Politics
Senedd politicians’ pay set to be £12k higher than last election
SENEDD Members will secure pay rises ranging from £12,000 to £25,000 in the next term starting in May, compared with salaries paid after the previous election in 2021.
The Senedd’s independent remuneration board has confirmed the base salary for politicians will be £79,817 after the 2026 election, up from £67,694 at the start of term. Members’ pay was frozen in 2020/21 and rises have since been linked to an index of average earnings.
Politicians who hold additional offices will see even larger leaps. The First Minister was paid £147,983 five years ago but the salary will be £173,600 in 2026 – more than £25,000 higher.
Cabinet ministers will earn £124,713, an increase of £19,000 on 2021, while deputy ministers’ pay will rise by more than £16,000 to £106,008.
Pay for the speaker or Llywydd will go from £110,987 to £130,949 between the start of the sixth and seventh Senedd terms. Meanwhile, the deputy speaker’s wages will grow from £89,846 to £106,008 and Senedd commissioners will earn £96,029 – up from £81,390.
Committee chairs will also earn £96,029 following a rise in excess of £14,000. Opposition group leaders are set to receive at least £96,029 too, up from £81,390. This figure rises by £1,248 for every extra party member, up to a maximum salary of £124,713.
Even with the increases, the new base salary of £79,817 remains significantly lower than in Westminster where MPs currently earn £93,904.
But Senedd politicians’ current pay of £76,380 outstrips that of counterparts in Scotland (£74,507) and Northern Ireland (£53,000). Scotland, Northern Ireland and Westminster are yet to publish comparable details of pay for 2026/27.
With the Senedd expanding from 60 to 96 members in May, the remuneration board confirmed projected costs of the additional politicians will exceed £40m over three years.
The total cost of the 36 extra members – including salaries, support staff and office costs – is forecast at £12.7m in 2026/27, rising to £14.3m by 2028/29.
Consequently, the total annual cost for all 96 members will reach £38.3m by 2028/29 compared with the current financial year’s £20.8m bill for 60 politicians.
Nearly two-thirds of the overall increase in pay between 2021 and 2026 has come in a little over a year after the remuneration board scrapped a 3% cap on rises for politicians.
Senedd Members received a 6% increase in April 2025 and will receive a further 4.5% in May 2026. This combined rise outstrips projected inflation of about 6% for the period.
The remuneration board spent five years and £115,000 on external expertise for a staff pay and grading review. A wider review of the “determination”, which sets politicians’ pay as well as budgets for travel and accommodation, was done by the board itself.
The board argues the increases reflect the growing responsibilities of Senedd Members, who now hold significant tax and law-making powers compared with previous terms. It has also stressed that fair remuneration is vital to attract a diverse range of candidates.
On December 15, the board opened a consultation on parts of the determination. However, key decisions on salaries will not be revisited and politicians do not get a vote on their pay.
Elizabeth Haywood, who chairs the remuneration board, said a simplified draft determination for next term reflects a commitment to clarity, fairness and transparency.
“We have gathered extensive evidence and taken on board a range of views and already conducted two public consultations during this process,” said Dr Haywood.
“Our aim is to ensure that members and their staff are equipped to meet the challenges of the seventh Senedd – with more members, new constituency arrangements and evolving ways of working.
“As the Senedd changes, our priority remains to provide appropriate support whilst providing value for money.”
Business
Rosemarket Dawn Till Dusk golf club 18-hole plans lodged
A CALL to extend a long-established Pembrokeshire golf club, bringing it up to a full 18 holes, has been submitted to county planners.
In the application, Mr and Mrs Young, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, seek a change of use of land adjoining the Dawn Till Dusk Golf Club, Furze Hill Farm, Bastleford Road, Rosemarket, to form an extension to the existing golf course, along with landscaping and associated works.
A supporting statement through the agent says: “The application seeks full planning permission for the enlargement of the existing golf course to provide an additional six holes, to provide a total of 18 holes.
“The proposal would involve minor landscaping works to the fields and boundaries and the creation of a small number of ponds and bunkers. The extension would be located on land to the west of Furze Hill Farm and on the opposite side of the road to the existing golf course and clubhouse.
“An altered access to the land parcel is proposed as part of this application, which would provide an improved route for users crossing the public highway to avoid conflict with movements at the main entrance.
“The application site exceeds 1ha and therefore the proposal is considered major development necessitating a Pre-Application Consultation prior to formally submitting the planning application to the Local Planning Authority.”
It adds: “The existing golf course has operated in excess of 30 years and is popular with both visitors and locals. Club membership currently stands at approximately 350 and there is demand for enhancing the provisions of the course.
“The applicants’ sons have recently increased their involvement in the enterprise and in recent years wet winter months have necessitated the closure of the course, or parts of it, due to the ground becoming waterlogged, primarily due to the flat nature of the existing course.
“The extension would provide variation to the terrain, providing, dryer conditions, as well as the ability to alternate between the existing and proposed to maintain use, enhancing the viability of the enterprise.”
The application will be considered by Pembrokeshire County Council planners at a later date.
Business
Plans to rebuild arson hit building at farm with one of largest sheep flocks in Wales
A CALL to rebuild a fire-damaged Pembrokeshire farm building, as a family home to help manage one of the largest sheep flocks in Wales, has been submitted to the national park.
In the application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, D B Davies and Sons through agent Harries Planning Design Management, with a supporting statement by Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd, seek permission to renovate an existing fire-damaged dwelling, together with the conversion and extension of outbuildings to form an agricultural worker’s dwelling at Mynydd Du, Rosebush.
The supporting statement through Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd says Mynydd Du is part of a wider holding which includes Eisteddfa Fawr and land around the village of Brynberian, the farms approximately six km apart, with land under control of the applicant amounting to some 1,500 acres, with a further 3,000 acres of Preseli mountain common land also used; the land accommodating a 5,000-ewe flock with 10 suckler cows and followers.
It says DB Davies & Sons Unlimited, has five partners: the two Davies brothers, Berian and Ken; their wives; and Berian’s son, Dyfed.
Berian and Ken are in their late 70s, with most of the heavy work on the farm is undertaken by Dyfed.
Dyfed and his wife Megan are first language Welsh speakers, living some 10 km away in Nevern, while Berian and Ken, and their wives, live at Eisteddfa Fawr, Brynberian.
The dwelling at Mynydd Du, where most sheep are now wintered, is structurally sound and repairable but has been unoccupied since 1990, and was subject to arson circa 2013, the statement says.
It says Dyfed works full-time on the farm, alone with increasing frequency as the older business members are above retirement age, working “long hours out of necessity to undertake all the work associated with one of the largest flocks of sheep in Wales”.
“His working hours are extended further due to the fact that he lives remote (6kms) from the main block of land at Tyllosg, where Mynydd Du is situated in the centre of the farm. Travelling back and forth several times each day during lambing and other times during poor weather, to check on flock welfare is an arduous task and can be dangerous, particularly if driving when tired during inclement conditions.”
The statement adds: “The application seeks permission to repair the fire damaged dwelling at Mynydd Du and bring it back to serve a useful purpose to enable Dyfed to closely monitor the ewes, not only at lambing, but throughout the year when the flock is grazing on the adjacent common land.
“It will also enable Dyfed to be with his partner and young child on a more regular basis than simply at the end of a long day when he is away from their current home, tending the sheep at Mynydd Du.”
The application will be considered by park planners at a later date.
News
Council unveils plans for new state-of-the-art secondary school in Milford Haven
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has revealed plans for a new state-of-the-art school in Milford Haven, promising modern, inspiring learning spaces for children and young people across the community.
A newly released video accompanying the announcement features the First Minister, the local authority’s Deputy Leader, the Cabinet Member for Education and the headteacher, outlining what the development will deliver. The plans include specialist teaching areas, improved accessibility, and high-quality outdoor learning and play spaces.
The project places a strong emphasis on sustainability, incorporating energy-efficient features and modern building standards designed to reduce environmental impact while delivering long-term value.
The scheme forms part of a Strategic Outline Case approval. Any final funding commitment will depend on the project successfully progressing through the full business case process.
Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “This project represents a major investment in our children’s future. The new school will offer a safe, modern and inclusive environment where pupils can thrive, and we are delighted to share this vision with the community as we move towards the next stage of this exciting process.”
First Minister Eluned Morgan added: “This is fantastic news for pupils, parents, teachers and the whole community. Modern learning environments can make a real difference to pupils and staff alike. The Welsh Government has shown its commitment to new schools in Pembrokeshire as part of our wider programme of improving schools and colleges across Wales.”
Speaking on behalf of staff, pupils and governors, Deputy Headteacher Daryl John said the school community was excited by the plans.
He said: “Milford Haven School recently welcomed a visit from the First Minister, along with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, to mark initial progress on proposals for a new, aspirational school building.
“The development will provide inspirational learning and teaching spaces, offering high-quality, ambitious and equitable opportunities for all pupils. It aims to support our young people to thrive, develop their talents and grow into confident, successful individuals, supported by dedicated staff and the wider school community.”
Stephen Thomas, Headteacher at Milford Haven Primary School, said the project had been long awaited.
He said: “This new school building has been long awaited, and I know how much it will mean to our children, staff and the community as a whole in Milford Haven.
“For many years, our community has hoped for facilities that truly reflect the potential, pride and ambition of our children, and now that vision is becoming a reality.
“This is more than just a new building. It is a statement of belief in our young people and in the future of Milford Haven. It will provide modern, high-quality learning environments, improved spaces for wellbeing and inclusion, and facilities that will open up wider opportunities for our pupils and families.
“As Headteacher, I feel incredibly proud and grateful to see this investment in our community. Our children deserve the very best, and this new school will help us continue raising aspirations, strengthening community links and ensuring every child can thrive.”
The council will now begin a period of consultation and engagement with pupils, staff, parents and local residents to ensure the new school reflects the needs and ambitions of the whole community.
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