Politics

Welsh Lib Dems promise childcare boost, social care reform in manifesto launch

Published

2 months ago

April 15, 2026

Jane Dodds says party will focus on NHS pressures, child poverty and keeping Wales out of independence debate

JANE DODDS launched the Welsh Liberal Democrats’ 2026 Senedd manifesto on Tuesday (Apr 14), unveiling a platform built around childcare, social care, health reform, economic growth and opposition to Welsh independence.

The manifesto, titled A Stronger Wales in a Stronger UK, argues that Wales is at a political crossroads, with the party seeking to present itself as a practical alternative focused on public services and living standards rather than what it describes as constitutional distraction and political anger.

In her launch speech, Dodds said many people across Wales now feel furious, ignored and increasingly doubtful that meaningful change is even possible. She warned that nationalism grows when hope fades, and argued that political debate must return to fixing everyday problems rather than simply finding new people to blame.

A major centrepiece of the manifesto is childcare. The Welsh Lib Dems say they would offer free, high-quality childcare for children from nine months old, providing 30 hours a week for 48 weeks a year. The party says the move would improve children’s life chances, help parents return to work and make a serious impact on child poverty.

Dodds also used the launch to push her long-standing focus on early years support, pointing to the first thousand days of a child’s life as crucial in shaping future outcomes. The manifesto builds on that message with a wider pledge to give every child what it describes as a fair start.

The party is also proposing a School Leavers’ Guarantee aimed at preventing young people from drifting after leaving education. Under the plan, every school leaver would receive an offer within three months of further or higher education, a paid apprenticeship, a job with recognised training, or tailored support into work.

On universities, the Welsh Lib Dems say they would protect what they describe as the most generous student finance system in the UK. They are also promising continued support for Taith and backing for renewed access to Erasmus-style international opportunities, arguing that Welsh students should be able to study, volunteer and work abroad.

Health and social care form another major strand of the manifesto. The party says it would invest in up to 5,000 new or refurbished nursing-care placements to help reduce delayed hospital discharges and relieve pressure on the NHS. It also promises action to improve access to GPs, dentists and cancer treatment, alongside a broader workforce strategy for health and care staff.

Dodds placed particular emphasis on social care during her speech, drawing on her own experience of caring for parents with dementia and Alzheimer’s. She said the care system had been fragmented and overstretched for years, and argued that its failure now reaches far beyond individual families, contributing to hospital bed shortages, ambulance delays and growing pressure on council budgets.

The manifesto includes a proposal to support the creation of a Royal College of Care Workers, aimed at improving professional recognition, career progression and standards within the sector. It also commits to giving families faster support when relatives are discharged from hospital and to strengthening support for unpaid carers.

In one of its more eye-catching pledges, the party says it would consider raising the Welsh rate of income tax by 1p in the pound for an emergency period if funding reform does not come from Westminster and if the money is needed to protect social care. Dodds said the public should be dealt with honestly about the cost of repairing essential services.

Economically, the Welsh Lib Dems are pitching a Welsh Industrial Strategy designed to build on sectors where Wales already has strengths, including high-value manufacturing, creative industries, financial technology and cyber. The party says this would be paired with procurement changes aimed at ensuring more public money supports Welsh firms, jobs and supply chains.

The manifesto also includes support for small and medium-sized businesses, investment in apprenticeships and technical skills, and a £400 million town centres fund intended to help revive struggling high streets. Business rates relief for retail, leisure and hospitality would also be extended under the plans.

On the cost of living, the party says it wants to make homes warmer and cheaper to run through a ten-year programme of insulation and energy-efficiency upgrades. It is also calling for the UK Government to explore zonal electricity pricing, including the possibility of a separate Welsh zone, so that households and businesses in energy-producing parts of Wales could benefit from lower bills.

The manifesto also contains strong environmental pledges, including action on sewage discharges, protections for rivers and seas, and support for renewable energy such as floating offshore wind, hydro and tidal power. In housing, it promises 30,000 social homes and measures to tackle homelessness and poor-quality housing.

On constitutional matters, the party adopts a firm anti-independence line, saying Welsh Government money should not be used to pursue separation from the rest of the UK. At the same time, it calls for further devolution in areas including rail, policing and justice, as well as a stronger Welsh voice within a federal UK.

Dodds used the closing section of her speech to argue that the election would not simply be about which party came first, but about who holds influence in what is expected to be a fragmented Senedd. She said the Welsh Liberal Democrats intended to use any balance-of-power role to push for practical reforms in health, childcare, education and the economy.

With the Senedd election set for Thursday, May 7, the manifesto launch marks the party’s attempt to present itself as a voice for voters who are frustrated with the state of public services but wary of both Welsh nationalism and the rise of Reform UK.

Community

Two Milford Haven schools set to be built amid cost concerns

Published

1 hour ago

May 31, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

AN OUTLINE business case to Welsh Government for new schools in Milford Haven, which would be “the most expensive capital project ever undertaken by the council” has been backed by senior councillors.

At the Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet meeting of May 27, members were asked to approve the submission of an outline business case for the Milford Haven Schools redevelopment to Welsh Government, and to approve the new updated budget for the scheme, in light of completing the outline business case , and make provision within the capital programme.

It was previously reported at the May meeting of full council that the scheme, for both a new English Medium and a Welsh Medium School, won’t be built before 2030 and 2032 respectively.

At that meeting, Cabinet member for education, Cllr Guy Woodham, who had earlier announced he was stepping down from his Cabinet education role, said he felt a personal disappointment to be stepping down before there was “a spade in the ground”.

A report for Cabinet members, presented by Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, Cllr Rhys Sinnett, said following the Sustainable Communities for Learning Strategic Programme Board considering a report on the draft business case it was recommended a new Welsh Medium 3-11 primary school be built on the existing Milford Haven Community Primary School (junior site) and an English Medium provision combined new primary and secondary school building on the existing secondary school site, with some sharing of services.

The schemes also include a 40-place Flying Start centre, a 36-place secondary learning resource centre and a 24-place primary learning resource centre.

It also includes a leisure centre on site, with Thornton Sports Hall demolished as part of scheme, following a March Cabinet backing to support a new leisure investment programme, the funding for that not forming part of the business plan approved.

The report added: “The estimated cost of the scheme has changed from £141,598,965 to £143,617,659, primarily as a result of a change of Welsh Government requirements, from the Building Bulletin to new Area Guidelines, which has required an increase in the Gross Internal Floor Area (GIFA) of the schools to comply, together with further development of the project towards more accurate costs.”

The scheme would see a funding split of: Welsh Government 67.75 per cent, Pembrokeshire County Council 32.25 per cent, a total contribution from the council of £46,316,467

In the report, Director of Resources Jonathan Haswell the scheme would be “the most expensive capital project ever undertaken by the council”.

Members backed the recommendation, new Leader Cllr Tessa Hodgson reflecting it was the first Cabinet meeting without Cllr Guy Woodham in the education role, having stepped back due to health issues, saying he had “worked so hard for this”.

Members backed the recommendations.

Mike Cavanagh, Head of Culture, Leisure, and School Modernisation stressed the business case was not the last part of the process with a full business case expected by the end of the year, and hopes construction would be complete by 2030 and ’32 respectively.

Politics

The Senedd Commission: What is it and what does it do?

Published

1 day ago

May 30, 2026

Ella Groves, ICNN Senedd Reporter

THE SENEDD Commission is often mentioned when discussing Welsh politics – but what actually is it and what does it do?

The Government of Wales Act 2006 gave the then National Assembly for Wales considerable new legislative powers.

It also created a legally separate Welsh Government and corporate body, which became known as the Senedd Commission, or originally the National Assembly for Wales Commission.

As the corporate entity for the Welsh Parliament, the Senedd Commission has responsibility over the Senedd’s property, staff, and services to support Senedd Members.

The commission is made up of the Llywydd and four other Senedd Members nominated by the main political groups.

Members appointed to the commission act as the “governing board” for the Welsh Parliament with responsibilities such as setting the organisation’s strategic aims and helping implement them.

The chief executive and clerk of the Senedd, a role currently held by Manon Bonner, is responsible for the effectiveness of the Senedd Commission.

In her role as clerk, she is also the principle accounting officer for the commission, meaning she has responsibility for ensuring that taxpayers’ money is spent in accordance with the law.

According to Senedd standing orders – written rules which govern Senedd proceedings – commissioners must be appointed as soon as is reasonably practicable after the election.

Chaired by the Llywydd, the commission consists of four other MSs, who, excluding the Llywydd, should each belong to a different political group.

If there are four or more political groups in the Senedd, the four largest groups must inform the business committee of who they wish from their group to be appointed to the commission.

If there are less than four groups, the business committee will decide the name of any additional members.

Unfortunately there’s no set date. The business committee met for the first time on Thursday May 21, and while the meeting was held in private, the agenda for the first committee included the appointment of Senedd commissioners.

Those appointments will be among the final steps in allowing the Senedd to resume work as usual following the election.

As such, it is likely that the new commissioners will be announced soon.

News

Paul Marr pledges to serve communities across Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire

Published

2 days ago

May 29, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PAUL MARR has pledged to be a strong voice for communities across Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, drawing on decades of frontline experience in public service.

A Prison Service veteran and former NHS manager, Mr Marr led an award-winning Drug Intervention Programme and has worked closely with police, probation, social services and healthcare professionals.

His career has involved supporting offenders, people battling addiction, vulnerable residents and those facing complex mental health challenges.

Mr Marr said: “Throughout my career, I have seen people at their absolute worst, but I have also seen the power of compassion, support and opportunity to change lives.

“I believe this experience gives me a unique understanding of the challenges many people face and how we can work together to improve lives and strengthen our communities.”

Mr Marr said it would be “a privilege and an honour” to represent the people of Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire in the Senedd.

He said his priorities would include tackling anti-social behaviour and crime, working closely with local police, and addressing environmental concerns including pollution in local seas and waterways.

He added: “I have already spoken with residents about concerns over waste on our streets, environmental pollution and community safety.

“These are issues that directly affect people’s quality of life, and I am committed to working with local agencies and organisations to ensure meaningful action is taken.”

Mr Marr, who is also a passionate advocate for veterans and disabled people, said he would press for improved support services and ensure vulnerable groups are not overlooked.

He said: “I have a personal commitment to supporting veterans and people living with disabilities, and I will continue to advocate strongly on their behalf wherever I can.”

Mr Marr said his approach would be to represent all residents, regardless of how they voted.

He added: “Most importantly, I am here to serve the people regardless of how they voted.

“My priority is to listen, help where I can, and work tirelessly to ensure Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire remain safe, strong and supportive places for everyone.”