News

Wales faces deepening housing crisis as new figures show drop in home building

Published

1 year ago

April 3, 2025

Welsh Conservatives blame Labour for continued shortfall in new homes

THE LATEST housing figures from the Welsh Government have revealed a sharp drop in house building across Wales, deepening concerns over what opposition politicians are calling a “self-made housing crisis”.

Data covering the period from October to December 2024 shows that only 1,116 new dwellings were started in Wales — a 27% decrease compared to the same period the previous year. Completions also dropped, with just 1,336 new homes completed, a 12% fall from the previous year.

The figures have sparked renewed criticism from the Welsh Conservatives, who accuse the Labour-led Welsh Government of failing to prioritise housing policy effectively.

Laura Anne Jones MS, the Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Housing & Local Government, said the latest numbers highlighted a deepening problem.

“These latest figures highlight Labour’s self-made housing crisis in Wales,” she said.

“Labour simply aren’t building enough suitable homes and hardworking people are struggling to get on the housing ladder. Their obsession with second homes and their toxic tourism tax are the wrong priorities for Wales. The Welsh Conservatives would ensure more homes are built and empty homes are brought back into use.”

Drop across all sectors

The Welsh Government’s statistical bulletin confirms a decrease in house building across all tenures — private sector, social housing, and local authority-led construction.

The biggest fall was seen in the private sector, which accounted for 62% of all new dwelling completions but saw a 15% year-on-year decrease in total numbers. Social housing completions fell by 6%, and the small number of homes built by local authorities (only 62 units) represented a 13% fall on the same period the year before.

The slowdown comes amid wider concerns about housing affordability, population growth, and the availability of construction labour and materials.

Tourism tax and second homes policy under fire

The Welsh Conservatives have linked the slowdown to what they describe as Labour’s “misguided” focus on issues like second homes and tourism levies. The proposed visitor levy — sometimes referred to as a “tourism tax” — would allow local authorities to charge overnight visitors in a bid to generate revenue for communities affected by high levels of tourism.

Critics say the move could damage the rural economy and does nothing to address the underlying issue of housing supply.

In contrast, Labour ministers argue the measures are designed to help address the affordability crisis in areas where second home ownership has driven up house prices and left local people priced out.

Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change with responsibility for housing, has previously defended the Welsh Government’s approach, saying efforts are underway to bring empty properties back into use and expand affordable housing through innovative schemes.

Rural communities hit hardest

The figures are particularly concerning for rural areas such as Pembrokeshire, Gwynedd, and Ceredigion, where housing demand remains high but new developments are often held back by planning delays and community opposition.

With fewer than 4,800 homes started across Wales in the whole of 2024, housing charities have also raised concerns that the government is unlikely to meet its target of delivering 20,000 new low-carbon homes for rent during this Senedd term.

Shelter Cymru and other housing organisations have repeatedly warned of a worsening crisis in homelessness and temporary accommodation, as local councils struggle to keep pace with rising demand.

Political pressure mounting

With the next Senedd elections coming up in 2026, housing is likely to remain a key political battleground.

The Welsh Conservatives are calling for:

A national strategy to bring empty homes back into use
A review of planning laws to streamline development approvals
Greater investment in infrastructure to support new housing schemes

Meanwhile, Labour will continue to argue that their policies are geared toward long-term sustainability and fairness — especially in communities where local people have been priced out by the second home market.

But with house building in decline and demand on the rise, pressure is growing on ministers in Cardiff Bay to act swiftly before the housing gap becomes unbridgeable.

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

2 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

2 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.