Community

Older people in Wales struggling with energy costs despite Government support

Published

3 months ago

March 18, 2026

Charity warns £53m package ‘won’t go far enough’ as pensioners face rising bills

OLDER people across Wales are struggling to pay their energy bills despite new Government support, with a significant number already facing financial hardship before recent global tensions threatened further price rises.

New figures highlighted by Age Cymru show that 31% of pensioners reported struggling financially even before conflict escalated in the Middle East, with energy costs cited as the main pressure.

The UK Government this week announced a £53m support package for households reliant on heating oil. While welcoming the move, Age Cymru warned it would not be sufficient to protect vulnerable older people, many of whom are on low or fixed incomes and already finding it difficult to make ends meet.

The charity’s national polling, carried out in January, paints a stark picture of ongoing hardship. Nearly half (45%) of respondents said they were cutting back on heating or electricity use, while 36% said they were worried about falling into energy debt this winter.

Age Cymru said the situation is particularly concerning given the potential impact of geopolitical instability on energy prices later this year. The charity reports it is already hearing from older people anxious about how they will cope next winter.

Around one in ten households in Wales rely on heating oil, leaving them especially exposed to sudden price increases. Unlike those on mains gas, these households are not protected by the energy price cap.

The charity is calling on energy companies and the UK Government to ensure support is targeted at those most at risk. It also warned that rising consumer energy debt—currently at a record £4.5bn and forecast to reach £7bn by the end of the year—shows many households are still living with the impact of previous crises.

Concerns have also been raised for groups not covered by current support measures, including some park home residents and care home residents, who face similar exposure to rising costs.

Victoria Lloyd, Chief Executive of Age Cymru, said: “Even before recent events, many pensioners were already finding life financially challenging. Now, with the prospect of further energy price increases, anxiety is growing among older people about whether they will be able to afford to heat their homes.

“While the Government’s support is welcome, it will not be enough to meet the scale of need. Those relying on heating oil are particularly vulnerable, facing immediate and significant price hikes.

“It is deeply worrying for older people living on fixed incomes to be confronted with fuel costs that have doubled or even tripled overnight. This is not just a financial issue—it is a threat to health and wellbeing.

“We urgently need both immediate support and long-term solutions. No older person should be left in the cold. That means fairer energy pricing, better-insulated homes, and a system that tackles fuel poverty at its root.”

Age Cymru is urging anyone struggling with rising living costs to seek advice. Support is available through its Advice Line on 0300 303 44 98 or via its website. The service operates Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm.

Community

Armed Forces Day exhibition opens at VC Gallery’s new Riverside home

Published

16 minutes ago

June 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A UNIQUE exhibition bringing together military history, art and veterans’ stories will open to the public in Haverfordwest as part of Armed Forces Day celebrations later this month.

The VC Gallery will host a special open day at its new Riverside Gallery on Saturday, June 27, inviting the community to explore an exhibition featuring works from the Imperial War Museum alongside historic wartime artefacts, trench art and pieces connected to celebrated Welsh artist Augustus John.

The event will also showcase contemporary artwork created by Armed Forces veterans who served in conflicts including Korea, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Organisers say the exhibition highlights not only military history and remembrance, but also the role creativity can play in supporting mental health, wellbeing and recovery.

Throughout the day, visitors will be able to meet members of the VC Gallery team and learn more about an ambitious new project aimed at supporting veterans, families and the wider community.

The exhibition combines nationally significant historical works with personal stories of service and resilience, offering a rare opportunity to view military history through the eyes of those who experienced it.

Families are particularly welcome, with guided family art tours available by advance booking.

The event begins at 10:00am and takes place at the VC Riverside Gallery in Haverfordwest.

Anyone wishing to reserve a place on a guided family tour should email [email protected].

The VC Gallery said it is looking forward to welcoming visitors as it commemorates Armed Forces Day while celebrating the power of art, heritage and community to bring people together.

Community

Government hails rural 4G boost as Tenby signal concerns continue

Published

18 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MINISTERS have hailed the rollout of dozens of 4G mast upgrades across rural Wales, but recent concerns in Tenby show mobile coverage remains a live issue in Pembrokeshire.

The UK Government says a further 11 mast upgrades have been switched on in Wales this year through the Shared Rural Network, bringing the Welsh total to 55.

The scheme is aimed at improving mobile coverage in hard-to-reach rural areas, helping residents, businesses and visitors stay connected and access help more quickly in an emergency.

Areas benefiting from the latest upgrades include Nant Gwynant in Snowdonia, Capel y Ffin near Abergavenny, Manafon near Welshpool, and several locations across Powys.

Telecoms Minister Liz Lloyd said the programme was helping bring “every part of the UK into the digital age”, while Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said reliable coverage was vital for rural communities and economic growth.

However, the announcement comes amid continuing concern about mobile phone coverage in Tenby, where residents and businesses have raised concerns about poor signal and mast-related issues.

Although the latest UK Government upgrades focus mainly on remote rural areas, the problems reported in Tenby highlight that connectivity remains a pressing issue in Pembrokeshire, particularly in coastal communities which see huge seasonal increases in visitor numbers.

Reliable mobile coverage is increasingly seen as essential for tourism businesses, delivery drivers, emergency services, residents and visitors who rely on phones for payments, bookings, navigation and safety.

The Shared Rural Network is a partnership between the UK Government and mobile network operators. Across Great Britain, more than 140 publicly funded 4G masts have now been activated.

The programme is due to continue until January 2027.

Community

Police officer hailed hero after midnight sea rescue in Milford Haven

Published

20 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PC swam 100 metres offshore to save distressed woman heard calling for help in darkness

A DYFED-POWYS POLICE officer has been praised for his bravery after entering the sea at midnight to rescue a distressed woman heard calling for help off the coast of Milford Haven.

PC Spencer Rourke swam around 100 metres offshore in darkness after locating the woman in the water off Milford beach during the early hours of Saturday, May 24, 2025.

Police were first alerted at 12:31am after a distressed woman on Hamilton Terrace called emergency services and said she intended to enter the sea. Described as highly emotional and panicked, her call prompted an immediate police response.

Officers searched the area but were initially unable to find her. A further update from the control room suggested she had moved towards Foam beach, prompting officers to widen their search.

PC Rourke, alongside PS Anthony, parked at the rear of Foam and began checking the area on foot. In the stillness of the early morning, the officers heard a faint sound coming from the slipway.

As they moved closer, they heard a woman shouting from out at sea.

Using torchlight, the officers eventually spotted her around 100 metres from shore, clearly in distress.

Without hesitation, PC Rourke removed his police kit, grabbed a lifesaving float and entered the water.

As he swam towards her, the woman attempted to move further away, but he caught up with her and managed to take hold. Despite difficult conditions and the woman’s distress, he remained with her and guided her safely back towards shore.

Fellow officers waiting at the water’s edge helped bring both to safety.

The woman survived thanks to what colleagues described as PC Rourke’s “swift, selfless and decisive actions.”

Above and beyond

PS Anthony later praised his colleague, saying there was little doubt that PC Rourke had saved the woman’s life.

He described the officer’s actions as “far above and beyond what would be expected” and praised his judgement, courage and willingness to place himself at considerable personal risk to protect a vulnerable member of the public.

Chief Constable Ifan Charles said: “I am immensely proud of PC Rourke, whose actions on 24 May 2025 exemplify the very best of policing.

“Without hesitation he entered the sea to rescue a woman in distress, saving her life. His courage, selflessness and decisive action under extreme circumstances are truly commendable and bring great credit to the service.”

Dyfed-Powys Police Federation Branch Chair Delme Rees also praised the officer, noting the dangers of the water in Milford Haven.

He said: “PC Rourke absolutely deserves the recognition and admiration for his life-saving actions on 24 May 2025.

“The waters in that area are extremely dangerous as it’s a tidal estuary and a busy shipping lane. You have oil tankers moving through the water and the Pembroke Dock to Rosslare ferry route nearby.

“PC Rourke was the right officer at the right time because he had the physical ability to do what was needed, but it still took a bold and selfless decision to commit to entering the water that night.”

Pic caption:

Hero officer: PC Spencer Rourke swam into the sea at Milford Haven to rescue a distressed woman in the early hours of May 24 (Pic: Police Mutual).