News

Urgent plea to prevent hunger amongst children this summer holiday

Published

3 years ago

July 31, 2023

A UNION says that thousands of vulnerable children in Wales are facing the prospect of going hungry over the summer as the Welsh government’s decision to discontinue free school meals support during the holidays takes effect.

In response to this concerning situation, school support staff and the public services union, UNISON Cymru Wales, have strongly criticized the decision, labeling it as a ‘wrong choice.’ They are urging Welsh ministers to reconsider the policy, especially in light of the significant number of families grappling with low wages and soaring living costs.

Jan Tomlinson, Convenor of UNISON Cymru Wales, expressed deep concern about the financial struggles faced by many families, particularly those of low-paid public service workers, who are now left with nothing. The stress of being unable to meet basic living expenses is compounded by the added worry that their children may have empty stomachs during the summer break.

The impact of ending free school meals goes beyond immediate hunger. It has led to a surge in food bank usage and a resurgence of diseases in modern society due to inadequate nutrition. While the Welsh government has been constrained financially due to limitations imposed by the Conservative UK government, UNISON Cymru Wales emphasizes that all politicians have a moral obligation to intervene and ensure that no child goes hungry.

Emma Garson, representing thousands of school support staff through UNISON Cardiff County branch, commended the initiative of free school meals during term time. However, she highlighted that children’s hunger does not only occur during the school year, and withdrawing support during the summer is deeply concerning and shameful.

The announcement of this decision towards the end of the school term came as a shock to parents who had expected the continued provision of free meals. Many families are now unprepared to budget for the extra cost of meals, which is already a financially straining time for them.

While some local authorities are taking the initiative to continue providing free school meals during the summer from their own budgets, UNISON asserts that this support must be extended statewide and adequately funded by the Welsh government.

In conclusion, the urgent plea to extend free school meals support during the holidays aims to ensure that no child in Wales faces hunger during the summer break. The Welsh government and all politicians have the moral responsibility to address this critical issue and safeguard the well-being of children and families across the nation.

READ THIS WEEK’S PEMBROKESHIRE HERALD HERE:

Crime

Carmarthen man admits takeaway burglaries

Published

17 minutes ago

June 27, 2026

Court Reporter

Phillip Roberts stole cash from USA Chicken and returned the following day with intent to steal

A CARMARTHEN man has admitted a string of burglaries at the same takeaway business on consecutive days.

Phillip Roberts, 44, of Brewery Road, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to three offences connected to USA Chicken on Blue Street.

The court heard that on June 4, Roberts entered the premises as a trespasser and stole a tip jar containing cash. He also admitted a second burglary at the same business on the same date, during which £50 cash was stolen.

A further offence took place on June 5, when Roberts entered USA Chicken as a trespasser with intent to steal.

Magistrates adjourned sentence for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. The report will consider all sentencing options, including possible committal to the Crown Court.

Roberts was granted conditional bail. He must not enter USA Chicken, Blue Street, and must not contact Mustafa Baksi, either directly or indirectly.

He is due to return to Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on July 1 for sentence.

Health

Welsh Ambulance Service urges public to ‘choose wisely’ as pressures continue

Published

1 hour ago

June 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE has issued a fresh appeal to the public following the declaration of a critical incident on Friday (June 26), as exceptionally high demand continues to place pressure on crews across Wales.

In a social media post published today (Saturday, June 27), the Trust warned that hot weather is contributing to a rise in ambulance call-outs, including incidents involving heat-related illness, falls, breathing difficulties and existing medical conditions worsened by the heat.

The message comes less than 24 hours after the service declared a critical incident amid unprecedented demand, with ambulance resources stretched across Wales.

The Trust is urging people to call 999 only for serious or life-threatening emergencies, contact NHS 111 Wales for urgent health advice, and use local pharmacies for minor illnesses and ailments.

It said choosing the right service can help ambulance crews reach the sickest patients more quickly while pressures remain high.

Crime

Six arrested after immigration raids at Florentino’s restaurants

Published

2 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SIX people have been arrested following Immigration Enforcement raids at Florentino’s Italian restaurants in Tenby and Carmarthen.

Officers visited the Tenby branch in St Julian’s Street on June 18, where two Romanian nationals were identified as allegedly having no right to work in the UK. Both were arrested on suspicion of illegal working.

The Tenby operation followed an earlier raid at Florentino’s in Carmarthen in February, where four workers — two Romanian nationals, a Bangladeshi national and a Mongolian national — were also arrested on suspicion of illegal working.

The Herald previously reported in March that the Carmarthen restaurant had been linked to a major HMRC case, after Claudio Cernat Ltd, formerly trading as Florentino’s on Jacksons Lane, was listed over a £278,000 deliberate tax underpayment and a further £186,000 penalty.

Immigration officials say inquiries are now under way to establish who may be liable for employing the individuals. Employers found to have breached illegal working rules can face civil penalties of up to £60,000 per worker.

One of the Tenby workers has already returned, while the other is in the process of returning. Of the Carmarthen workers, two have returned, one was placed on immigration bail and another was de-arrested with a warning.

Immigration Enforcement Lead for Wales, Richard Johnson, said: “I want to thank my officers who showed the highest levels of professionalism under challenging circumstances on these operations.

“Immigration Enforcement teams in Wales continue to work round the clock to ensure businesses play by the rules and those with no right to be in the UK are tracked down and returned at the earliest opportunity.”

The Home Office says illegal working enforcement has increased significantly since July 2024, with raids and arrests rising across the UK and Wales.

No finding has yet been made against the restaurant operators in relation to the latest arrests.

Florentino’s has been approached for comment.