News

Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell says he will back Assisted Dying Bill

Published

1 year ago

November 28, 2024

HENRY TUFNELL MP will vote in favour of Kim Leadbetter MP’s Private Member’s Bill on the emotive subject of legalising assisted dying.

Under the Bill, terminally ill adults with a prognosis of six months or less could seek assistance to end their life, provided two doctors and a High Court judge confirm their eligibility and voluntary decision.

“A PROFOUNDLY COMPLEX ISSUE”

In a statement on his website, the Mid & South Pembrokeshire Labour MP said: “Assisted dying remains a profoundly complex and personal issue, and I’m grateful for the thoughtful input I receive from so many of you. Recently, Kim Leadbeater MP introduced a Private Members’ Bill on this topic, meaning a meaningful debate and potential reform could soon be on the horizon.

“I support the idea of legalising assisted dying for mentally competent, terminally ill adults, provided strong safeguards are in place. This Bill, like all Private Members’ Bills, allows MPs to vote according to their conscience, ensuring a cross-party discussion that respects diverse views.

“For me, any change in law must prioritise protecting vulnerable individuals while addressing the autonomy of those facing terminal illness. Whatever happens, it’s vital to continue prioritising access to high-quality palliative and end-of-life care.

“In Wales, we’re fortunate to have a devolved approach to end-of-life care, with the Welsh Government allocating over £10.5 million annually. Quality care should always remain a priority, supporting dignity and choice at the end of life.

“Thank you again to everyone who has shared their views on assisted dying with me. This issue is both sensitive and significant, and I look forward to ensuring our community’s voice is heard in this conversation.”

We asked Mr Tufnell to expand on his stance, particularly regarding the use of scarce legal, judicial, and health resources.

A spokesperson for Mr Tufnell told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “Henry’s decision to support the Bill at this stage is informed by his belief in treating individuals facing terminal illness with dignity and compassion and upholding their right to autonomy over end-of-life decisions. However, it is important to note that this Bill is currently at the Second Reading stage, which is an opportunity to debate the principles of the proposed legislation rather than its detailed implementation.”

THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS EXPLAINED

As a Private Members’ Bill, Kim Leadbeater MP introduced this legislation rather than the Government. Such Bills often focus on issues of personal conscience or areas where public debate is necessary.

While many Private Members’ Bills do not progress to becoming law, the Second Reading allows Parliament to assess whether the issue deserves further scrutiny. If the Bill passes this stage, it will proceed to the Committee stage, where MPs will examine its details and consider amendments.

Henry Tufnell’s spokesperson told us: “Henry believes it is vital to give this Bill the opportunity for detailed consideration and public discussion, recognising the ethical complexities it addresses.”

PAYING TO DIE

The issues surrounding the cost of delivering the legislation have been lost in the ethical arguments made by both sides of the debate. However, if the ratio of deaths through assisted dying matches that in the US state of Oregon, used as a touchstone by the Bill’s backers, approximately 3,500 deaths each year will come under the Bill’s provisions.

Those 3,500 deaths would take place following a process involving two doctors who would have to certify the request’s validity and the mental capacity of the person making it. If the doctors okay the request, an application will be made to a judge in the High Court Family Division. Only after a senior and appropriately qualified judge approved the application – which is potentially little more than a hearing followed by a rubber-stamping exercise, would the individual be able to make arrangements for their life to be ended on the NHS.

There are interlocking issues about the resources needed at each step. The first is the availability of the requisite expertise among appropriately qualified doctors. Secondly, the Bill’s proposal to use the High Court Family Division faces even greater issues regarding the availability of enough senior judges to hear and decide on an application.

There is a shortage of judges in the Family Division and a reluctance by sufficiently senior and experienced specialist lawyers to apply for a judicial appointment in it. In addition, in 2022/23, the Family Division of the High Court sat for around 19,000 hours. If the Bill becomes law, the number of sitting hours would increase to around 50,000. There is simply no spare capacity in the system for that level of judicial hours. The idea that the system could somehow “fast-track” applications under the Assisted Dying Bill’s terms runs a coach and horses through the idea that proposed safeguards are adequate or adequately thought through.

Finally, the lethal drugs would be administered using NHS facilities. Those seeking to die using state resources would necessarily displace resources that could be used elsewhere in a health service under extraordinary pressure and already short of resources.

As applications under the Assisted Dying Bill would not be eligible for Legal Aid, the Bill runs the considerable risk of being inaccessible to the terminally ill poor or those unable to afford the level of legal expertise needed to engage with the process.

A QUESTION OF RESOURCES

Mr Tufnell’s spokesperson said: “Henry is aware that implementing any future legislation on assisted dying would require careful planning to ensure sufficient judicial and legal oversight. That would include addressing concerns around clear safeguards and resource allocation.

“The Bill acknowledges the NHS’s central role in supporting individuals at the end of life. If the legislation progresses, Henry will work with colleagues to ensure adequate funding and training for healthcare professionals, alongside enhanced investment in palliative and mental health services.”

LISTENING AND DECIDING

Mr Tufnell’s spokesperson concluded: “Henry’s decision to support the Bill reflects extensive engagement with constituents and medical professionals. He has listened to the perspectives of those who feel strongly both for and against the proposal and has been guided by a commitment to enabling informed choices within a safe and regulated system.

“He recognises the significant public support for giving individuals greater autonomy at the end of life, but also the importance of balancing this with strong protections. The Second Reading stage provides a vital opportunity for Parliament to debate these issues in depth.

“Should the Bill progress further, Henry will continue to engage closely with stakeholders to ensure the proposed legislation is both compassionate and workable.”

Farming

Basic Payment Scheme 2025 balance paid to 95% of Welsh farmers

Published

7 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Final year of BPS as transition to Sustainable Farming Scheme begins

The WELSH Government says more than ninety-five per cent of farm businesses have now received their full or balance payment under the final year of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), ahead of the introduction of the new Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) in 2026.

Announcing the update on Friday (Dec 12), Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, confirmed that over 15,400 Welsh farm businesses have been paid £68.7m. This comes on top of the £160m issued in BPS advance payments since 14 October.

Final round of BPS payments

The Basic Payment Scheme, which has been the backbone of farm support in Wales for a decade, provides direct income support to help farmers plan and manage their businesses. BPS 2025 marks the last year in which full BPS payments will be made before the scheme begins to be phased out.

The Cabinet Secretary said officials would “continue to process the outstanding BPS 2025 claims as soon as possible,” adding that all but the most complex cases should be completed by 30 June 2026.

Payments issued today represent the main balance due to farmers following earlier advances, giving many businesses the cash flow they need during the quieter winter period—traditionally a challenging time in the agricultural calendar.

Shift to Sustainable Farming Scheme in 2026

From 1 January 2026, the Welsh Government will begin rolling out the Sustainable Farming Scheme, a major reform to how agricultural support is delivered. The SFS will reward farmers for environmental outcomes such as habitat management, carbon reduction and biodiversity improvements, alongside continued food production.

The government has argued that the new scheme is essential to meeting Wales’ climate and nature targets while ensuring long-term resilience in the sector. However, the transition has been closely watched by farming unions, who have raised concerns about the administrative burden, income stability, and the speed at which BPS is being phased out.

Mr Irranca-Davies reaffirmed the government’s stance, saying: “This government is steadfastly committed to supporting Welsh farmers to sustainably produce quality food. This is demonstrated today in our payment of the BPS 2025 balance payments and will continue throughout the transition period.”

Sector reaction

Farming unions are expected to scrutinise the detail of today’s announcement, particularly around remaining unpaid cases. Last year, late payments led to frustration in parts of the sector, with unions calling for greater certainty as the industry faces rising input costs, supply chain pressures and continued market volatility.

The move to the SFS remains one of the most significant agricultural policy changes in Wales since devolution. Ministers insist the shift is designed to support both food production and environmental stewardship, while critics warn the transition must not undermine farm viability—especially for family-run livestock farms that dominate rural areas such as Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire.

What happens next

Farmers still awaiting their BPS 2025 balance will continue to be processed “as soon as possible”, the Welsh Government said. Officials will also publish updated guidance on the Sustainable Farming Scheme ahead of its launch.

The coming year will therefore become a pivotal moment for Welsh agriculture, as the long-standing BPS framework—which provided over £200m annually to Welsh farmers—makes way for a new results-based model that will shape the industry for decades to come.

News

Improved train timetable launches across Wales

Published

7 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Extra services, later trains and boosted Sunday routes as £800m rail investment takes effect

An improved train timetable has come into force across Wales today (Sunday, 14 December), with Transport for Wales (TfW) introducing more frequent services, stronger connections and additional late-night trains on key routes.

The winter timetable update brings one of the most substantial uplifts in recent years on the Wales and Borders network, forming part of the Welsh Government’s ongoing £800 million investment in brand-new rolling stock and reliability improvements.

More trains and later journeys

Among the upgrades, passengers will see:

A new hourly additional service between Chester and Wrexham, effectively doubling the frequency on one of the region’s busiest commuter corridors.
An extra train in each direction every day on the Heart of Wales line between Swansea and Shrewsbury.
Three later last trains from Cardiff to Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil, supporting shift workers and the night-time economy.
A new hourly Sunday service on the Coryton line in Cardiff.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said improved connectivity was “absolutely vital” for economic growth and passenger confidence.

“These changes will make a real difference to customers, who will benefit from more services and greater connectivity,” he said. “This has been made possible by our £800m investment in brand-new trains for the Wales and Borders network.

“We will see the doubling of trains between Wrexham and Chester and a later service from the capital to valley communities. In South Wales, people will continue to benefit from simpler, fairer fares through TfW’s Pay As You Go service, and its forthcoming introduction in North Wales will help even more passengers access easy, transparent pricing.”

Full details of the updated timetable are available at: tfw.wales/service-status/timetables

News

Wrecked guard boat still under watch off north Pembrokeshire coast

Published

8 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Tidal changes monitored after dramatic early-morning rescue

A GUARD VESSEL that ran aground off the north Pembrokeshire coast in the early hours of Thursday morning (Dec 11) remains under close observation as tides continue to shift.

The Resolute, a 24-metre guard boat understood to be working for an offshore wind project off the Irish coast, had been sheltering in worsening weather when she was pushed onto rocks near Aber Hywel, Dinas, shortly after 3:25am.

Four crew members were onboard when the vessel grounded in rough seas and a strong southerly wind.

Major rescue effort launched

The crew issued an emergency alert, prompting a full multi-agency response.
A coastguard rescue helicopter, both Fishguard RNLI lifeboats, and coastguard teams from Fishguard and St Davids were sent to the scene.

Turbulent air made a winch rescue impossible and Fishguard’s all-weather lifeboat was unable to get close due to cliffs and submerged hazards. The inshore lifeboat was instead deployed to attempt a transfer in extremely challenging conditions.

During the evacuation, the third crew member descending to the vessel’s life raft slipped, fell into the water and was swept away. Speaking afterwards, RNLI crew member Cedwyn Rogers said the team immediately switched into “hyper-focused” mode as training took over.

Despite the casualty drifting, helm Warren Bean — a volunteer with more than 30 years’ RNLI experience — manoeuvred the lifeboat alongside, allowing crew to haul the man to safety. The remaining crew member was then retrieved, and all four were taken aboard the all-weather lifeboat and brought ashore to Fishguard.

All rescue units were later stood down.

Vessel still stranded and taking on water

The Herald understands that the Resolute remained aground on the rocks yesterday and was taking on water. The crew were later assisted back onboard by a local fisherman to assess damage on behalf of the vessel’s operators.

Management representatives from Ireland were due to arrive to draw up a recovery plan, including arrangements to remove fuel to prevent any potential environmental impact.

Further inspections have been taking place today as the team evaluates the next steps.

Coastguard statement

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: “At 3.28am on Thursday morning, HM Coastguard was made aware of a vessel with four persons onboard aground on rocks at Fishguard, Pembrokeshire. RNLI lifeboats and coastguard rescue teams from Fishguard and St Davids were sent to the scene. The four people aboard were rescued by lifeboat, and the helicopter was stood down. The vessel, which is still aground, is being monitored as tidal conditions change.”