News

Plaid Cymru secures Welsh Government support on sunscreen VAT

Published

6 months ago

June 13, 2025

A SENEDD Member has secured a commitment from the Welsh Government to raise the issue of removing VAT on sunscreen with UK Ministers.

Sioned Williams MS, who represents South Wales West for Plaid Cymru, wrote to Health Secretary Jeremy Miles last month urging him to support efforts to make sunscreen more affordable.

The call comes as Wales continues to record the highest rates of skin cancer in the UK. Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) now accounts for 43 per cent of all new cancer cases in Wales, with the age-standardised incidence increasing by more than seven per cent between 2016 and 2019.

In her letter, sent on May 1, Sioned Williams argued that classifying sunscreen as a luxury cosmetic product – and taxing it at the full rate of VAT – is contributing to the problem. She said rising prices are discouraging people from using adequate protection, putting lives at risk and increasing pressure on the NHS.

She wrote: “While I know that VAT is a reserved matter, can I ask whether you would be minded to support the removal of VAT on sunscreen, and would you be willing to raise this with your colleagues in the UK Government?”

In a written reply, Jeremy Miles MS confirmed that the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language “would be happy” to raise the issue with Westminster and had already asked his officials to contact UK Government departments.

Sioned Williams said: “While skin cancer is treatable and the survival rate is high, in many cases it’s also completely preventable. But despite its essential role in protecting our health, sunscreen is still classed as a cosmetic product.

“Removing the barriers that are stopping people from using sunscreen is essential, and there is already research to show that the long-term savings far outweigh the loss of revenue from VAT. I’m pleased the Welsh Government is responding to Plaid Cymru’s calls on this important matter.”

The letter also referenced work by Melanoma Focus, which found that cutting VAT on SPF 30+ sunscreen could prevent up to 3,200 cases of melanoma annually and save the NHS £128 million a year – nearly double the estimated £67 million cost of removing VAT.

A previous debate in the Senedd led by Ms Williams focused on the role of schools in promoting sun safety, and cited findings from Swansea University’s Sunproofed project, which showed many schools are not providing adequate education on skin protection.

The Office for National Statistics says sunscreen prices have risen by almost 30 per cent in the last two years.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

9 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

10 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

10 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.