WELSH LABOUR has called on the Plaid Cymru-led Welsh Government to introduce a £2 cap on bus fares, after Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that a similar scheme would begin in England in January.

The party says passengers in Wales risk paying more for essential journeys than people living across the border unless ministers act quickly.

Welsh Labour included a £2 bus fare cap in its Senedd election manifesto and is now urging the Welsh Government to adopt the policy as part of wider efforts to ease pressure on household finances.

Responsibility for bus services and fares in Wales is devolved, meaning the UK Government’s announcement will apply only to journeys in England.

Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates MS welcomed the Prime Minister’s decision but said action was also needed in Wales.

He said: “It’s great to see the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, acting quickly to give families some breathing space with the cost of living.

“Introducing a £2 bus fare cap in Wales is, of course, a decision for the Welsh Government. That’s why Welsh Labour had a manifesto commitment to do just that.

“This Plaid Cymru Government should urgently look to introduce a cap in Wales. Otherwise, people in Wales will be left paying more for bus travel than our neighbours across the border.”

Pontypridd MP Alex Davies-Jones said affordable public transport was essential for connecting communities and ensuring people could access employment, education and public services.

She said: “Connecting communities and providing good, affordable transport links is vital in building a country for everyone.

“Today’s announcement is welcome news, but only for people in England.

“Plaid Cymru must now follow suit and act as quickly as the new Prime Minister has to support people with the cost of living, ensuring passengers in Wales are not paying more for bus travel and have access to the same opportunities.”

Welsh Labour said reforms introduced by the previous Welsh Government through bus services legislation had created the framework needed for greater public control of the network.

The party said it would continue to campaign for cheaper fares and more widely available bus services across Wales.

The Welsh Government has been approached for a response.

Representatives say hosepipe restrictions and supply interruptions have exposed weaknesses in local infrastructure

PLAID CYMRU Senedd Members have called for urgent improvements to Ceredigion’s water infrastructure following the introduction of hosepipe restrictions and reports that some homes remain without a water supply.

Anna Nicholl MS, Elin Jones MS and Kerry Ferguson MS, who represent Ceredigion Penfro, have requested an urgent meeting with senior managers at Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water.

The restrictions affect more than 30,000 properties across parts of Ceredigion.

The Senedd Members said the current situation had raised concerns about the capacity and resilience of water storage tanks and pipes in central and southern Ceredigion.

They argued that prolonged periods of warm and dry weather were becoming more frequent and that investment was needed to ensure the water network could cope with future demand.

Anna Nicholl MS said: “We understand that there is sufficient water in our lakes and reservoirs, so the introduction of a hosepipe ban affecting more than 30,000 properties in Ceredigion highlights weaknesses in the local storage tanks and pipe network.

“We are calling for greater investment in the infrastructure across central and southern Ceredigion to make the system more efficient and ensure residents are not left without water at times when it is needed most.

“We know that some parts of the county have been left without a water supply, and we are pleased to hear that vulnerable people in those areas are being supported.

“However, we need a sustainable and resilient system that works properly for everyone throughout the year.”

The three MSs are seeking assurances from Dŵr Cymru about its immediate response to the disruption, as well as its longer-term plans to strengthen water infrastructure across the county.

Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar has called on the new Welsh Secretary to intervene amid concerns that electricity grid connection problems could push the major green steel project months behind schedule

URGENT action is being demanded to prevent delays to the new electric arc furnace being built at Port Talbot steelworks.

Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar has written to the newly appointed Secretary of State for Wales, Stephen Kinnock, following reports that problems delivering the necessary National Grid connection could delay the project by several months.

Mr Kinnock, who represents Aberafan Maesteg, was appointed Welsh Secretary on Monday, July 20.

The £1.25bn electric arc furnace is intended to form the centrepiece of Tata Steel’s transition to lower-carbon steel production in Wales. The UK Government is contributing £500m towards the project, with Tata Steel providing the remaining investment.

Tata had previously expected the furnace to be commissioned from the end of 2027. However, recent reports have suggested that delays in securing sufficient electricity access could push the timetable back by between six and eight months, with unions warning that the grid connection could be delayed by as much as a year.

National Grid’s Margam Connection Project involves expanding the existing electricity substation and connecting it to a new substation at the Tata Steel site through an underground cable.

Mr Millar said any delay would prolong the uncertainty already experienced by steelworkers, contractors, their families and businesses throughout the wider supply chain.

In his letter dated Thursday, July 23, he asked the Welsh Secretary to confirm what discussions had taken place with National Grid and Tata Steel and what action the UK Government was taking to accelerate the required infrastructure.

He also called for an assurance that the overall timetable for the electric arc furnace would be maintained.

Mr Millar said: “The people of Port Talbot have already put up with broken promises from Labour and years of uncertainty. They cannot afford another delay to a project that is vital to the future of steelmaking in Wales.

“Reports that National Grid may not deliver the electricity connection on time and therefore delay the whole project are deeply concerning.

“The UK Government must now demonstrate that it is doing everything possible to keep this project on track.”

The final blast furnace at Port Talbot was closed in September 2024 as Tata moved away from traditional coal-powered production, resulting in thousands of workers losing their jobs or facing changes to their employment.

The new furnace will use electricity to melt scrap steel and is expected to reduce carbon emissions from steelmaking at the site by around 90 per cent.

Mr Millar added: “Labour promised steelworkers it would secure the long-term future of Port Talbot. That promise has already been undermined by the closure of the blast furnaces.

“Ministers must now ensure there are no further failures that put the future of the electric arc furnace at risk.

“Steelworkers deserve confidence that this project is being treated with urgency. The UK Government must work with National Grid and Tata Steel to give steelworkers confidence that it is committed to securing the long-term future of steelmaking in Port Talbot.”

The letter also asks what support would be provided to steelworkers, contractors and supply-chain businesses should delays prove unavoidable.

Despite the concerns over the electricity connection, construction work is continuing at the Port Talbot site. Tata Steel said in June that major areas had been cleared and prepared, with key furnace equipment expected to arrive in South Wales later this year.