News

Farage pledges coal revival and steelworks comeback for Wales

Published

1 year ago

June 9, 2025

Reform leader eyes Senedd victory as critics blast ‘fantasy economics’

NIGEL FARAGE visited Port Talbot on Monday (June 10), promising to reopen the town’s steel blast furnaces and revive Welsh coal mines if Reform UK wins the next Senedd election.

Speaking shortly after noon, Farage placed traditional steel-making at the heart of Reform UK’s 2026 campaign in Wales, claiming the town had been “betrayed by 26 years of Labour rule.”

“Our long-term aim is to hopefully reopen Port Talbot steelworks—and instead of importing coal for it, use our own,” Farage told The Mail ahead of his speech.
“Wales needs Reform.”

The plan, which includes reopening domestic coal pits to fuel the blast furnaces, comes after Indian-owned Tata Steel confirmed plans to close both blast furnaces at the Port Talbot plant. The company is shifting to a lower-emission electric arc furnace, but this will not be operational until 2028 and will produce less steel overall—prompting warnings of up to 2,800 job losses.

Farage framed the proposal as an economic rescue mission and a patriotic industrial policy, aiming to outflank Labour on its traditional turf. His speech marks the latest escalation in Reform’s ambition to challenge for power at the 2026 Senedd election, with polls already placing the party above Labour in some regions.

But the proposal drew immediate fire from opposition politicians.

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds MS accused Farage of peddling fantasy politics while ignoring international realities.

“Nigel Farage has some real cheek to come to Port Talbot and promise them the world while his best mate Donald Trump is threatening to destroy the remnants of our steel industry, with yet more tariffs at the end of this month,” she said.

“Like his idols, Donald Trump and Liz Truss, Nigel Farage would wreck the Welsh economy and local services with unfunded tax cuts and the hollowing out of public services.”

Dodds said that while many voters feel abandoned by both Labour in Cardiff and the Conservatives in Westminster, it is the Liberal Democrats who offer realistic local change, especially in health and education.

“In a recent by-election in Neath Port Talbot, we easily beat Reform and pushed Labour into fourth place,” she added. “Industrial heartlands aren’t buying what Reform is selling.”

Nigel Farage’s calls for Port Talbot’s blast furnaces to be reopened are ‘more lies from an opportunistic chancer’, GMB union has said.

Ruth Brady, GMB Regional Secretary, told The Pembrokeshire Herald in a sharply worded statement exactly what he thought of the plan: “The people of Port Talbot will see this for what it is: more lies from this opportunistic chancer.

“Nigel Farage was happy to let British Steel go to the wall.

“He’ll trot out any line when the cameras are rolling. He doesn’t care about steel communities or steel workers.

“The deal to shut the blast furnaces was signed and sealed by the last Tory government.

“With the opportunities offered by floating offshore wind and the industrial clusters strategy, it’s now time for the Labour government to make good on their promises to our members in Port Talbot.

“We’ll be watching the spending review this week closely.”

Farage’s visit comes just days after party turmoil saw Zia Yusuf resign as Reform chairman, only to return two days later in a redefined leadership role. Monday’s rally was seen as an attempt by Farage to reset the campaign and reassert his party’s direction.

The promise to reopen coal mines will be controversial in Wales, where the last deep coal mine closed in 2008, and the environmental legacy of mining remains raw in many communities. Environmental campaigners have previously warned that such proposals ignore climate commitments and the long-term shift to greener energy.

However, supporters at the rally welcomed the focus on jobs and national self-reliance. Local resident Martin Davies, 58, told The Herald: “We’ve had enough of broken promises. If someone’s talking about proper work and not just cutting back all the time, I’ll listen.”

Farage ended his speech by warning voters not to let “the political establishment shut Wales down from the inside out,” and said Reform would “bring energy, jobs and pride back to this country.”

PHOTO CAPTION:

Coal comeback: Nigel Farage delivers a speech in Port Talbot promising to revive steel and mining if Reform wins in 2026 (Pic: Farage/Reform/X)

Local Government

Milford Haven civic service marks start of mayoral year

Published

5 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Mayor’s charities named as civic leaders gather at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church

THE CIVIC SERVICE of the Mayor of Milford Haven, Cllr Mark Woodward, took place at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (June 20).

The service marked Cllr Woodward’s election as Mayor and First Citizen of Milford Haven.

It was conducted by Rev Dr Adrian Furse and Canon John Cecil, with music from church organist Richard Stephens, Gelliswick Community Choir and Milford Haven Town Band.

Guides and Brownies, Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets were also among those taking part, with councillors Colin Sharp and Yvonne Southwell acting as ushers.

Refreshments followed at Milford Haven Bowling Club.

Local MS Paul Davies was among those attending the service and wished the new mayor all the best for his term in office.

Cllr Woodward’s chosen charities for the year are Patch Charity and Greenacres Rescue.

Photo caption:

Civic guests attended the Mayor of Milford Haven’s service at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (Pic: Supplied)

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

15 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

15 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.