News
Spending Review slammed as rail funding ‘falls short’ for Wales
Tories accuse Labour of rewriting history, Lib Dems say Wales ‘gets the scraps’, and unions urge caution
LABOUR’S headline £445 million pledge for Welsh rail has come under fire from all sides of the political spectrum following this week’s UK Government Spending Review.
Welsh Conservatives have strongly criticised the announcement, calling it a “kick in the teeth” and accusing Labour of trying to take credit for a level of investment that pales in comparison to previous Conservative funding.
During Control Periods 5 and 6, the UK Government invested £750 million and £350 million in Welsh rail infrastructure respectively—totalling £1.1 billion, compared to the £445 million now pledged with no clear timeline. Conservatives also say Labour continues to claim credit for the South Wales Metro, despite half of it being funded by the previous UK Government through the Growth Deal.
Sam Rowlands MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure, said: “While any investment in Wales is welcome, it is disingenuous for Labour to frame this announcement as ‘generous’ when previous UK Conservative Government contributions far exceeded these figures.
“We were promised two Governments on either side of the M4 working together for the benefit of Wales, but instead, we have seen broken promises and a reluctance to provide Wales with its fair share of funding.”
Welsh Conservative Leader Darren Millar MS added: “Eluned Morgan in Cardiff Bay and Keir Starmer in Westminster have failed, forgotten and fleeced the people of Wales.”
The Welsh Liberal Democrats also expressed dismay, with Westminster Spokesperson David Chadwick MP saying: “Yet again, we have seen Wales get the scraps. The funding announced today falls far short of the billions owed to Wales over recent years.
“Without devolving rail fully to Wales, we will continue to see these scandals repeat as English projects are ramped up while we’re left behind.”
However, the GMB union welcomed parts of the Spending Review, particularly the funding pledges for healthcare and education.
Rachel Harrison, GMB National Secretary, said: “GMB will always welcome extra cash for the NHS, and fresh money for the police, prisons and probation is something we’ve long called for, along with funding for school buildings and mental health provision in education.”
Despite that optimism, financial experts have issued a stark warning over the long-term fiscal consequences
Nigel Green, CEO of global advisory firm deVere Group, said the Chancellor is “spending money she hasn’t got” and warned of a looming “tax reckoning” in the Autumn Budget.
“Every signal from this Spending Review points to the UK tightening the screws on its most mobile, economically productive residents. And they’re already voting with their feet,” said Green.
The Welsh Government has yet to respond to the escalating criticism. A full breakdown of the transport funding timeline and allocations is expected later this month.
Spending Review 2025: Key points at a glance
Chancellor sets out multi-year budgets and investment plans
Health
- NHS day-to-day budget in England to rise 3% in real terms, reaching £226bn by 2029.
Education
- Schools budget to rise 0.4% in real terms.
- Free school meals expanded to 500,000 more children.
- £615m set aside for teacher pay rise—schools to fund a quarter of the cost.
Crime and Justice
- Home Office day-to-day budget to fall 1.7%.
- Police “spending power” up 2.3% a year—dependent on local tax increases.
- Border Security Command to get £280m more by 2029.
- Pledge to end hotel use for asylum seekers.
- Ministry of Justice to receive 1.8% annual increases.
Defence
- Daily MoD budget up 0.7% in real terms.
- Investment spending to average 7.3% over the period.
- Defence spending to rise from 2.3% to 2.5% of GDP by 2027.
Housing and Local Government
- £39bn pledged for social housing in England (2026–2036).
- Annual average spend to rise from £2.3bn to £3.9bn.
Transport, Energy and Environment
- £15.6bn for English regional transport (2027–2031).
- £11.5bn public investment committed for Sizewell C nuclear project.
- £3 cap on single bus fares extended to March 2027.
- Treasury to revise rules for assessing infrastructure projects.
International Affairs
- Foreign Office budget to drop 6.8% in real terms.
- Overseas aid to fall to 0.3% of national income by 2027.
Local Government
Milford Haven civic service marks start of mayoral year
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
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.

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.

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
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.
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