News

MPs launch inquiry into child poverty in Wales

Published

3 months ago

March 16, 2026

Committee to examine barriers as figures show nearly one in three Welsh children living in poverty

A NEW parliamentary inquiry will examine the scale and causes of child poverty in Wales, with MPs seeking evidence on how governments in Cardiff and Westminster can better work together to tackle the problem.

The House of Commons Welsh Affairs Committee announced the inquiry on Monday (Mar 16), following the publication of the UK Government’s Child Poverty Strategy in December 2025.

MPs say the investigation will explore whether the strategy can deliver meaningful change in Wales, where poverty levels remain among the highest in the UK.

According to the Department for Work and Pensions, around 31% of children in Wales live in relative income poverty after housing costs.

The figure is significantly higher for certain groups, including larger families, lone-parent households, and families where at least one adult or child has a disability.

The inquiry will focus on the barriers that could prevent Wales from achieving the ambitions set out in the UK Government’s strategy, and how both the UK and Welsh governments can coordinate their efforts more effectively.

While many policies affecting child poverty—such as education, housing and healthcare—are devolved to the Welsh Government, the social security system, including Universal Credit, remains largely under the control of Westminster.

Committee members will also examine whether better data collection and sharing could improve understanding of poverty levels and help design more effective policy responses.

Ruth Jones MP, Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee, said the inquiry would explore whether current plans were sufficient to tackle the issue.

She said: “The announcement of the UK Government’s Child Poverty Strategy was a positive step towards tackling the root causes of child poverty.

“But given the unique history and circumstances of poverty in Wales, the key question is whether the strategy will be able to deliver.

“Poverty in childhood impacts the health and wellbeing of a child throughout their life. With 31% of children in Wales living in relative income poverty, it is vital that the UK Government gets this right.

“That is why our inquiry will investigate not only how effectively the UK and Welsh governments work together, but also what the major barriers are to ending child poverty in Wales.”

The committee is inviting written evidence from organisations, experts and members of the public.

Among the issues MPs want to explore are:

the main barriers preventing progress in reducing child poverty in Wales
how effectively the UK and Welsh governments collaborate on the issue
whether devolved and reserved agencies coordinate their work effectively
whether children’s voices in Wales are sufficiently heard by policymakers
how data collection could be improved to better understand poverty levels

Submissions to the inquiry must be received by 5:00pm on Monday, May 4, 2026.

The Welsh Affairs Committee is a cross-party House of Commons select committee responsible for scrutinising the work of the Wales Office and examining UK Government policies that affect Wales.

News

Tenby lifeboat tows yacht to safety after skipper falls ill near Caldey

Published

17 minutes ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A YACHT was towed back to Tenby after its skipper became unwell off Caldey Island.

Tenby’s all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch at 1:40pm on Monday (Jun 15), after the coastguard received a call from the occupants of a yacht reporting that the skipper had become ill around one mile south of Caldey Island.

The volunteer crew quickly made their way to the vessel, which had three people and a dog on board.

Once alongside, the lifeboat crew discovered that the skipper was suffering badly from seasickness and that the other two people on board were unable to sail the yacht themselves.

After a full assessment by the coxswain, it was decided that the safest course of action was to tow the yacht back to Tenby. The vessel was drifting with the tide towards Caldey Island and was also considered a potential navigational hazard to other boats.

Two lifeboat crew members were placed aboard the yacht to help set up the tow and to monitor the unwell skipper during the journey back.

After a tow of around an hour, the yacht was placed on the lifeboat mooring in the calmer waters of North Bay.

The lifeboat then returned to station, arriving back at 3:15pm.

Entertainment

Waverley marks 79th anniversary with Pembrokeshire sailings

Published

36 minutes ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WORLD’S last seagoing paddle steamer will return to Pembrokeshire this week as Waverley marks the 79th anniversary of her maiden voyage.

The historic vessel will sail from Milford Haven and Tenby on Tuesday (Jun 16), with trips including a daytime cruise around Skokholm, Skomer, St Brides Bay and Ramsey Island from 11:30am to 4:30pm.

There will also be an evening sailing from Milford Haven at 5:00pm, travelling to St Govan’s Head, Caldey Island and along the Pembrokeshire coast, returning at 9:50pm.

Passengers can also join Waverley at Tenby, with sailings to Milford Haven and an evening cruise around Caldey Island and the coast.

On Wednesday (Jun 17), Waverley will make her only Fishguard visit of 2026, with an evening cruise to St David’s Head, passing Strumble Head Lighthouse, from 6:15pm to 9:15pm.

Tickets are available through Waverley Excursions.

Crime

Mid Wales peace activist arrested outside court after Palestine Action ruling

Published

2 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MID WALES peace activist Angie Zelter was arrested outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London after holding a placard in support of Palestine Action.

The 75-year-old campaigner, from Knucklas, Powys, was detained at around 12:20pm on the steps of the court, according to Radnor Palestine Links.

The group said Ms Zelter was arrested under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 after holding a sign which read: “Saving lives is not terrorism. I support Palestine Action.”

She was taken to Charing Cross Police Station and released around two hours later, the group said.

The arrest came as the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the UK Government over its decision to proscribe Palestine Action under terrorism legislation.

The ruling overturned an earlier High Court decision which had found the ban unlawful. The Court of Appeal held that the Government’s decision was lawful and proportionate.

Palestine Action was banned after the Home Secretary moved to proscribe the group under the Terrorism Act 2000. Supporting or inviting support for a proscribed organisation can be a criminal offence.

Radnor Palestine Links said the protest formed part of an ongoing campaign against the use of counter-terrorism laws against peaceful demonstrators.

Ms Zelter, a long-standing peace and human rights campaigner, has been arrested more than 100 times worldwide during decades of non-violent direct action. She is also known as a founder of Trident Ploughshares.

Speaking after her arrest, Ms Zelter said: “I think it’s a terrible indictment of the criminal justice system that you are charging me with terrorism for holding a peaceful sign.

“We have to uphold the most important international laws. Peaceful, disruptive protest is absolutely essential to protect democracy.”

The Metropolitan Police has been asked to confirm the circumstances of the arrest, whether Ms Zelter was formally charged, and the conditions of her release.

Photo caption: Court protest: Angie Zelter outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London holding a sign in support of Palestine Action (Pic: Radnor Palestine Links).