News

Welsh Labour pledges income tax freeze ahead of Senedd election

Published

3 months ago

March 29, 2026

WELSH Labour leader Eluned Morgan has pledged to freeze Welsh rates of income tax if her party forms the next government, as Labour prepares to launch its Senedd election manifesto on Monday (Mar 30).

Speaking in Swansea, Morgan is expected to position the policy as part of a wider effort to ease pressure on households during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

In remarks released ahead of the launch, she said a future Welsh Labour government “will not raise income tax” during the next Senedd term.

She added: “Fairness starts with understanding the pressure families face, but fairness also means action.

“This manifesto delivers real help with the cost of living.”

Key pledges outlined

Alongside the proposed tax freeze, Welsh Labour says its manifesto will include a number of headline commitments.

These include a £2 cap on single bus fares across Wales, maintaining £1 fares for young people, and continuing free travel for over-60s.

The party has also pledged to create 20,000 new childcare places, expanding provision to include children from nine months old.

Other priorities outlined ahead of the launch include investment in the NHS, with plans for new hospital developments and expanded mental health support, as well as measures aimed at tackling environmental issues such as river pollution and fly-tipping.

Labour also says it will focus on job creation through green energy projects and introduce a “lifelong retraining guarantee”.

Context and scrutiny

The Welsh Government has the power to vary income tax rates in Wales, but changes have not been made since partial control over income tax was devolved in 2019.

A freeze would maintain current rates rather than reduce the tax burden, meaning the policy is unlikely to increase take-home pay directly but could prevent future rises.

Opposition parties are expected to challenge Labour’s plans during the campaign, particularly around funding commitments and delivery of large-scale pledges such as NHS investment and childcare expansion.

Welsh Labour also used its pre-launch briefing to criticise Plaid Cymru, claiming its rivals are focused on constitutional issues rather than economic priorities. Plaid Cymru has yet to formally respond to the manifesto announcement.

Election backdrop

The Senedd election is due to take place on Thursday (May 7), with the cost of living, NHS performance, and economic growth expected to dominate the campaign.

Crime

Scaffolder banned after cannabis smell reported from van

Published

11 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A SCAFFOLDER has been banned from driving for 14 months after an off-duty police officer smelt cannabis coming from his Volkswagen Transporter as it travelled through Slebech.

The report was made to police at around 10.30am on February 15. When officers located the vehicle, they discovered it was being driven by 46-year-old Christopher Bennett.

Further blood tests showed Bennett had 16.8 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2.

This week Bennett, of Queensdown Gardens, Brislington, Bristol, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates. He was represented in court by Alaw Harries.

“The defendant is remorseful for his actions and recognises the seriousness of the offence,” Ms Harries told the Bench.

“He suffers significant pain following operations to his shoulders and has been prescribed codeine. But this causes drowsiness, so he began self-medicating using cannabis.

“On the day of the offence, he was in worse pain than usual, so he used cannabis earlier than he normally does.”

Ms Harries said the conviction would have serious financial consequences for Bennett, who works as a self-employed scaffolder.

“His driving licence is fundamental to his livelihood,” she said.

“The financial consequences are going to be significant to him, as well as to those who are dependent on him.”

Magistrates fined Bennett £600 and ordered him to pay a £240 surcharge and £85 costs.

He was disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Crime

Estate agent banned after drug-drive crash in Milford Haven

Published

11 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Alison Walker had nearly five times the legal benzoylecgonine limit in her system

A PEMBROKESHIRE estate agent has been banned from the road after admitting driving through Milford Haven with nearly five times the legal limit of a cocaine metabolite in her system.

Alison Walker, 59, was arrested on February 2 after her white MG was involved in a two-car collision on Great North Road, Milford Haven.

“Fortunately there were no injuries, just damage to the vehicles,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Walker was arrested and asked to provide blood samples. These showed she had 240mcg of benzoylecgonine in her system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

Walker, of Woodland Crescent, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drug-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd.

He told the bench that prior to the offence, Walker had been employed as an estate agent.

“She has a good relationship with her boss, and as soon as this conviction is dealt with and her sentence has been served, he will be happy for her to return to her employment,” he said.

After considering a comprehensive probation report, magistrates disqualified Walker from driving for 20 months.

She was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. Walker must also carry out a 12-month community order, during which she must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Crime

Pembroke Dock motorist banned after driving with cocaine in system

Published

12 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has been banned from the roads after being caught driving with more than seven times the legal cocaine limit in her system.

Naomi Grant, 47, was stopped by police on the night of February 6 as she drove her Vauxhall Astra along the A477 near Pembroke Dock.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Grant, of Cheriton Road, Pennar, Pembroke Dock, was taken for further tests.

Blood analysis showed she had 74mcg of cocaine in her system. The legal limit is 10mcg. She also had 1,200mcg of benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine, where the legal limit is 50mcg.

This week Grant, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug-driving when she appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates.

She was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who told the court that his client is currently prescribed a considerable amount of medication for a number of medical issues.

“She also has her own personal assistant as a result of her medical needs,” he said.

“She has done everything that has been asked of her in relation to this offence and has engaged with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service to help her move forward.”

Magistrates disqualified Grant from driving for 12 months and fined her £120.

She must also pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.