News

Welsh Conservatives pledge to scrap Welsh stamp duty

Published

9 months ago

October 8, 2025

THE PARTY says abolishing Land Transaction Tax would boost home ownership, but critics warn it could cut funds for public services

The Welsh Conservatives have announced plans to abolish Land Transaction Tax (LTT) on primary residences if they form the next Welsh Government.

The proposal follows UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch’s pledge to remove stamp duty for homebuyers in England. In Wales, LTT serves as the equivalent property purchase tax and currently raises around £147 million a year from ‘main rate residential’ sales.

Welsh Conservative Leader Darren Millar MS said the tax “saps aspiration” and must be scrapped to help young people onto the housing ladder and stimulate the Welsh economy.

“The aspiration-sapping Welsh stamp duty must be scrapped to get our housing market and economy moving, and to give people the dignity of owning their own home,” said Mr Millar.

“I want Wales to be a home-owning democracy where everyone has a stake in their local community, and more money in their own pockets.”

He added that the party would use part of the £400 million in unallocated funding announced by the Welsh Finance Minister for next year’s budget to offset the cost of abolishing the tax.

Welsh Conservative housing spokesperson Joel James MS said the current system “stands in the way of mobility in our housing market.”

“Home ownership is out of reach for far too many young people and Land Transaction Tax stands in the way. It must be abolished, and we will abolish it,” he said.

However, opponents have questioned the move, warning that scrapping LTT could reduce funds available for schools, hospitals and local government.

Labour ministers argue that the tax helps fund essential public services and that targeted support, rather than tax cuts, is a fairer way to address housing affordability.

The Welsh Government has not yet responded directly to the proposal, but has previously said that LTT ensures those buying higher-value properties make a fair contribution to public finances.

Health

Woman jailed assaults on police, harassment and XL Bully possession

Published

54 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CARMARTHEN woman has been jailed after admitting a lengthy catalogue of offences including assaults on police officers, harassment, breaching a Community Protection Notice, shop theft, possession of an XL Bully dog and assaulting a paramedic.

Tilly Rees, 25, of Llys Caermedi, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18).

The court heard that Rees admitted multiple breaches of a Community Protection Notice issued in 2025, including incidents in which she shouted abuse in public, caused distress to residents and repeatedly targeted individuals named in court proceedings.

Harassment campaign

Among the offences was a harassment charge relating to a course of conduct against a Carmarthen man between March and May this year.

Prosecutors said Rees approached him on multiple occasions, shouted abuse, called him a paedophile and video-recorded him and his home.

She also admitted a series of Community Protection Notice breaches linked to the same behaviour.

Police assaults

The court heard that Rees assaulted a number of police officers during incidents in Llanelli on May 1 and May 5.

Several assault charges against serving police constables were taken into account by the court when sentence was passed.

A further charge of assaulting a paramedic at Dafen Police Station on June 12 was also admitted.

Shop theft and XL Bully

Rees also admitted stealing items including sanitary products, deodorant, skincare products and reading glasses from a Carmarthen pharmacy.

In a separate matter, she admitted possessing an XL Bully dog contrary to the Dangerous Dogs Act. The court ordered the dog to be forfeited and destroyed after Rees relinquished her rights to it.

Restraining orders imposed

District Judge M Layton imposed a number of restraining orders preventing Rees from contacting named individuals or referring to them online.

The orders prohibit direct or indirect contact and restrict social media activity relating to those protected by the orders.

Jailed for 26 weeks

Magistrates concluded that only an immediate custodial sentence could be justified.

Rees was sentenced to a total of 26 weeks’ imprisonment.

The court heard that some of the offences were committed while she was already subject to a suspended sentence, while others involved assaults on emergency workers carrying additional aggravating factors.

Crime

Bomb hoax allegation lands Carmarthenshire man before court

Published

1 hour ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A CARMARTHENSHIRE man has appeared before magistrates accused of making a bomb hoax and assaulting police officers.

Anthony Mold, 38, of Sandy Road, Llanelli, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Mold is charged with communicating false information by alleging that a bomb or other explosive substance was present at Dafen Police Station.

The allegation relates to an incident on May 6 this year.

The defendant also faces charges of assaulting two police officers, damaging a police vehicle, and breaching a Community Protection Notice.

Court records show the damage charge relates to a Dyfed-Powys Police vehicle.

Mold entered guilty pleas to the offences before the court.

District Judge M Layton remanded him in custody for the preparation of reports ahead of sentencing.

The case was adjourned until Thursday, July 2, when Mold is due to be sentenced at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

Crime

Carmarthenshire pensioner, 86, accused of causing prostitution for gain

Published

1 hour ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

AN 86-YEAR-OLD Carmarthenshire pensioner has appeared before magistrates accused of causing or inciting prostitution for gain.

Hywel Charles, of Rhandirfelin, Llanelli, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Charles is charged under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 with intentionally causing or inciting another person to become a prostitute for, or in expectation of, gain for himself.

The allegation relates to an incident said to have taken place at Llanelli on October 9, 2025.