News
Budget will ‘devastate Pembrokeshire’s farming industry’, warns Pembs MS
A SENEDD Member representing Pembrokeshire, Paul Davies, has warned that the UK Government’s budget will have a catastrophic impact on the future of Pembrokeshire farming. Earlier this week, the Chancellor announced changes to agricultural property relief and from April 2026, inheritance tax will apply at an effective rate of 20% on all farm assets beyond a £1m threshold.
Mr Davies told The Pembrokeshire Herald on Friday (Oct 31): “It’s clear to me that this UK Government simply doesn’t understand or care about our farmers as this Budget threatens the future of family farms and will make producing food more expensive. Many farmers in Pembrokeshire and further afield will now face having to sell their land to pay inheritance taxes, putting the futures of many family farms and the people who farm them at risk.”
“This cruel move from the Chancellor undermines the next generation of farmers as they will face inheritance tax bills when family farms are passed from one generation to the next.”
“Farmers are already facing challenges dealing with excessive red tape, like the Welsh Government’s water pollution regulations and its flawed Sustainable Farming Scheme – and this latest announcement from the UK Government will be another crushing blow to the industry and to our rural communities.”
News
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigns following child abuse report
THE Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has announced his resignation following the publication of a damning report that reveals the Church of England covered up decades of abuse by prominent barrister John Smyth QC.
Welby stated: “Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign.”
The resignation follows the release of the independent Makin review last week, which detailed how Smyth, over a span of five decades, abused children and young men in the UK and Africa. The report estimates that as many as 130 boys and young men suffered severe physical, sexual, psychological, and spiritual abuse at Smyth’s hands, leaving lasting scars on their lives.
The review highlighted a critical missed opportunity, concluding that Smyth might have faced justice had Archbishop Welby reported the abuse to police a decade ago. Smyth, who died in Cape Town in 2018 at age 75, was under investigation by Hampshire Police but was “never brought to justice for the abuse,” according to the report.
Climate
Wales eyes £47 billion in renewable energy investment by 2035
WALES is on the cusp of a £47 billion renewable energy investment wave that could transform its economy, create thousands of jobs, and breathe new life into communities. This promising outlook was unveiled today at the Future Energy Wales 2024 conference at Newport’s ICC, showcasing preliminary analysis by BiGGAR Economics on the economic potential of renewable energy across the nation.
Commissioned by RenewableUK Cymru, in partnership with Solar Energy UK and Marine Energy Wales, the study highlights the substantial economic gains Wales could achieve by meeting its renewable energy targets across onshore wind, offshore wind, solar, and tidal power.
The research projects an average annual investment of nearly £4 billion, reaching a peak of £7 billion by 2028. Offshore wind alone is expected to attract £32.4 billion, forming the foundation of Wales’ economic growth through 2035. However, capturing this opportunity requires an effective industrial strategy and substantial port infrastructure upgrades to support thousands of new, high-quality jobs.
While offshore wind presents long-term growth, onshore wind offers Wales a rapid boost, with a potential £4.5 billion in investments enabling an increase to over 3 GW capacity by 2035, contingent on addressing planning and grid capacity challenges.
The NESO 2030 Clean Power report underscores the need for grid reform to expedite renewable energy across the UK, but Wales remains hampered by immediate planning resource shortages.
The latest data from the 2024 Welsh wind power report shows a surge in renewable project interest, with Wales’ pipeline expanding by 18% this year, from 9 GW in 2023 to over 10.5 GW in November 2024, largely due to new onshore wind projects. However, with current deployment rates, Wales is forecast to contribute only 5% of the UK’s total wind capacity by 2035—well behind Scotland’s 64 GW target.
RenewableUK Cymru’s Call for Strategic Support
Jess Hooper, Director of RenewableUK Cymru, said:
“Wales stands at the threshold of a historic opportunity. By harnessing this renewable investment potential, we can secure Welsh jobs and build a robust, long-term local economy. But achieving this vision requires strong, immediate support from both the UK and Welsh governments.
“We urge a coordinated, four-nations approach to accelerate wind deployment and grid upgrades. With strategic investment in grid capacity and planning, wind energy can become central to Wales’ clean energy future—delivering real benefits for our climate, economy, and communities.”
£47 Billion Equals 208 Principality Stadiums
Nikki Keddie, Director at BiGGAR Economics, added:
“The scale of Wales’ renewables potential is extraordinary. The £47 billion needed to reach our targets is equivalent to building 208 Principality Stadiums. Investment in renewables will boost energy security, employment, industrial growth, and rural development.
“To maximise economic benefits, it’s crucial to dismantle barriers to project delivery and create opportunities for local businesses to capture value. We look forward to the next phase of this report, where we will detail the economic share Wales can secure.”
News
Could you be a fire fighter? Fire service experience day in Haverfordwest
MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is hosting an Experience Day in Haverfordwest on Tuesday, 19 November, from 9:30am to 12:30pm.
This three-hour event provides a unique opportunity to explore a career in the fire service. Attendees will get an in-depth look at:
- The role of a modern firefighter
- Trying on firefighting gear and equipment
- Steps in the recruitment process
- Fitness requirements for the job
- The equipment and PPE used by firefighters
- Career pathways and development within the service
It’s an ideal chance to discover what firefighting is all about.
Registration is essential. To reserve your spot, visit Experience Days – Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
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