Helen Jenner, a teacher, Welsh speaker and mother of two, will join Dan Thomas in leading the party’s campaign

REFORM Wales leader Dan Thomas has announced Helen Jenner as the party’s new deputy leader as it steps up preparations for the Senedd election on Thursday, May 7.

Jenner, who tops Reform’s regional list in Bangor Conwy Mon, was born in Neath and raised on Ynys Mon. She is a teacher by profession, a Welsh speaker, and a mother of two.

Announcing the appointment, Mr Thomas said the party wanted to draw on the strengths of its members as it heads into the election campaign.

He said: “Reform Wales is a team.

“And like every team, we need to draw on the skills and attributes of all of our members to get results.

“That’s why I’m excited to announce that Helen Jenner will join me in leading Reform into the Senedd election in May.”

Ms Jenner said Wales was at a “crossroads” and claimed Reform was the only party offering “ambitious, credible solutions” to the problems facing the country.

She said: “Wales is at a crossroads, and Reform is the only party offering ambitious, credible solutions to the problems the people of Wales face.

“As a proud Welsh woman, I believe the only party prepared to put our country first is Reform.

“I’m honoured to join Dan and our hard working members in this fight for a fairer, more prosperous Wales.

“Vote Reform on May 7 for the real change Wales deserves.”

The announcement comes as parties across Wales continue to unveil candidates and campaign teams ahead of the 2026 Senedd election.

Report finds a third of reception-age children are above a healthy weight as activity levels fall sharply in teenage years

A THIRD of children aged four and five in West Wales are above a healthy weight, according to new research which warns that too many young people are heading towards a future of preventable ill health.

The findings are included in a new State of the Region report commissioned by Activate West Wales, covering Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.

The report found that fewer than one in four primary school children across the region are achieving the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day. By secondary school age, that figure drops to just 19 per cent.

Researchers also identified a clear gap between boys and girls, with boys significantly more active. Between 22 and 24 per cent of boys meet the daily activity target, compared with just 13 to 14 per cent of girls.

Sedentary behaviour was also found to be high across the region, with children in some areas spending seven or more hours inactive on weekdays. Swansea and Neath Port Talbot recorded levels above the Wales average, while girls were found to be more sedentary than boys in all four local authority areas.

The report brings together data from a range of sources to highlight patterns, inequalities and areas where more targeted action could improve health and wellbeing through sport and physical activity.

There were some more positive findings. Children and young people in West Wales were found to be taking part in organised sport three times a week at a higher rate than the Wales average.

However, girls’ participation remained lower than boys in every local authority area.

The review also looked at demand for different activities. Children and young people with disabilities highlighted interest in weightlifting, tennis and archery, while those without disabilities most commonly chose swimming, football and cycling.

Dr Susan Barnes, chair of Activate West Wales, said: “This first State of the Region review gives us the most comprehensive picture to date of sport, physical activity and health across West Wales.

“The evidence in the report presents a clear and uncomfortable truth: unless we act decisively now, too many people across our regional footprint will face a future marked by preventable ill health, widening inequality, and diminished opportunity.

“Without intervention, today’s inactive child is highly likely to become tomorrow’s unhealthy adult.”

Jamie Rewbridge, chief executive of Activate West Wales, said tackling the problem would require long-term action across government, councils, health boards, schools, businesses, clubs and community groups.

He said: “This report is not an end point, but a starting line for lasting change.”

WELSH Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds has called on the next Welsh Government to do more to support small businesses, after new figures showed that less than half of public procurement spending goes to small and medium-sized enterprises, despite them making up more than 99 per cent of all businesses in Wales.

Figures obtained by Ms Dodds through a Written Question to the Welsh Government show that of the £777 million spent through Welsh Government procurement in 2023/24, only £260 million went to SMEs. In comparison, more than £319 million was spent with large firms, while almost £198 million went to public sector or unidentified suppliers.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats say they want to put small and medium-sized Welsh businesses at the forefront of government procurement if they are in a position to influence the next Welsh Government.

The figures also show a drop in the proportion of spending retained in Wales, falling from 51 per cent in 2023/24 to 45 per cent in 2024/25, raising concerns that more public money is flowing to suppliers based outside the country.

Over the past five years, the proportion of Welsh Government spending going to SMEs has remained below 40 per cent, despite small and medium-sized firms dominating the Welsh economy and employing people in communities across the country.

Jane Dodds said: “These figures show that small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our economy, yet they are being short-changed when it comes to government contracts.

“At a time when local firms are under pressure from rising costs, energy bills and red tape, the Welsh Government should be doing far more to make sure public money supports jobs and growth here in Wales.

“It is deeply concerning to see the proportion of spending staying in Wales fall so sharply. The Government says it backs Welsh businesses, but these figures suggest otherwise.

“Small firms tell me they feel locked out of procurement opportunities and burdened by unnecessary bureaucracy. There is huge potential for the Welsh Government to use its spending power to drive local prosperity, but too much of it still goes to large companies outside Wales.

“If we want a thriving Welsh economy that rewards hard work, innovation and community roots, we must put small businesses at the heart of government policy. The Welsh Liberal Democrats would make it easier for SMEs to compete, reform business rates and create a fairer, simpler procurement system that works for local enterprises.”

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