News

Wales climate week: people at the heart of net zero

Published

8 months ago

October 22, 2025

New discussion paper invites national input on how Wales can deliver and benefit from the green transition

DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies MS, has reaffirmed the Welsh Government’s commitment to working together to tackle the climate emergency — and to ensuring that every voice in Wales is heard in shaping the journey to net zero.

“As we look ahead to Wales Climate Week in November,” he said, “I’m excited to hear a wide range of perspectives on the opportunities and trade-offs involved in tackling climate change. We are developing the pathway to reduce emissions in the next carbon budget period (2026–2030), and this year more than ever we need the input of as many people as possible.”

The Deputy First Minister stressed that addressing the climate crisis must also deliver wider benefits — improving public health, protecting the environment, creating jobs, enhancing energy security, and helping people save money.

New discussion paper published

The Welsh Government has published a new paper, Enabling the People of Wales to Deliver and Benefit from the Net Zero Transition in 2026–2030 and Beyond. It brings together the latest independent evidence and advice from the Climate Change Committee, the Net Zero Wales 2035 Challenge Group and other expert bodies.

The paper outlines current policy across agriculture, land use, housing, and transport, and explores the opportunities and challenges that will shape Wales’s next steps on the path to net zero.

Looking ahead to COP30

November 2025 will also see Brazil host COP30 — marking a decade since the Paris Agreement. The Deputy First Minister said this will be a defining moment in global climate action and that Wales will continue to “stand firm and stand proud as a global leader” — citing progress in sustainable development, recycling, transport, and collaborative policy-making.

A national conversation

The publication of the paper marks the start of a new phase of engagement. It will form the basis for discussions during Wales Climate Week 2025 through virtual events, regional workshops and community-led sessions. Feedback will help shape Wales’s next emissions reduction plan, due in 2026.

“The Welsh Government remains committed to a fair and just transition,” Huw Irranca-Davies said, “ensuring that the people of Wales are actively involved in shaping the policies that affect them. This discussion paper is a key part of that commitment.”

Members of the public and stakeholders are invited to read the paper and contribute their views via the Climate Action Wales website, where further details about Wales Climate Week are available.

Crime

Portfield Gate man faces careless driving allegation after Tufton crash

Published

38 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

Court Reporter

A PORTFIELD GATE man has appeared before magistrates accused of failing to stop after a road accident on the B4329.

Tony Mallon, 32, of Chestnut Tree Cottage, Portfield Gate, Haverfordwest, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 17).

He is charged with driving a Peugeot Partner without due care and attention on the B4329 Preselly Mountain Road at Tufton on November 12, 2025.

Mallon is also accused of failing to stop after an accident in which damage was allegedly caused to a Toyota Auris, and failing to report the accident to police within 24 hours.

The case was adjourned at the request of the defence for an intermediary report to be prepared.

Mallon is due to appear again at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on July 8 for a further pre-trial review.

News

New left-wing political party forms first Welsh branch in Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire

Published

42 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Founding conference to be held at Aberystwyth University with Jeremy Corbyn expected to speak

A NEW political party has formed its first Welsh branch covering Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

The Ceredigion Penfro branch of Your Party Cymru held its inaugural meeting on Sunday, June 7, with members attending in person in Aberystwyth and online from across both counties.

The group says it is the first Your Party Cymru branch to be formally constituted in Wales and will now receive party funding to develop locally and begin campaigning.

Your Party Cymru says it aims to address inequality and injustice, with the new branch planning to stand candidates in elections, launch local campaigns, and support existing causes.

The branch said its priorities would include industrial action, housing campaigns, protecting local health services, environmental issues, Palestine solidarity, and opposing the far right.

Organisers say the party will operate as a member-led movement, giving local members a say in how branches are run and offering opportunities to become active in campaigns.

Dinah Mulholland, Your Party Ceredigion Penfro organiser, said: “We are offering a significant alternative to political parties in the Senedd and in Westminster, who have disregarded the needs of ordinary people for far too long.

“Your Party Cymru will be a new kind of political party. We are rooted in communities, trade unions and social movements, and we are building positive and sustainable change from the ground up.”

Maria Donnellan, Your Party Cymru representative for Your Party UK’s collective leadership, said the formation of the branch was a “historic day” for the party and for Welsh politics.

She said: “Ceredigion Penfro communities have always found ways to look after each other when the state has failed to. It is exactly the right place for Your Party Cymru to take its first steps as a member-led party built from communities, not from the top down.”

The Ceredigion Penfro branch will host the Your Party Cymru founding conference at Aberystwyth University on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19.

Jeremy Corbyn and other socialist figures are expected to speak at the event.

Business

Wales unemployment close to UK rate as ministers promise productivity push

Published

1 hour ago

June 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

WALES’ unemployment rate is broadly in line with the UK average, according to the latest labour market figures.

The Welsh Government said figures from the Annual Population Survey showed unemployment among people aged 16 and over in Wales at 4.5%, compared with 4.4% across the UK.

Ministers said Wales’ employment rate was also “relatively close” to its all-time high, but acknowledged that official labour market data should be treated with caution because of continuing concerns over reliability.

The figures come as the newly elected Welsh Government seeks to put productivity at the centre of its economic agenda.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “As a newly elected Government we are committed to driving investment, innovation and higher productivity across Wales.

“We have announced a National Productivity Goal to close the gap with the rest of the UK and help unlock the full potential of the Welsh economy.

“By focusing on productivity, we will deliver more jobs, higher pay, stronger businesses and thriving communities.”

The Government says the new goal will help shape the work of its planned Welsh innovation and development agency, including how it supports businesses, develops skills and invests in the wider economy.

However, ministers also said Wales’ labour market appears to be following similar trends to the UK as a whole.

They pointed to ongoing work by the Office for National Statistics to improve the quality of Labour Force Survey data, saying the figures should be read alongside other labour market indicators to get a clearer picture.

The Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, Adam Price, is seeking a meeting with the ONS to discuss the reliability of labour market data for Wales.