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£1.7bn boost for Welsh Government in UK Budget

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CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves presented the UK Budget on Wednesday, unveiling an additional £1.7bn in funding for the Welsh Government next April. This increase, she described as “the largest real-terms funding boost since devolution,” will support key areas including schools, housing, health, social care, and transport.

In addition to the primary funding, the Chancellor announced a £25m allocation for coal tip maintenance and safety in Wales. This move comes after Welsh Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford highlighted the need for UK Treasury intervention, citing over 2,500 coal tips across Wales, with 360 categorized as high-risk.

The Budget also confirmed UK government backing for two electrolytic hydrogen projects in Milford Haven and Bridgend, aimed at advancing low-carbon hydrogen production in Wales. Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens remarked on the significance of collaborative efforts between UK and Welsh governments, noting the Budget’s potential to drive substantial regional development.

Reactions to the Budget varied widely. Welsh Conservatives labelled it a “smash and grab Budget,” warning of potential harm, while Plaid Cymru criticized it for lacking “transformative change.”

Analysis: Will £1.7bn meet Wales’ needs?

While the funding is substantial, Welsh ministers face challenges in addressing rising NHS waiting lists—a pressing priority given the record-high backlog. Last year, the Welsh Government redirected over £400m to the health sector, necessitating cuts elsewhere. Local councils are also bracing for a £559m shortfall in the coming financial year, adding pressure to the allocation of these funds.

Despite the Budget’s provisions, opposition parties are raising concerns. They argue that National Insurance increases could harm small businesses, and proposed inheritance tax reforms may pose challenges for family-run farms in Wales.

Additional measures

  • Minimum wage increase: Rising to £12.21 per hour next year, as announced earlier in the week.
  • Ongoing negotiations: The Welsh Government hopes to secure further coal tip safety funding.

This Budget marks a critical phase for Welsh governance, with both opportunities and challenges ahead.

Conservative MS, Samuel Kurtz said “This Budget brings devastating tax rises that will hit businesses and individuals across west Wales hard.

“With £25 billion in new taxes for businesses, economic growth will be stifled. The economy is now only forecast to grow by 1.5% by the end of the decade—lower than under the previous Conservative Government.

“Our farmers also find themselves under Labour’s axe as they slash Agricultural Property Relief, putting thousands of family farms at risk.

“Coupled with cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance for thousands of pensioners, this Budget is deeply damaging and exposes Labour’s broken promises from the General Election.”

Responding to the publication of the UK Government budget, Welsh Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader David Chadwick MP said: “This budget fails to offer an ambitious vision for Wales that would mark a long-term investment in its future, it punishes small businesses and will be a disaster for family farms. 

“Labour has failed to deliver the billions owed to Wales from HS2, yet constituents like mine are facing deep cuts in their rail services.

“Meanwhile, the Chancellor has chosen to increase taxation for the small businesses that are the lifeblood of the Welsh economy instead of taking aim at the enormous profits of the banks, oil and gas giants and big tech.

“The Chancellors Family Farm Tax risks being a death knell for local farmers who have already faced attacks on their livelihoods by the Welsh Labour Government, who have shown time and time again they have no understanding of the rural economy or the work that goes into making sure the public have food on their plates.”

  • We would like to apologise that an earlier version of this article, briefly published, contained a number of reporting inaccuracies. This was due to to incorrect text being displayed due to a server error

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Open day at new St Davids housing development

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PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is celebrating the completion of Phase 1 Llys Glasfryn, St Davids.

The development was built by GRD Homes, and Phase 1 consists of 4 x 2 bed bungalows, and 3 x 1 bed bungalows.

Phase 2 consists of 11 x 2 bed bungalows, which it is hoped will be completed early 2026.

All properties within Phase 1 have been allocated, and Phase 2 properties will be available for bidding a few months before completion.

A Local Lettings Policy is used to allocate these properties, which was created in conjunction with local members, St Davids City Council, and the local community.

To celebrate the completion of Phase 1, Pembrokeshire County Council is holding an open day in one of the newly completed properties.

This will be held on Tuesday 28th January 2025, from 2pm – 6pm. This is for members of the public to view the site and one of the properties, ask questions, and provide feedback.

Cllr Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Housing Operations, said: “These high quality homes will provide much needed housing in St Davids and form part of our wider development programme.

“Increasing the supply of affordable housing is a key priority for Cabinet and I look forward to meeting new tenants and the wider community at the open day event.”

For more information on Pembrokeshire County Council’s housing developments, or this event, please call 01437 764551, or email [email protected]

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News

Agricultural shed fire on Narberth Road in Saundersfoot

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CREWS from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service stations in Tenby and Milford Haven were called to a fire on Narberth Road, Saundersfoot, at 1:05pm on Monday (Jan 27).

The blaze involved a caravan and an agricultural shed measuring approximately 15 metres by 15 metres. The shed, which contained vehicles and machinery, was completely destroyed along with the caravan.

Firefighters used two hose reel jets, two main jets, an otter pump, and a water shuttle system drawing from an open water source to bring the fire under control.

Crews left the scene at 3:20pm.

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Crime

Prison bosses dismiss assault rumours against Southport killer

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PRISON authorities have denied claims circulating on social media that Axel Rudakubana, the Southport killer convicted of murdering three young girls, has been attacked while in custody. The rumours, which gained traction after the circulation of a voice note on Sunday (Jan 26), alleged that the 18-year-old was assaulted by two inmates at HMP Manchester, where he is serving his sentence.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice firmly dismissed the allegations, stating: “Reports of Axel Rudakubana being attacked in prison are inaccurate. He has not been attacked.”

Rudakubana, originally from Cardiff but residing in the Lancashire village of Banks for the past decade, was sentenced on Thursday to a minimum of 52 years behind bars. His crimes, described as among the most extreme and shocking in recent history, included the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, as well as the attempted murder of ten others. The brutal attack took place on July 29 last year at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.

During sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, Mr Justice Goose outlined the horrifying details of Rudakubana’s calculated and violent actions. “He walked straight into the building, up the stairs to where he could hear the sound of happy children. His intention was clear: to murder as many of them as he physically could.”

Over a harrowing 15 minutes, Rudakubana fatally attacked three children, severely injured eight others, and wounded two adults who attempted to intervene. The judge highlighted the unrelenting nature of his violence: “After the other children escaped, he remained in the upstairs room, where he returned to attack two of the youngest victims, stabbing them multiple times. His actions demonstrated a determined intention to cause maximum suffering.”

Mr Justice Goose condemned Rudakubana’s actions as “the most extreme, shocking and exceptionally serious crime.” The judge noted that the carnage could have been even worse if not for the bravery of those who escaped and intervened.

Rudakubana’s case has left a community in mourning and sparked national outrage. As he begins his decades-long sentence, the Ministry of Justice has assured the public that he is being closely monitored and that claims of an attack on him in prison are baseless.

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