News

‘Don’t judge young people by parents’ jobs,’ says  Kurtz in civil service row

Published

8 months ago

August 5, 2025

WELSH Conservative Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz has criticised new rules for the UK Civil Service Summer Internship Programme, warning they risk excluding talented young people based on “crude and outdated” assumptions about their parents’ jobs.

The changes, introduced by the UK Government, mean applicants will be assessed partly on what their parents did for a living when the applicant was aged 14. The scheme is aimed specifically at students from lower socio‑economic backgrounds, with eligibility based on Social Mobility Commission criteria.

The internships offer paid eight‑week placements, mentoring, and fast‑track access to the prestigious Civil Service Fast Stream graduate scheme. Ministers say the change will help address long‑standing underrepresentation, with figures showing that only around 12% of Fast Stream entrants currently come from disadvantaged backgrounds, despite such students making up a quarter of UK undergraduates.

Supporters — including some social mobility advocates and trade unions — say the move will break down barriers and give opportunities to those who might otherwise miss out on a civil service career.

However, critics — among them Conservative MPs, former Cabinet Office minister Kemi Badenoch, and Mr Kurtz — argue the new rules replace one form of exclusivity with another, potentially sidelining merit‑based recruitment.

As the son of a farmer, Mr Kurtz questioned the logic of using parental job titles as a proxy for social class or opportunity. He pointed out that some jobs often classed as “working‑class” — such as train driving — can pay more than those labelled “middle‑class”, such as teaching.

Mr Kurtz said: “We should be helping young people based on their own ability and potential, not shutting them out because of what their parents happened to do when they were 14. Some of the Government’s assumptions about class are just plain wrong. Train drivers can earn more than teachers. Farmers can be wealthy or struggling. You simply can’t categorise people’s opportunities with a tick‑box exercise.

“I’ve asked the First Minister to confirm that the Welsh Government won’t be following suit. Every young person deserves a fair shot, regardless of postcode or parentage.”

The Welsh Government has not yet confirmed whether it plans to introduce similar rules for its own internship programmes.

Crime

Neighbourhood policing boosted across Dyfed-Powys

Published

4 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has announced a significant expansion of its Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Teams (NPPT), with more officers being deployed to frontline roles where demand is greatest.

From Monday (Mar 16), teams across the force area have been strengthened, with a renewed focus on tackling antisocial behaviour and preventing crime at its source.

The force says the move is aimed at reducing repeat demand by addressing the root causes of offending, rather than simply responding to incidents.

To achieve this, a number of officers have been redeployed from central departments back into frontline policing, while new posts are also being created to bolster capacity.

Temporary Chief Superintendent Steve Davies, head of uniform policing, said: “These changes are about increasing frontline visibility and ensuring we have the right resources in the right places.

“They form part of a wider programme of improvements across the force to enhance effectiveness and efficiency, while also supporting the wellbeing of our officers and staff.

“This is positive news for our communities, who will benefit from stronger neighbourhood teams focused on local priorities and proactive policing.”

The expansion has been made possible through Home Office funding under the Neighbourhood Guarantee scheme, which is designed to strengthen community safety and crime prevention.

Dyfed-Powys Police has been allocated £1.4 million for 2025/26, enabling the recruitment of police staff and freeing up officers previously in support roles to return to operational duties.

As a result, four sergeants and 29 police officers have now been reassigned to neighbourhood teams across the force.

Each NPPT area will also have a named officer, with full team details available via the ‘Your Area’ section of the Dyfed-Powys Police website.

The force has also secured early access to 2026/27 Neighbourhood Guarantee funding, which will see a further 12 officers recruited between April and the autumn—adding to overall officer numbers in the region.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “Neighbourhood policing is about more than numbers—it’s about relationships.

“Greater visibility helps build trust, strengthens community ties, and reassures the public that policing is present, responsive, and committed to keeping people safe.

“I remain committed to improving police visibility across our communities, and these additional officers will help turn that ambition into reality.”

Crime

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

Published

4 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.