Politics

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

Published

3 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.

Business

Solar panels call at Victorian building tearoom approved

Published

4 hours ago

July 18, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL for works at a Pembrokeshire seaside tearoom, once the site of a Victorian brickworks machinery shed, has been given the go-ahead by national park planners.

In an application recommended for approval at the July meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee, Caroline Jones sought permission to install solar panels to roof over an outside seating area at The Shed Tea Room, Porthgain.

The application, and a related listed building consent call, was for committee consideration as The Shed Tea Room forms part of Ty Mawr, a Grade-II-listed large stone-built former machinery shed owned by the national park itself.

An officer report for members stated: “The Shed Tea Room is a lean-to structure at the west end of Ty-mawr, a Grade-II-listed large stone-built former machinery shed, built c. 1890 to serve Porthgain brickworks. The lean-to itself is built of a mixture of stone and brick, retaining the stump of the brickworks chimney.

“The Shed has been used for retail purposes since 1999, and as a tearoom and restaurant from 2001, after which roof-lights were inserted. The north-western section of the lean-to was incorporated after 2003, when the present timber windows were inserted.

“After 2007, a lean-to scullery was added at the north end, alongside the chimney stump, with a small, fenced compound beyond. The south-western lean-to was added in 2024. The proposal comprises the addition of solar PV panels to the south-western lean-to. The panels – twelve in total – are all-black and frameless. The panels are configurated in a single block covering the majority of the roof, surface mounted on corrugated steel sheeting.

“The scheme is in keeping with the character of the listed building, and its setting in terms of design and form. As such, the application can be supported subject to conditions.”

The recommendation of approval was moved by Cllr Di Clements, and unanimously backed by members; the related listed building consent also moved by Cllr Clements, and again unanimously backed.

Business

Seasonal campsite at former scrapyard approved by National Park planners

Published

4 hours ago

July 18, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL for a formal seasonal Pembrokeshire campsite with motorhomes camping on the site of a former scrapyard has been given the go-ahead by national park planners.

In an application recommended for approval at the July meeting of Pembrokeshire coast National Park’s development management committee, Mr A Stoddart, through agent Addison Design & Development, sought permission for a change of use of land for the formation of 11 ‘touring caravan’ pitches, tent pitches and the siting of three shepherd’s huts, partly retrospective, on land to the east of Talbenny Hall Farm, Talbenny, near Haverfordwest.

The retrospective element related to the retention of an existing storage shed and facilities building.

The application was for committee consideration as officers had recommended approval despite objections from local community council The Havens.

An officer report for members said a change of use was sought for a a former scrapyard site, “which has been remediated and more recently operated as a seasonal campsite, to provide a seasonal formal camping and glamping site”.

It added: “During the determination of the application, a significant amount of additional information has been submitted in response to consultee comments. In particular, the Local Highway Authority initially objected to the proposal on highway safety grounds pending the submission of further technical information.”

It said those concerns had been withdrawn after further information was received, the scheme before committee as it “relates to a new tourism development in the countryside, and because The Havens Community Council has maintained an objection on highway safety grounds”.

It went on to say: “The site will operate as a medium sized seasonal tourism development between March 31 and September 30 each year. The applicant has confirmed that the three shepherd’s huts will be removed from the site outside the operating season and stored within the existing onsite storage building.

“Officers consider that the previously developed nature of the site, its enclosed landscape setting, seasonal operation and the resolution of technical matters relating to highway safety, ecology and drainage demonstrate overall policy compliance with the requirements [of planning policy] and the proposal is therefore recommended for approval subject to conditions.”

At the meeting, members heard the 2023 submitted scheme had been delayed due to the applicant facing “exceptional personal circumstances”.

Concerns were raised at the meeting by objector Alison Gibbey on highways grounds, while agent Zac Addison told members the former scrapyard had been transformed into “a beautiful little haven,” the applicant not wanting to be “a nuisance to anybody”.

He said the ‘touring pitches’ would be solely used for motorhomes, with a maximum of 20 tents in the tent pitch area.

Moving approval, Cllr Di Clements reflected it was positive tourism in the county was spreading inland away from “honey pot” coastal areas, suggesting a ‘quiet time’ evening condition be included in any approval.

Members unanimously backed the recommendation of approval, Cllr Mike James commenting: “to have something like this in the rural areas, it’s really good to see this.”

Education

Public consultation on Tenby area schools changes to be held

Published

4 hours ago

July 18, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PUBLIC consultation is to be held on discontinuing two schools in the Tenby area, including Greenhill comprehensive, with the aim of establishing a new 3-19 community school.

In a report before Pembrokeshire County Council’s meeting of July 16, members were asked to back a public consultation into establishing a new 3-19 community school in the Tenby area, discontinuing Tenby Church in Wales VC School and Ysgol Greenhill comprehensive.

Back in December councillors backed authorising the Director of Education to commence statutory consultation on establishing a new 3-19 school, a split site initially, but as part of an investment to rebuild/extend Tenby’s Greenhill site, or on a new site.

It included a consultation with the St David’s Diocese to discontinue Tenby Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School, and to discontinue Ysgol Greenhill before the report before members in July.

A report for members, presented by the council’s deputy leader, and now Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Paul Miller said that, since the December meeting, St David’s Diocese responded by conditionally supporting the Tenby VC School element, subject to the newly established 3–19 school retaining a religious character, either as a Voluntary Aided (VA) or Voluntary Controlled (VC) school.

The report added: “In accordance with the decision of council at its meeting on December 12, and the statutory requirements of the School Organisation Code, consultation has been undertaken with the St David’s Diocese.

“In relation to the council’s proposal for Tenby VC School, the comments received from the Diocese do not provide any reason not to proceed with general consultation.”

It added: “As most pupils within the cluster attend community primary schools, it is recommended that consultation be undertaken on the basis of establishing a community primary school.

“It should be noted that, whatever the decision, this would merely reflect the preferred option outlined within the general consultation document.

“Members would still be required to give due consideration to feedback received as a result of the consultation, which may include a preference by consultees for a different governance model.”

Members, by 41 votes to two abstentions, backed the formal consultation, which had been moved by Council Leader Cllr Tessa Hodgson.