News

Wales faces £466m blow from disability benefit reforms

Published

7 months ago

May 29, 2025

Analysis warns cuts could hit 190,000 people as concern grows over impact on poorest communities

WELSH families could collectively lose up to £466 million by 2029-30 under planned UK government reforms to disability benefits, new analysis has revealed.

The figures, produced by Policy in Practice for the BBC estimate that nearly 190,000 people across Wales – around 6% of the population – may be affected by changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and related support schemes.

PIP is designed to cover the additional costs of living with a disability, but eligibility is set to be tightened under the UK government’s proposals. Critics say the plans could remove essential support from some of the most vulnerable people in society.

A breakdown of the potential impact by region found that Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil, and Neath Port Talbot could be the worst hit areas per head of population.

Sam Fathers, of Policy in Practice, warned that some individuals could see as much as 60% of their income vanish if the reforms go ahead as planned. “This is potentially thousands of pounds a year taken from people already living on the edge,” he said.

While the changes remain in consultation, concern is mounting across political lines. Mick Antoniw MS, a senior Labour figure in the Senedd, said the reforms lacked a coherent anti-poverty strategy.

“What’s missing is a clear agenda focused on lifting people out of poverty. These proposals seem driven more by cost-cutting than compassion,” he said.

Since 2019, there has been a 45% rise in the number of working-age people across the UK claiming health-related benefits. The UK government argues that reforms are needed to curb rising costs and aims to save £5 billion annually by 2030.

Ministers say a £1 billion support package will help more disabled people return to work, including a “try before you buy” scheme allowing claimants to attempt jobs without immediately losing benefits.

But critics remain unconvinced. Policy in Practice’s modelling suggests that even if 10% of claimants were successfully supported back into work, poverty levels in Wales would still rise.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: “Most current PIP claimants will continue to receive it. We are committed to protecting those who genuinely cannot work and will ensure the system remains fair and sustainable.”

“We’ve also launched a review of the PIP assessment process and will work closely with disabled people and organisations in Wales as part of that process.”

Despite those assurances, campaigners fear that the poorest communities in Wales could bear the brunt of yet another squeeze on welfare.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

12 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

12 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

12 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.