News

King’s Speech puts Wales at heart of UK energy and rail plans

Published

2 months ago

May 13, 2026

UK GOVERNMENT says Wales will be central to a new legislative programme focused on energy independence, rail investment, policing, defence and economic growth.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said the King’s Speech, delivered on Wednesday (May 13), set out an “ambitious plan” for the country, with measures aimed at tackling the cost of living, creating jobs and strengthening national security.

The programme includes an Energy Independence Bill, which the UK Government says will support clean power projects across Wales, including floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea and new nuclear development at Wylfa.

Ministers say the plans are intended to reduce energy bills, secure domestic energy supplies and create skilled jobs in communities across Wales.

Ms Stevens said: “The King’s Speech sets out how the UK Government is building a stronger, fairer, future for Wales by tackling the cost of living, creating good jobs and driving economic growth.

“Our Energy Independence Bill puts Wales at the heart of our clean energy mission. Alongside floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea and new nuclear in Wylfa, we are working to cut energy bills, create new jobs and secure the UK’s energy independence.”

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens: “Government has ambitious plans”

Rail investment

The King’s Speech also includes a Railways Bill, which the UK Government says will support its £14bn plan to transform rail infrastructure in Wales.

The Wales Office says the proposals will improve journeys, connect communities and support 12,000 jobs.

Rail infrastructure has long been a major political issue in Wales, with repeated criticism over historic underinvestment, poor connectivity between north and south Wales, and the long-running dispute over whether Wales received a fair share of funding from major UK rail projects.

Ms Stevens said: “Our Railways Bill will help deliver our £14bn plan to transform rail infrastructure in Wales, improving journeys, connecting communities and supporting 12,000 jobs.”

Police and defence

The programme also includes the Police Reform Bill, which the UK Government says will put more officers on the streets and strengthen public safety.

Defence spending is also set to rise, with ministers saying the measures will improve national security while supporting Welsh service personnel and veterans through better services and housing.

Ms Stevens added: “We are also strengthening our national security with increased defence spending, putting more police on our streets with the Police Reform Bill, and supporting our Welsh service personnel and veterans with better services and housing.

“This is an ambitious plan that delivers for every part of Wales.”

Political test

The announcement comes at a significant moment for Wales, following major political change in Cardiff Bay and renewed pressure on both the UK and Welsh governments to deliver on public services, housing, transport and economic growth.

The focus on energy and rail is likely to be welcomed by industry and unions, but ministers will now face questions over delivery, timescales and whether the promised investment reaches communities across Wales.

The UK Government will argue that the King’s Speech shows Wales is central to its wider economic plan. Opposition parties are expected to scrutinise whether the legislation goes far enough, particularly on energy bills, public transport, policing and support for households still facing cost-of-living pressures.

Crime

Carmarthen man admits takeaway burglaries

Published

2 hours 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

3 hours 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

4 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.