News

Jobs Tax’ puts Pembrokeshire frontline services at risk, warns Paul Davies MS

Published

9 months ago

June 10, 2025

PAUL DAVIES MS has written to the Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council raising urgent concerns over the impact of a £72 million shortfall in employer National Insurance (NI) funding on council budgets across Wales.

The Preseli Pembrokeshire Member of the Senedd said the funding gap stems from a decision by Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves to increase employer NI contributions without passing on full financial support to local authorities.

The change means councils must now pay more to employ staff—adding further strain to already stretched budgets. At the time of the announcement, Wales’s then Finance Secretary, Mark Drakeford, gave a public assurance that the extra cost would be fully funded by the UK Government.

Speaking in November, Mr Drakeford told the Senedd: “The Treasury has said that there will be additional funding for public sector workers to cover the costs of employer national insurance contributions… it will provide full funding to deal with the national insurance contributions of employers in those circumstances.”

However, earlier this week, Mr Drakeford confirmed that the UK Government would not be honouring that commitment in full—leaving a £72 million black hole in the budgets of public services across Wales.

Commenting on the impact locally, Paul Davies MS said: “Local authorities are already under immense financial pressure, and it is bitterly disappointing that the Welsh Government is failing to provide the funding that was promised.

“I have written to the Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council to express my concern that core services such as social care, waste collection, and road maintenance could be at risk.

“If the council does not receive the support it was assured, it may be forced to either reduce essential services or increase local taxation. This crisis has been caused by decisions made by the UK Labour Government—decisions that are now putting the sustainability of our local public services in jeopardy.”

Crime

Four deny murder of Caerphilly teenager

Published

48 minutes ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people have pleaded not guilty to the murder of a 17-year-old boy.

Ricardo Elliot, aged 27, Connor Palfrey, aged 24, Elexi Manny, aged 24, and Georgie Mears, aged 18, appeared before Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday (March 20), where each denied killing Tristan Shae Kerr.

Emergency services were called to a property in Abertridwr, Caerphilly, at around 5:45pm on Wednesday (Feb 5) following reports that a teenage boy had suffered serious injuries. Despite efforts, Tristan was pronounced dead at the scene.

The court heard that the teenager is alleged to have been attacked with a so-called “zombie knife” measuring approximately nine to ten inches in length.

During the hearing, the four defendants spoke only to confirm their personal details and enter their pleas.

A trial is due to begin on August 3 and is expected to last around six weeks. A further pre-trial review has been scheduled for July 24.

All four defendants were remanded in custody.

Paying tribute after his death, Tristan’s family described him as a “deeply loved son, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.”

They said he was quick-witted, with a love for motorbikes and adventure, adding that he had a natural energy that lit up every room and drew people towards him.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

20 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.