News

Campaigners welcome minister’s commitment to justice for 1950s women

Published

6 months ago

November 17, 2025

Call for full and inclusive consultation amid concerns over Ombudsman process

CAMPAIGNERS representing women born in the 1950s have welcomed the statement from Pat McFadden, Minister for Work and Pensions, acknowledging the continuing injustices faced by women affected by changes to the State Pension Age.

While Mr McFadden’s comments mark an important step forward, campaigners stressed that any future consultations must engage all groups representing 1950s-born women — not only the WASPI organisation, which has publicly stated it represents around 7% of the 3.6 million women impacted.

Mr McFadden confirmed that Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) evidence will be reviewed, with all available material considered as part of his ongoing examination. Campaigners welcomed this commitment but said that transparency, inclusivity and fairness must underpin the process if justice is to be achieved.

Concerns remain, however, over the handling of the case by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO). Campaigners point out that evidence from former Pensions Ministers Baroness Ros Altmann and Sir Steve Webb, submitted during Stage One of the Ombudsman’s investigation, was disregarded by both the PHSO and the WASPI campaign. Their testimony, which highlighted major communication failures by the DWP, should have been central to establishing the scale of maladministration, discrimination, and injustice suffered by affected women.

Frustration has also grown over WASPI’s decision not to pursue a judicial review, despite clear legal grounds and widespread financial and moral support from impacted women. Campaigners say this decision — justified by WASPI on the basis it might delay progress — is now widely viewed as a missed opportunity for timely justice and accountability.

Jackie, a local organiser, said: “We appreciate Mr McFadden’s acknowledgment of the ongoing injustice and his willingness to review the evidence. However, to ensure fairness and transparency, it is essential that all groups are included in the consultation process. No one voice can claim to represent the millions of women affected — only by working together can we achieve genuine pension justice.”

She added: “The refusal to act on vital ministerial evidence, combined with the decision not to seek judicial review when the grounds clearly existed, represents a serious failure of representation. 50s-born women have waited long enough. Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Campaigners are now urging unity and collaboration among all advocacy groups and individuals representing 1950s-born women. As recommended by the All-Party Parliamentary Group, they are calling for groups to come together “with one voice.” Following recent discussions with the APPG, collective support has been given to the CEDAWinLAW campaign group — backed by the 1950s Women of Wales, 50s Women United, and Pension Partners for Justice — to lead the legal and evidential effort for justice.

Campaigners are also calling for a full and independent review of the PHSO process to ensure that vital evidence is properly considered, lessons are learned, and accountability is restored.

Crime

Hakin woman handed five-year behaviour order over household waste

Published

5 minutes ago

May 1, 2026

Court Reporter

A HAKIN woman has been made subject to a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order after repeated problems involving household waste outside her home.

Marie James, 47, of John Lewis Street, Hakin, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates after being convicted of offences linked to accumulated rubbish at her address.

The court heard that James had failed to remove all refuse and household waste from 36 John Lewis Street, Hakin, in Milford Haven.

Magistrates imposed a Criminal Behaviour Order which will remain in force for five years.

Under the terms of the order, James must not engage in conduct causing alarm or distress to others within the perimeter of her address in Hakin. She is also prohibited from keeping, storing or accumulating household waste at the property.

The order further prevents her from keeping or storing household waste at an associated address in Milford Haven.

No order for costs was made due to limited means.

James was represented in court by Steve Wrobe

Entertainment

Free admission at Carew Tidal Mill for National Mills Weekend

Published

17 minutes ago

May 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CAREW TIDAL MILL will offer free admission after 3:00pm on Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10, to mark National Mills Weekend.

The special offer gives visitors the chance to step inside one of Pembrokeshire’s most distinctive historic buildings and discover more about Wales’ only intact tidal mill.

For anyone who has enjoyed a walk around the Millpond but never been inside, the weekend provides an ideal opportunity to explore a rare piece of industrial heritage.

National Mills Weekend is the UK’s annual celebration of milling heritage, coordinated by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. Each May, hundreds of windmills and watermills across the country open their doors to the public, helping to raise awareness of the importance of conserving these historic landmarks.

Grade II* listed Carew Tidal Mill is one of only five restored tidal mills in the UK and is regarded as a nationally significant survivor of early renewable industrial technology.

Although milling at the site ended in 1937, the original machinery remains in place, giving visitors a fascinating glimpse into the past.

Visitors can explore the Mill’s history through interactive displays, exhibitions and audio commentary, learning how water power was harnessed for centuries as a source of sustainable energy.

Daisy Hughes, manager of Carew Castle and Tidal Mill, said: “Carew Tidal Mill is a remarkable example of Wales’ industrial heritage and an important reminder of how natural resources were once used to power local communities.

“National Mills Weekend is a wonderful opportunity to welcome visitors inside and share the story of this unique building.”

Free entry to Carew Tidal Mill will be available from 3:00pm to 4:30pm on both days. Last admission is at 4:30pm and the Mill closes at 5:00pm.

Free admission applies to the Mill only and does not include entry to Carew Castle.

Visitors are advised that access to the Tidal Mill is via steps.

More information is available at www.carewcastle.com.

Ministry of Defence

Official application lodged for controversial Pembrokeshire space radar scheme

Published

16 hours ago

April 30, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

THE MOD has submitted a formal planning application for the controversial DARC space radar scheme at Cawdor Barracks near Brawdy.

The Ministry of Defence wants to install 27 radar antennas and associated infrastructure at the former RAF site as part of the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability, known as DARC.

The project would form part of a global network of sensors across the UK, USA and Australia under the AUKUS defence partnership.

The system is designed to track satellites, space debris and other objects in orbit, providing 360-degree coverage of the sky in all weather conditions and at all times of day.

Cawdor Barracks was named as the preferred UK site in late 2023 by the then Defence Secretary Grant Shapps.

A supporting statement submitted with the application says the scheme would improve the UK’s ability to detect, identify and track objects in Earth orbit.

It states: “This capability is critical to protect and defend the services provided by satellites, ensuring continuity and resilience against collisions or debris-related incidents.”

The document also says the loss of GPS services alone could cost the UK an estimated £1.422 billion per day.

The application says the scheme would create around 90 full-time equivalent construction jobs and 60 full-time equivalent operational jobs, including maintenance and security roles.

The MoD says the project would help protect critical national infrastructure in orbit and provide data to UK Government departments, the Met Office and the UK Space Agency.

However, the plans remain controversial locally.

St Davids City Council recently voted unanimously to oppose the pre-application consultation proposals.

Objectors have raised concerns about the impact of the development, with protests taking place outside Cawdor Barracks and County Hall in Haverfordwest.

Labour Senedd candidate Eluned Morgan has also called for the scheme to be put on hold while Donald Trump is President of the United States.

Pembrokeshire County Council will now consider the application.