News

Teacher pay row intensifies as NAHT Cymru responds to Welsh Government offer

Published

6 months ago

June 14, 2025

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has come under fire from a leading education union after announcing its latest pay recommendation for teachers and school leaders.

Laura Doel, National Secretary of NAHT Cymru, has criticised the government’s proposal of a 4% pay increase, arguing it falls short of the 4.8% uplift recommended by the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body (IWPRB).

The union, which represents headteachers and senior school leaders, welcomed the IWPRB’s recognition of the recruitment and retention crisis in Welsh schools, but expressed disappointment that the Welsh Government appeared unwilling to fully honour the review body’s advice on financial grounds.

“While we are relieved that the IWPRB has listened to the evidence put forward on behalf of leaders about the challenges with recruitment and retention, we are concerned that the Welsh Government’s counteroffer of 4% seeks to ignore the recommendations of the review body due to affordability,” said Ms Doel.

The Welsh Government has framed the pay offer as part of a two-year package, combining last year’s 5% award with this year’s proposed 4% to give a headline figure of 9% over two years. However, NAHT Cymru has criticised this approach, saying it creates a “false impression” and does not reflect the pay pressures currently facing the profession.

“For over a decade we have been campaigning for pay restoration,” Ms Doel said. “Years of below-inflation and partly funded pay awards have left teachers and leaders significantly behind other graduate professions—up to 20% behind where pay would be if it had kept pace with inflation.”

The union has also questioned what the government means by describing the pay award as “fully funded,” warning that in the past, similar claims have led to confusion and inconsistent levels of support for schools.

“Leaders will be forced to make incredibly difficult decisions about how to balance the books,” she said. “That could mean cutting support, reducing resources, or not replacing staff—actions that ultimately harm pupils’ education and undermine the goal of improving standards.”

Ms Doel also accused ministers of placing school leaders in an unfair position: “They shouldn’t be expected to choose between providing for their learners and being paid what they are owed. Other professions are not made to feel guilty in this way, and leaders should not be either.”

NAHT Cymru has confirmed it will consult its members on the offer but warned it has no intention of recommending a deal that it believes will worsen the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said the proposed award reflects “the financial constraints facing the public sector” and noted that discussions with unions are ongoing.

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.