News

Starmer freezes fuel duty rise amid Middle East tensions

Published

4 weeks ago

May 20, 2026

Prime Minister accused of ‘U-turn’ at heated PMQs as motorists spared planned 5p increase

PRIME MINISTER Sir Keir Starmer has announced that the planned 5p increase in fuel duty will be postponed until the end of the year, amid growing fears over rising fuel prices linked to tensions in the Middle East.

Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday (May 20), Starmer said the government had decided to extend the long-running fuel duty freeze to protect households already struggling with rising living costs.

The decision means motorists across Wales, including rural communities in Pembrokeshire where car travel is often essential, will avoid an increase that had been expected to take effect later this year.

Fuel duty had originally been cut by 5p per litre in March 2022 under the Conservative government as a temporary measure during the cost-of-living crisis. The cut had been due to expire, with prices expected to rise between September and March 2027.

Starmer told MPs the freeze was being extended because of instability in global energy markets following escalating conflict in the Middle East.

“We stopped that and they voted against it,” Starmer said, referring to Conservative opposition, adding that families were “fed up” with bills constantly rising.

The announcement came as average petrol prices reached their highest level since the outbreak of conflict involving Iran earlier this week, with prices reported to have climbed to 158.52p per litre.

However, the move quickly sparked criticism from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who accused the Prime Minister of performing a political “U-turn”.

Opening her questions at PMQs, Badenoch said: “Thank you for the U-turn, Prime Minister,” before pressing Labour on energy policy and its stance on North Sea oil and gas.

The exchange quickly turned to Labour’s decision to loosen some restrictions on Russian oil products refined in third countries, a move ministers say is necessary to stabilise fuel supplies and prevent further price shocks.

Badenoch challenged Starmer directly, asking: “Why is oil from Russia acceptable, but oil from Aberdeen is not?”

Starmer denied Labour was weakening sanctions on Moscow, insisting the changes formed part of a wider sanctions package and that “none of the existing sanctions are being lifted in any way”.

The Prime Minister said temporary licences had been introduced to help phase in tougher measures while protecting British consumers from supply disruption.

The heated Commons clash comes at a difficult time for Labour following major election setbacks in Wales, Scotland and England earlier this month. Labour lost control of the Senedd for the first time in 27 years, while almost 1,500 Labour councillors reportedly lost their seats across England.

Political pressure on Starmer has intensified in recent days following the resignation of former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, one of Labour’s most senior figures, amid growing unrest within the party.

For Welsh motorists — particularly in rural areas where public transport options remain limited — the fuel duty freeze is likely to be welcomed, at least in the short term, as household budgets continue to come under pressure.

Entertainment

The Big Retreat confirms first details for 2027 Pembrokeshire festival

Published

8 minutes ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Soul Space sessions, new relaxation areas and Abba Revival among early announcements

THE BIG RETREAT FESTIVAL has revealed the first details of its 2027 event in Pembrokeshire, with organisers promising new spaces, more inclusive activities and the return of a popular Main Stage act.

The festival will take place from May 28 to May 31, 2027, at Newton Farm, Lawrenny.

Organisers said they had been reflecting on feedback from this year’s event, with visitors most often describing the festival as “fun, relaxing and friendly.”

Among the changes already planned for 2027 is the inclusion of all sessions within The Soul Space as part of the standard festival ticket.

New areas dedicated to rest, relaxation and connection are also being introduced, giving visitors more opportunities to step away from busier parts of the site during the weekend.

The Talk Tent will move to the Village Green, while a new Gathering Place will also be created there. Hosted by the festival’s Solo Traveller Manager and Accessibility Manager, the space will be open to everyone as somewhere to meet others, ask questions, relax or take a moment out.

Other changes include new glamping accommodation with electric hook-ups and the return of the football pitch in Family Camping.

Organisers have also confirmed that Abba Revival will return to The Big Retreat Pembrokeshire in 2027 as the first announced Main Stage act.

The tribute act proved popular at this year’s event, with organisers saying the request to bring them back came up repeatedly in visitor feedback.

The festival team said: “One of the things we love most about The Big Retreat is that no two people experience it in the same way.

“Some come for the music. Some for the yoga. Some for the wild swimming. Some for the talks. Some for the food. Some for the adventure.

“However you choose to spend your weekend, our goal remains the same: Feel Good Your Way.”

First wave tickets are now on sale, with organisers also offering a ten-month payment plan.

Glamping accommodation for 2027, including the new electric hook-up options, is due to go on sale on Wednesday, June 17.

News

Police close Hakin Bridge amid welfare concern

Published

18 minutes ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Bridge was shut for around 35 minutes while officers dealt with incident

POLICE temporarily closed Hakin Bridge in Milford Haven over the weekend following concerns for the welfare of an individual.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were called to the bridge at around 11:20pm on Saturday (June 13).

The road was closed shortly afterwards, at around 11:30pm, while officers dealt with the incident.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Dyfed-Powys Police received a call for a concern of welfare of an individual on Hakin Bridge, Milford Haven at around 11:20pm on Saturday, June 13.

“The individual was spoken to by officers at the scene, who ensured their safety.

“The road was closed from 11:30pm and reopened at approximately 12:05am on Sunday, June 14.”

The closure lasted around 35 minutes and affected traffic between Hakin and Milford Haven.

Photo caption:

Temporary closure: Hakin Bridge was closed while police dealt with the incident (Pic: File image).

Community

Pembrokeshire young people to benefit from new Youth Hub

Published

27 minutes ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE is among 20 areas in Wales set to benefit from a Youth Hub aimed at helping young people into work, training and education.

The UK Labour Government has confirmed that seven more Youth Hubs will open across Wales over the next two years, in addition to 13 areas already announced in the first year of the programme.

Pembrokeshire was included in the first round of areas allocated a hub, alongside Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Caerphilly, Newport, Wrexham and others.

The hubs are designed to bring together job centre services, careers advice, skills and training opportunities, mental health support, housing advice and links to local employers offering live jobs and apprenticeships.

The aim is to ensure that every young person in Wales is no more than one hour away from a Youth Hub by public transport.

Shav Taj MS, Welsh Labour spokesperson for Employment and Equalities, said local and tailored support was “invaluable” in helping young people take their first step onto the jobs ladder.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said the hubs would help young people get “that vital first job” by providing support, training opportunities and connections to employers.

The UK Government says the Youth Hubs form part of a wider £2.5bn programme to tackle youth unemployment, with more than 360 local areas across Great Britain expected to be covered over the next three years.

Exact local sites will be decided by delivery partners working with local authorities.