A CALL for potentially life-saving EpiPens to become a part of school equipment in Pembrokeshire will be considered by senior councillors in 2026.

In a notice of motion heard at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Independent Group leader Cllr Huw Murphy asked the council adopt a policy for Epi-pens to become part of school first aid equipment.

Emergency adrenaline auto-injectors, commonly known as EpiPens, are commonly used in the emergency treatment of Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.

Cllr Murphy, in his notice of motion, asked that “Pembrokeshire County Council work with all schools to develop a policy where all schools hold epi-pens as part of their first aid equipment”.

It added: “PCC can negotiate on behalf of our schools with the suppliers of such equipment to achieve best value through bulk purchasing. The immediate availability of epi-pens in an emergency involving a pupil on school premises has the potential reduce the risk of a tragic outcome.

“As some background in relation to this NoM is that the April 2025 meeting of the Schools O&S Committee debated the subject of epi-pens.

“The current policy from Welsh Government states that it’s a matter for individual School Governing bodies to decide whether to stock epi-pens for use in an emergency should a pupil suffer anaphylactic shock, and should they wish to purchase epi-pens then each school does this on an individual basis.

“The Schools O&S Committee in April 2025 resolved to write to Welsh Government (WG) to highlight the epi-pens issue, which the Chair of the Schools O&S did. Since April 2025 the Schools O&S Committee have received no update from WG and a period of nearly eight months has elapsed.

“The safety and well-being of pupils is a matter of priority and in view of the lack of response (I would argue lamentably so) from WG I feel PCC should proceed to develop our own policy to ensure that every LA school in Pembrokeshire hold epi-pens for use in an emergency, hence this NoM.”

Members agreed Cllr Murphy’s notice be sent to the council’s Cabinet, whose next meeting takes place in 2026, for further consideration.

PRIMARY schools across Wales are set to benefit from an estimated £8 million investment over the next two years after the Welsh Government confirmed an increase in the amount spent on each free school meal.

The funding boost will see the unit rate for Universal Primary Free School Meals rise from £3.20 to £3.40 per meal, an increase of 20p.

Since the scheme was launched in 2022, more than 57 million free meals have been served to primary school pupils across Wales.

The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle, said the increase means Wales now provides the highest per-meal funding rate for primary school meals anywhere in the UK, supporting schools and local authority catering teams to continue delivering nutritious food.

Wales also remains the only UK nation to offer Universal Primary Free School Meals to all primary school learners.

The scheme forms part of the Welsh Government’s wider efforts to support families with the cost of living and tackle child poverty. Parents are also being encouraged to check whether they are eligible for further assistance through the “Get help with school costs” service, including the School Essentials Grant, which helps with uniforms and classroom items. Schools also receive additional support through the Pupil Development Grant for eligible learners.

Lynne Neagle said:
“Universal Primary Free School Meals, alongside our targeted free meal offer in secondary schools, means that two-thirds of learners in Wales can access a free school meal at lunchtime every day.

“We recognise that costs are rising, and it is vital that local authorities are properly supported to deliver high-quality meals.

“Ending child poverty remains an absolute priority for the Welsh Government, and our commitment to Universal Primary Free School Meals shows how serious we are about giving every child the best possible start in life.”

NEARLY four in ten school support and early years workers are worried about having enough money to feed their families this Christmas, according to a new nationwide survey.

The poll of more than 4,600 staff working in schools and early years settings, carried out in December 2025, also found that more than half are concerned they will not be able to afford Christmas presents for their families.

The findings highlight the financial pressures faced by workers who play a vital role in caring for and educating children, but who are among the lowest-paid in the education sector.

The average teaching assistant earns just over £17,500 a year, while those working in early years settings are paid around £19,000.

Despite their own financial struggles, almost three-quarters of respondents said they felt obliged to bring items in for the children they look after. These included treats, sweets and cakes, Christmas presents and festive clothing, with some staff buying raincoats and body warmers from charity shops for children arriving at school without adequate outdoor clothing.

One respondent said: “I have breakfast items in my drawer all the time as many children don’t eat before coming to school.” Another told how their money was “stretched further” after buying food and clothing for pupils whose families could not afford the basics.

The survey also revealed widespread frustration over a lack of flexibility around time off during term time. More than half of respondents with primary-aged children said they had been unable to take time off to watch their own child’s nativity performance for at least three years. Just six per cent said they had been able to take a day’s leave to do Christmas shopping during the working week.

Some respondents described being penalised for personal circumstances, with one worker saying they had an hour’s pay deducted for attending a funeral.

Stacey Booth, GMB national officer, said the findings should “horrify” the public.

“It’s fair to say most people will be shocked that the people we rely on to look after and educate our children are so badly paid that they’re worried about feeding their own families at Christmas,” she said.

“It’s a tragic indictment of what we value as a society, and how for generations the work done largely by women has been systematically undervalued.

“From chronically low pay and term-time-only wages, to daily abuse, violence and the inability to take time off outside school holidays, school support staff face a relentless list of workplace problems.”

She added that the reintroduction of the School Support Staff Negotiating Body, promised by a future Labour government in 2026, would be “absolutely vital” and must be delivered in full.