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RT Davies: “Senedd ministers must drop asylum seeker plan”

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ANDREW RT DAVIES MS has called on Welsh ministers to scrap their plans to make Wales a “Nation of Sanctuary” for asylum seekers, after the government reaffirmed that it was “proud” of the policy.

Mr Davies described the initiative as “highly irresponsible” and claimed it would encourage more people to enter the UK illegally and put pressure on public services.

The comments follow a vote by Plaid Cymru, Labour and “Llantwit First” councillors in the Vale of Glamorgan to declare the area a “County of Sanctuary” for asylum seekers — a move opposed by local Conservatives.

Mr Davies said: “Illegal migration poses huge problems for our communities. Not only does it place unsustainable pressures on our public services, it also leads to an increased risk of crime.

“The message must be clear: if you are in Britain illegally, you are not welcome here and you will be removed.

“But Plaid, Labour and the Lib Dems’ Nation of Sanctuary policy delivers the opposite. Not only does it openly advertise asylum seekers’ entitlements to housing and services, resources are allocated towards helping them access them.

“Various organisations are also funded which provide people with legal advice and assistance to avoid deportation.

“In the past week, Plaid and Labour have doubled down on the policy, both in the Vale of Glamorgan Council and in the Senedd.

“I have long opposed this highly irresponsible policy, which goes against the needs and wishes of people in the Vale of Glamorgan. Both the Nation and County of Sanctuary must be scrapped.”

Welsh Government defends “compassionate response”

In response, Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt MS, defended the Nation of Sanctuary policy as a “compassionate response” that helps people fleeing persecution to rebuild their lives and contribute to local communities.

She said the Welsh Government does not decide how many asylum seekers are placed in Wales — that remains a responsibility of the UK Home Office — but confirmed Wales had committed to welcoming up to five per cent of arrivals.

“We believe this compassionate response gives people seeking sanctuary the best start possible and also helps local services and communities too,” Ms Hutt said.

Between 2019 and 2025, the total cost of the policy has been around £55 million, with 82 per cent of that funding directed towards supporting Ukrainian arrivals, which had cross-party backing in the Senedd.

Critics accuse Conservatives of “hypocrisy”

Llanelli councillor Shaun Greaney accused Mr Davies and other Conservatives of inconsistency, saying they had not opposed the sanctuary approach when it was applied to Ukrainian refugees.

He said: “It’s morally indefensible to praise the policy when it helps Ukrainians but attack it when it helps others. The Welsh Government’s approach reflects the warm Welsh welcome that people around the world associate with our nation.”

Background

Wales was formally recognised as the world’s first “Nation of Sanctuary” in 2019, committing to improve support for refugees and asylum seekers through housing, education, and community integration.

The scheme has received praise from charities and international human rights groups, but continues to face criticism from Conservatives, who say it diverts limited resources away from local residents.

 

Crime

Two arrested after high-value shoplifting incident in Kilgetty

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TWO men have been arrested on suspicion of shoplifting following a rapid police response to a reported high-value theft at a supermarket in Kilgetty.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were called to the Co-op store at around 3.35pm on Wednesday (Jan 28), after a report that a large quantity of alcohol and other items had been stolen.

Using information provided by the caller, Roads Policing Unit officers worked closely with control room staff to identify a vehicle believed to be involved. Several patrol cars were deployed, and the vehicle was located a short time later travelling east.

Police said the safety of all those involved was treated as a priority, with specialist Tactical Pursuit and Containment (TPAC) advice obtained while officers maintained constant observation of the vehicle.

The car was brought to a safe stop on a back road approaching Hendy, involving three Roads Policing Unit vehicles. No injuries or damage were reported.

Following roadside checks, two men — aged 67 and 46 — were arrested on suspicion of theft from a shop.

Both remain in police custody while enquiries continue.

Police said the swift response helped prevent further offending and demonstrated the effectiveness of specialist roads policing officers acting on real-time intelligence.

 

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Climate

Breaking down barriers between finance and industry in offshore renewables sector

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EARLIER this week, Marine Energy Wales brought together senior representatives from national and devolved finance institutions with developers, ports and supply-chain companies operating across Wales’ offshore renewable energy sector for a dedicated finance roundtable in Pembroke Dock. Attendance was limited to premium MEW members to allow for frank, focused discussion.

The session was intentionally designed to be different.

Rather than relying on formal presentations or sales pitches, the roundtable created a facilitated, closed-door space for open dialogue. Finance organisations were able to explain clearly how they operate, what types of projects they can support, and where constraints still exist. Industry participants, in turn, set out the real-world challenges they are facing across tidal energy, floating offshore wind, port infrastructure and supply-chain development.

What emerged was more than information sharing—it was a clearer, shared understanding of how decisions are made on both sides.

From siloed conversations to shared problem-solving

A consistent theme from the discussion was that significant public and institutional finance is now available to support clean energy projects. However, navigating that landscape remains complex, particularly for early-stage developments, smaller supply-chain businesses and emerging technologies.

By bringing the right people into the room at the same time, the roundtable helped to:

  • demystify how different finance bodies assess risk, scale and project readiness
  • highlight where policy ambition, market signals and investment criteria are not yet aligned
  • identify opportunities where better sequencing and coordination of funding could unlock progress
  • establish direct relationships that will support follow-up conversations beyond the room

The discussion also surfaced where gaps remain. In particular, the need for clearer market signals and more tailored support for tidal stream and other early-stage marine technologies was repeatedly raised. These are challenges that are difficult to address in isolation, but far more productive to tackle collectively.

The value of convening

For Marine Energy Wales, the roundtable reinforced the importance of our role as a neutral convener for the sector.

Members consistently tell us that access to finance is one of the most significant barriers to progress—not only in terms of capital availability, but in understanding how to engage effectively with funders. At the same time, finance organisations are keen to deepen their understanding of project development timelines, technology risk and the scale of Welsh supply-chain ambition.

Creating space for those conversations is where real value is added.

This is not about Marine Energy Wales brokering individual deals. It is about building shared understanding, reducing friction, and helping to align finance, policy and industry around credible pathways to delivery.

What comes next

This roundtable was not a one-off.

Marine Energy Wales is committed to continuing this work, developing structured and trusted forums where finance, industry and government can engage early, openly and constructively. As Wales moves from ambition to delivery in offshore wind and tidal energy, these relationships and conversations will be critical to ensuring projects are investable, deliverable and anchored in Welsh economic benefit.

We will continue to work with our members and partners to identify priority issues, convene the right voices, and help turn opportunity into tangible outcomes on the ground.

 

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Business

Eight-year prison sentence after vehicle stop uncovers drugs worth over £150,000

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A ROUTINE vehicle stop by roads policing officers has led to an eight-year prison sentence after more than £150,000 worth of illegal drugs were discovered in a car in Pembrokeshire.

On Friday, January 2, officers from the Roads Policing Unit stopped a grey Seat Ateca on Hoyland Road, Pembroke. The vehicle was being driven by 43-year-old Dean Evans.

During the stop, Evans told officers they would find “stuff” in the car. He and the vehicle were subsequently searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

A search of the boot uncovered a cardboard box containing a one-kilogram block of cocaine and ten half-kilogram packages of herbal cannabis. The street value of the drugs was estimated to be well in excess of £150,000.

Evans was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs. He was later charged with possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs.

The 43-year-old pleaded guilty at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, January 3.

On Thursday, January 28, Evans was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court to eight years’ imprisonment for possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

DC Jones, from Dyfed-Powys Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: “Tackling the supply of illegal drugs is a priority for Dyfed-Powys Police, and the misery that illegal drugs bring to local communities will not be tolerated.

“We welcome the sentence passed to Dean Evans, given the large quantity of harmful drugs he was caught trafficking into Pembrokeshire.

“This sentence should serve as a stark warning to anyone tempted to become involved in the illegal drugs trade in Dyfed and Powys.”

 

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