Politics

‘Barriers need ripping down’: alarm over ‘shameful’ disability employment gap

Published

6 months ago

June 13, 2025

WALES needs to take a wrecking ball to the barriers disabled people face getting and keeping a job as a “tsunami” of proposed benefits cuts approaches, the Senedd heard.

Jenny Rathbone led a debate on the Senedd equality committee’s report on tackling the disability employment gap, which found too many people face unnecessary barriers.

The gap, which is the difference of employment rates between disabled and non-disabled people, stands at 31% in Wales and has consistently been higher than elsewhere in Britain.

Ms Rathbone said: “We are running out of time. We must get on with it now. This is not about pay slips and productivity – it is about independence, dignity, equality of opportunity and what matters so much to the wellbeing of the individual and of society as a whole.”

The Labour politician, who chairs the equality and social justice committee, told the Senedd: “We need action this day and we need a wrecking ball to the barriers.”

Conservative Altaf Hussain warned that 26% of employed disabled people have not received any reasonable adjustments despite the right being enshrined in the Equality Act 2010.

He pointed to research showing the average cost of adjustments was £75, saying: “We know conclusively it’s not expensive to treat disabled people properly but barriers, sadly, still exist.”

Plaid Cymru’s Sioned Williams warned UK ministers’ proposals to cut benefits, including personal independence payment (Pip), will have a “cataclysmic” impact on disabled people.

She told the Senedd: “The specific barriers that disabled people face in accessing employment, identified in our report, must be addressed before changes to eligibility and support for disabled people are implemented.”

Ms Williams urged Welsh ministers to keep a promise to incorporate the UN convention on the rights of disabled people into law by the end of the Senedd term.

Plaid Cymru's shadow social justice minister, Sioned Williams — Plaid Cymru MS Sioned Williams

Labour’s Hefin David raised the Engage to Change project, which provided employment support to more than 1,000 young people before funding ran out in 2023. “Having that kind of programme running full-time across Wales would be really important,” he said.

Calling for a learning disability employment strategy for Wales, the Caerphilly Senedd Member emphasised the importance of shaping jobs to people’s unique skills.

Dr David, whose daughter is autistic and learning disabled, said: “My daughter can’t read very well, she can’t count very well but you put some plasticine in front of her and she’ll create some amazing things that go way beyond anything I could do.”

Caerphilly's Labour MS Hefin David — Caerphilly’s Labour MS Hefin David

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds said: “Far too many disabled people are feeling let down: they’re losing out but much more importantly we are losing out in society.”

Ms Dodds warned 90% of people in Wales on the standard rate of Pip for daily living could lose their entitlement under proposals. She said: “Instead of being empowered, people are being pushed aside, left to navigate a storm of rising need and shrinking support.”

The ex-social worker urged the Senedd to show leadership, with disabled people making up about 7% of the Welsh Parliament’s staff compared with 11% in the wider Welsh workforce.

Mark Isherwood, who chairs the cross-party group on disability, expressed concerns about Welsh ministers accepting five of the committee’s seven recommendations “in principle”.

He described the Welsh Government’s formal response as inadequate and unacceptable in light of a 2018 commitment to end the practice from the then-permanent secretary.

Labour’s Julie Morgan recounted a “horror story” from one witness about a young disabled girl being the only pupil in her school year who was not allowed to go out on placement.

She also raised evidence from campaigner Dan Biddle who warned statistics show if you are disabled and not in work by the age of 26, it is unlikely you will ever become employed.

Ms Morgan said: “That’s why it is so important to start early, to make sure that disabled children and young people are given absolutely equal rights right from the beginning.”

Responding to the debate on June 11, Jane Hutt said ensuring disabled people can participate fully in society is one of the key values of the Welsh Government.

She told Senedd Members: “We want an inclusive approach to employment that supports disabled people to have equitable access to fulfilling and fair work.”

Wales’ social justice secretary highlighted an ongoing consultation on a draft ten-year disability rights plan which has been criticised for lacking concrete targets.

Pressed for a timeline on incorporating the UN convention, which was an unambiguous commitment in Labour’s 2021 manifesto, Ms Hutt did not provide any such timeframe.

Business

Computer gaming lounge plans for Tenby cinema submitted

Published

2 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

FORMAL plans to turn Tenby’s former Poundland and Royal Playhouse cinema to a retro computer gaming lounge have been submitted to the national park.

Following a takeover by investment firm Gordon Brothers, Poundland shut 57 stores earlier this year, including Tenby’s branch on White Lion Street.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Matthew Mileson of Newport-based MB Games Ltd, seeks permission for a change of use of the former Gatehouse (Playhouse) Cinema, most recently used as a Poundland store to a retro gaming lounge.

This follows a recently submitted application for a ‘CONTINUE? Retro Gaming Lounge’ sign on the front of the former cinema, ahead of the wider scheme for a retro gaming facility at the former cinema site, which has a Grade-II-listed front façade.

A supporting statement for the change of use scheme through agent Asbri Planning Ltd says: “The proposed retro gaming lounge will be inviting to all ages, including families, groups and individuals with no age restriction. The applicant has several similar premises across other parts of the UK and operates under a successful business model.

“This includes a fee being payable to enter the premises which thereby grants access to unlimited game time to all consoles/arcade machines. There will be no slot or coin-based reward games, so the proposal would not be considered/classed as gambling. The site will provide snacks and drinks (including alcohol) which will be canned/bottled drinks.

“The sale of such drinks would be ancillary to the overall function of the premises, and a separate alcohol licence will be submitted, accordingly.”

It adds: “The development would provide a much-welcomed addition to White Lion Rd which will improve the vitality and viability of the immediate area by promoting greater levels of footfall within the area and introduce greater variety to the shopping frontage at this location.”

It proposes opening hours of 10-10, Sunday to Thursday, and to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

The application, and the related signage scheme, will be considered by park planners at a later date.

Prior to being a Poundland, the site was the Royal Playhouse, which had its final curtain in early 2011 after running for nearly a century.

The cinema had been doing poor business after the opening of a multiplex in Carmarthen; in late 2010 the opening night of the-then latest Harry Potter blockbuster only attracted an audience of 12 people.

Business

Cosheston Garden Centre expansion approved by planners

Published

2 days ago

December 13, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS to upgrade a garden centre on the main road to Pembroke Dock have been given the go-ahead.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, submitted through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, Mr and Mrs Wainwright sought permission for upgrade of a garden centre with a relocated garden centre sales area, additional parking and the creation of ornamental pond and wildlife enhancement area (partly in retrospect) at Cosheston Garden Centre, Slade Cross, Cosheston.

The application was a resubmission of a previously refused scheme, with the retrospective aspects of the works starting in late 2023.

The site has a long planning history, and started life as a market garden and turkey farm in the 1980s, and then a number of applications for new development.

A supporting statement says the previously-refused application included setting aside a significant part of the proposed new building for general retail sales as a linked farm shop and local food store/deli in addition to a coffee bar.

It was refused on the grounds of “the proposal was deemed to be contrary to retail policies and the likely impact of that use on the vitality and viability of nearby centres,” the statement said, adding: “Secondly, in noting that vehicular access was off the A 477 (T) the Welsh Government raised an objection on the grounds that insufficient transport information had been submitted in respect of traffic generation and highway safety.”

It said the new scheme seeks to address those issues; the development largely the same with the proposed new garden centre building now only proposed to accommodate a relocated garden centre display sales area rather than a new retail sales area with other goods, but retaining a small ancillary coffee bar area.

“Additional information, in the form of an independent and comprehensive Transport Statement, has now been submitted to address the objection raised by the Welsh Government in respect of highway safety,” the statement said.

It conceded: “It is acknowledged that both the creation of the ornamental pond and ‘overspill’ parking area do not have the benefit of planning permission and therefore these aspects of the application are ‘in retrospect’ and seeks their retention.”

It finished: “Essentially, this proposal seeks to upgrade existing facilities and offer to the general public. It includes the ‘relocation’ of a previously existing retail display area which had been ‘lost’ to the ornamental pond/amenity area and to provide this use within the proposed new building and moves away from the previously proposed ‘farm shop’ idea which we thought had merit.

“This revised proposal therefore involves an ‘upgrading’ rather than an ‘expansion’ of the existing garden centre use.”

An officer report recommending approval said that, while the scheme would still be in the countryside rather than within a settlement boundary, the range of goods sold would be “typical of the type of goods sold in a garden centre and which could be sold elsewhere within the garden centre itself,” adding: “Unlike the recent planning application refused permission it is not intended to sell delicatessen goods, dried food, fruit and vegetables, pet products and gifts.”

It added that a transport statement provided had been reviewed by the Welsh Government, which did not object on highway grounds subject to conditions on any decision notice relating to visibility splays and parking facilities.

The application was conditionally approved.

Business

Tenby Poundland site could become retro gaming lounge

Published

3 days ago

December 12, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

TENBY’S former Poundland and Royal Playhouse cinema could become a retro computer gaming lounge, plans submitted to the national park hope.

Following a takeover by investment firm Gordon Brothers, Poundland shut 57 stores earlier this year, including Tenby.

Prior to being a Poundland, the site was the Royal Playhouse, which had its final curtain in early 2011 after running for nearly a century.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Matthew Mileson of Newport-based MB Games Ltd, seeks permission for a ‘CONTINUE? Retro Gaming Lounge’ sign on the front of the former Gatehouse (Playhouse) Cinema, White Lion Street, most recently used as a Poundland store.

The signage plans form part of a wider scheme for a retro gaming facility at the former cinema site, which has a Grade-II-listed front facade, a supporting statement through agent Asbri Planning Ltd says.

“The subject site is located within the settlement of Tenby along White Lion St. The site was formerly the Gatehouse Cinema and currently operates as a Poundland discount store, which closed on October 18.”

It adds: “This application forms part of a wider scheme for the change of use to the former Gatehouse Cinema. Advertisement consent is sought for a non-illuminated aluminium composite folded panel that will be bolted onto the front façade of the proposed building, in replacement of the existing signage (Poundland).”

It stresses: “It is considered that the proposed advertisement will not have a detrimental impact on the quality of the environment, along with being within a proportionate scale of the building. It is considered that the proposed signage will reflect site function.

“Furthermore, due to the sympathetic scale and design of the sign itself, it is considered that the proposal will not result in any adverse visual amenity impacts.

“The proposal is reduced in sized compared to the existing Poundland advertisement. The sign will not be illuminated. Given the above it is considered that such proportionate signate in association with the proposed retro gaming lounge is acceptable and does not adversely affect visual amenity.”

An application for a retro gaming lounge by MB Games Ltd was recently given the go-ahead in Swansea.