.

Observers noted that Starmer also avoided responding to speculation about potential military commitments, a move widely interpreted as an attempt to prevent Britain being boxed into a position before negotiations with allies are complete.

Relations with Washington

Starmer was also pressed by journalists about his relationship with Donald Trump, who has been increasingly critical of some NATO allies.

Asked to rate their relationship on a scale of one to ten, the Prime Minister said simply that it was “a good relationship”.

“We’re strong allies and have been for decades,” he said, adding that his responsibility was always to act “in the best interests of Britain”.

Despite the diplomatic language, the exchange underlined the growing pressure facing the UK government as global tensions rise.

The United States has been urging partners to support efforts to secure key shipping routes, while some European leaders remain cautious about the risks of escalation.

Energy and economic stakes

The stakes are not purely military.

Any disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could have immediate consequences for global energy markets, pushing up fuel costs and inflation.

That prospect is already weighing heavily on governments across Europe.

At the same press conference, Starmer announced new financial support for households struggling with rising heating costs and outlined plans to strengthen regulation of the heating oil market.

The move was widely seen as preparation for potential energy price shocks linked to instability in the Middle East.

A careful balancing act

For Starmer, the challenge now is balancing Britain’s commitments to international allies with a public that remains wary of overseas military entanglements after conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

So far, the Prime Minister appears determined to keep the UK involved diplomatically while resisting pressure to escalate militarily.

Whether that position can hold if tensions in the region worsen remains the key question facing Downing Street.

For now, Starmer’s strategy is clear: support allies, protect global trade routes — but avoid sliding into a wider war.