News

Rural communities ‘excluded by design’ from UK Government scheme – Plaid Cymru

Published

5 months ago

October 19, 2025

PLAID CYMRU MP Llinos Medi has accused the UK Government of “excluding rural communities by design” from its new Pride in Place scheme.

The MP for Ynys Môn made the comments during a House of Commons debate on the £5 billion, ten-year regeneration programme, which aims to fund 250 “hyper-local” neighbourhoods across the UK. Each selected area — typically with around 10,000 residents — will receive up to £20 million over the decade to support local projects and partnerships.

Ms Medi said that the population threshold automatically ruled out most rural parts of Wales from applying, leaving only Holyhead eligible within her constituency. She argued that this demonstrates a fundamental bias against smaller communities.

Speaking in the Commons, Ms Medi said: “The Government is presenting the Pride in Place programme as a win for communities across the UK. But the focus of this particular scheme is on neighbourhoods of around 10,000 people.

“On Ynys Môn, only one town even meets that population threshold. This isn’t unique to my constituency – it’s the case across much of Wales.

“Can the Minister explain why rural communities are being excluded by design from this specific programme?”

Responding for the UK Government, the Minister said: “We are investing in rural communities – whether in Somerset, Wiltshire, or elsewhere.

“We’ve used clear metrics based on deprivation and the Community Needs Index to focus on the areas that need it most. But this is part of a bigger strategy: empowering communities to reclaim their high streets, supporting local government investment, and working with regional mayors to drive economic prosperity.”

Plaid Cymru council leaders Darren Price (Carmarthenshire), Bryan Davies (Ceredigion), Nia Jeffreys (Gwynedd), and Gary Pritchard (Anglesey) also criticised the initiative, calling it a “political panic button pushed by Labour ahead of a difficult election.”

In a joint statement, they said: “Any funding for communities across Wales is welcome, but it is clear this does not stem from an understanding of Wales’ needs.

“This programme specifically targets neighbourhoods with populations of around 10,000, of which there are only a handful in the four western local authorities we control. This approach highlights the Labour Government’s continued disregard for our rural communities that have been disproportionately underfunded over the years.”

The leaders added that Welsh councils were being “kept in the dark” over eligibility for the scheme, warning that vital local services such as schools, social care, and public spaces risk further under-investment.

Crime

Man accused of breaching sexual harm prevention order sent to Crown Court

Published

38 seconds ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Llanelli magistrates send case to higher court

A 40-YEAR-OLD man has been sent to the Crown Court after appearing before magistrates in connection with an alleged breach of a sexual harm prevention order.

Luke Rogers, aged 40, of C3161 Brimston Cross to Wolfscastle Road, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Friday (Mar 13).

Rogers is charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order on Tuesday (Feb 25), 2026.

He also faces a further charge of driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence on the same date.

No pleas were entered during the hearing.

Magistrates ruled that the case should be dealt with at the Crown Court and sent the matter to the higher court.

Rogers was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Apr 10, 2026.

Crime

Multiple charges of attempted sexual communication with child

Published

13 minutes ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Machynlleth defendant committed to Crown Court for sentence

A 63-YEAR-OLD man has been committed to the Crown Court for after appearing in court over offences involving attempted sexual communication with a child.

John Langdon, aged 63, of Brickfield Street, Machynlleth, appeared before magistrates charged with two offences relating to attempted online sexual contact with a child.

The court heard that between Saturday (Mar 8) and Wednesday (Mar 12), 2026, Langdon attempted to cause a child aged fourteen to view images of sexual activity for the purpose of sexual gratification.

He was also charged with attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child under sixteen by sending videos containing sexual content.

Both offences were prosecuted under the Criminal Attempts Act 1981.

Langdon did not enter a formal plea the hearing.

Magistrates ruled that their sentencing powers were insufficient due to the seriousness of the allegations.

News

Man remanded in custody over coercive behaviour allegation

Published

25 minutes ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Stackpole case heard at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court

A 51-YEAR-OLD man accused of controlling and coercive behaviour towards a former partner has been remanded in custody following his first appearance before magistrates.

Mark Hanson, aged 51, of no fixed abode but linked to Llangunnor Road, Llangunnor, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Friday (Mar 13).

Hanson faces a charge of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship, contrary to Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015.

Prosecutors allege that between January 1, 2024 and March 12, 2026, at Stackpole, Hanson repeatedly engaged in behaviour which was controlling or coercive towards a woman with whom he had been in a relationship.

The court heard the alleged conduct included threats of violence and behaviour said to have had a serious effect on the complainant.

Hanson entered a plea of not guilty to the charge during the hearing.

Magistrates were told that the alleged behaviour spanned more than two years.

A second charge of breaching a domestic abuse protection order was also before the court. It was alleged that on Tuesday (Mar 11) Hanson attended the protected person’s home address at Stackpole despite being subject to an order imposed by Llanelli Magistrates’ Court the previous day.

However, the prosecution withdrew that allegation after it emerged police had incorrectly entered the details relating to the alleged breach.

Magistrates Mrs E Byrne and Mr S McKenzie ordered that Hanson be remanded in custody.

The case will return to Llanelli Magistrates’ Court for its next hearing at a later date.