News

Eluned Morgan: Wales ‘damn right’ to demand more rail cash from UK Government

Published

1 month ago

January 14, 2026

FIRST MINISTER PUSHED ON “PALTRY” FUNDING AND HS2 FALL-OUT IN SENEDD EXCHANGE

WALES’ First Minister Eluned Morgan has insisted it is “damn right” Wales should press the UK Government for more rail funding, as she faced criticism in the Senedd over what Plaid Cymru described as a “paltry” settlement.

During First Minister’s Questions on Tuesday (Jan 13), Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth challenged Labour’s record on rail and accused the Welsh Government of being too deferential to Westminster, saying Scotland had been able to secure more capital spending from the UK Government.

***First Minister Eluned Morgan: Wants more rail funding for Wales***

He told the Senedd it had been six months since the First Minister had said she was “at the table and getting things done” on fair funding, claiming the evidence suggested otherwise. He also raised concerns about the UK Government seeking to influence how some funding is spent in Wales, and asked what she was confident she could persuade Prime Minister Keir Starmer to deliver to Wales between now and May.

Replying, the First Minister said: “Do I want more rail funding from the UK Government? Damn right I do… Have I been silent about that? No, I have not.”

She said Wales had received “£435m additional money” compared with what it received under the Conservatives, but accepted it was not enough, adding that there would be “a pipeline” of further investment in future.

The exchange comes against the backdrop of longstanding arguments over rail investment in Wales—particularly around HS2, which has been treated for funding purposes as an “England and Wales” project despite no HS2 track being built in Wales.

The Welsh Government has previously estimated Wales has missed out on £431m in rail funding consequentials linked to HS2 between 2016-17 and 2025-26. Other estimates have suggested the overall shortfall could be substantially higher over a longer period.

A separate UK Government announcement last year set out £445m for rail improvements in Wales, though questions have remained about exactly where and when the money would be spent.

In December, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said £78m of that pot would go towards Cardiff Central, with further detail expected in the new year following discussions through the Wales Rail Board.

For west Wales, the debate matters because rail investment decisions affect connectivity to Swansea, Cardiff and beyond—links relied on by commuters, students, hospital visitors and businesses across Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

Crime

Police appeal after man injured in St Davids incident

Published

5 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for witnesses following an incident in St Davids which left one man injured.

The incident happened in Nun Street at around 11:10am on Tuesday, December 30. The injured man was taken to hospital for treatment.

Officers confirmed that a man has been arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the incident.

Police are now asking anyone with information, dash cam footage, or CCTV that could assist the investigation to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online at:
https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/

Alternatively, email [email protected], send a direct message via social media, or call 101 quoting reference DP20251230094.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crime

Sexual assault allegation to be tried

Published

5 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Tamsin Mathias

Accused granted conditional bail

A SEXUAL assault allegation has been listed for trial following a hearing before magistrates.

David Fletcher, 45, of Chestnut Way, Mount Estate, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, appeared before magistrates in Llanelli on Thursday (Feb 12) charged with sexual assault, contrary to section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

The charge alleges that on March 16, 2025, at Johnston, Pembrokeshire, he intentionally touched a woman aged 16 or over and that the touching was sexual when she did not consent and he did not reasonably believe that she was consenting.

The matter was adjourned for trial and Fletcher was remanded on conditional bail.

The trial is listed for March 9, 2026 at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. Bail conditions prohibit him from entering a specified premises in Johnston, from contacting directly or indirectly the complainant or any prosecution witnesses, and from posting any information relating to the investigation on social media. The conditions were imposed to prevent further offending and to prevent interference with witnesses or obstruction of justice.

Crime

Drink drive allegation denied

Published

7 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Tamsin Mathias

Trial date fixed by magistrates

A MOTORIST has denied a drink-driving allegation when the case came before magistrates.

Michael Miles, 39, of Milford Road, Johnston, Haverfordwest, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court charged with driving a motor vehicle when the alcohol level was above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that on January 24, 2026, it is alleged that Miles drove a Ford Transit on the A477 at Jordanston after consuming so much alcohol, that the proportion in his breath was 52 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35.

Miles entered a not guilty plea on February 10, 2026.

The matter was adjourned for trial on May 21 at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court. He was remanded on unconditional bail.