TRADE unions have warned that hundreds of industrial jobs in Pembrokeshire could be at risk without stronger long-term support for Welsh manufacturing, as political parties set out competing approaches ahead of the Senedd elections.

TUC Cymru says its analysis suggests 939 industrial jobs in Pembrokeshire could be vulnerable if investment in clean industrial upgrades were withdrawn, warning that policies proposed by Reform UK, and to a lesser extent the Conservatives, pose the greatest risk to industrial employment.

The warning comes as the union body launched its “Save Welsh Industry – No More Site Closures!” campaign at events in Deeside and Swansea, calling on all political parties to commit to a five-point plan to protect and future-proof Welsh industry.

According to TUC Cymru, jobs at risk locally include 434 in automotive supply chains, 183 in rubber and plastics and 75 in glass manufacturing. The union body says these sectors rely on continued investment to remain competitive and avoid offshoring.

TUC Cymru said its modelling focused on industries most exposed to closure or relocation if industrial modernisation and decarbonisation are not delivered. It argues that without sustained public and private investment, Welsh manufacturing faces further decline.

A GMB member working at Valero in Pembrokeshire said: “It’s clear Nigel Farage has no clear plan. I can see this industry collapsing under his policies. We need support, not division. His way will lead to job losses across the board and the lights will go out.”

The union body stressed that all parties need to strengthen their industrial policies, but claimed Reform UK’s stated opposition to net zero-related investment would place the largest number of jobs at risk across Wales, estimating that almost 40,000 industrial jobs nationally could be affected. Conservative policies were also criticised, though the TUC said the likelihood of job losses under the Conservatives was lower.

Labour has rejected claims that Welsh industry is being neglected, pointing to recent investment announcements made at the Wales Investment Summit, where more than £16bn worth of projects were highlighted as being in the pipeline across Wales.

Ministers said the summit demonstrated growing investor confidence, with projects linked to clean energy, advanced manufacturing, ports, digital infrastructure and battery storage, and thousands of jobs expected as schemes move from planning into delivery.

Labour has argued that public investment is being used to unlock private sector funding, particularly in industrial regions, and says modernising industry is essential to keeping Welsh manufacturing competitive while protecting long-term employment.

At UK level, the party has also highlighted its National Wealth Fund and GB Energy commitments, which it says will support domestic supply chains, reduce long-term energy costs for industry and help secure both existing and future jobs.

Opposition parties and some business groups have questioned whether all announced projects will translate into permanent employment, arguing that greater clarity is needed on timescales and delivery.

Reform UK has argued that scrapping net zero policies would cut public spending and reduce costs for households and businesses, while the Conservatives have pledged to roll back climate-related targets and reduce regulation on industry.

Unions dispute those claims, warning that higher electricity prices and a lack of investment would make Welsh industry less competitive internationally.

TUC Cymru President Tom Hoyles said Welsh industry needed urgent action from all parties to survive and thrive in the 21st century, warning that policies which sought to turn back the clock could put thousands of Welsh jobs at risk.

With industrial areas including Flintshire, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire also identified as facing significant pressures, the future of Welsh manufacturing is expected to remain a key political issue in the run-up to the Senedd elections.

SCHOOL leaders from across Wales are delivering Christmas cards to the Senedd today in a symbolic call for fair funding for schools.

The cards, one for every Senedd member, are being delivered by school leaders’ union NAHT Cymru, urging politicians to give children in Wales what it describes as the “best Christmas gift” – a fully and fairly funded education.

NAHT Cymru national secretary Laura Doel and president Kerina Hanson are gathering outside the Senedd at 1:00pm today before handing the cards in at the Senedd reception.

The action follows the union’s warning last week that while £339m came to the Welsh Government as a result of increased education spending in England for the 2026/27 draft budget, only £39m has so far been allocated to core school budgets in Wales.

Earlier this week, an additional £112.8m was allocated to local government following a budget agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru, with some of that funding expected to reach schools.

However, NAHT Cymru says the additional money will fall well short of what is needed. The Welsh Local Government Association has predicted a £137m shortfall in school budgets in Wales for the next financial year, while local authorities are also facing a £200m deficit in social care funding.

The union has also raised concerns that the First Minister has declined to explain how the £339m of additional education funding has been allocated, prompting calls for urgent and transparent scrutiny of the budget.

Speaking ahead of the card delivery, Laura Doel said: “Christmas is a time of giving, and we’re urging the Welsh Government to give schools in Wales the funding they rightfully deserve.

“The money that comes to Wales for education should be spent on education, yet we know much of it has never reached schools. We urgently need clarity on where this money has gone and to see greater investment going directly to pupils.

“The system is at breaking point, and without action we are facing an incredibly bleak new year for schools across Wales.

“We’re calling on every member of the Senedd to act this Christmas and give children in Wales the best possible gift – a fully and fairly funded education.”

The Welsh Government says education remains a priority, pointing to additional funding agreed with Plaid Cymru for local government, some of which is expected to support schools.

However, teaching unions and local authorities continue to warn that funding pressures remain severe.

Awareness high as review finds shift in attitudes and fewer prosecutions

A LANDMARK Welsh law banning the physical punishment of children is beginning to change attitudes and protect young people, according to a new Welsh Government review published on Tuesday (Dec 16).

The Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Act 2020 came into force in March 2022, making it illegal for parents and carers to physically punish children.

Three years on, an independent evidence review has found high public awareness of the law, strong professional confidence in applying it, and a growing rejection of physical punishment as an effective form of discipline.

One of the central findings relates to the Out-of-Court Parenting Support Scheme, which allows parents to access guidance and education rather than face prosecution. Since the law was introduced, around 365 families have been referred to the scheme, with 310 parents completing the sessions. The majority reported positive outcomes, while fewer than five cases have progressed to prosecution.

The Welsh Government says this demonstrates that the legislation is focused on education and prevention rather than punishment.

The review found that awareness of the law is widespread. Around 95% of parents surveyed said they know physical punishment is illegal, while 87% of the general public were aware of the legislation. A similar proportion of children and young people said they understood that parents are not permitted to physically punish them.

Attitudes towards discipline are also shifting. The review found that 86% of parents now view physical punishment as ineffective.

Professionals working with children and families reported increased confidence when discussing discipline and children’s rights with parents, saying the law has removed previous uncertainty about what is acceptable.

However, the review also identified areas where further work is needed, including additional research and ongoing support for the workforce implementing the law.

Responding to the findings, the Minister for Children and Social Care, Dawn Bowden said the legislation was making “significant progress” in protecting children’s rights.

She said: “By supporting families rather than punishing them, we are helping parents develop positive relationships with their children.

“The fact that almost all parents now know physical punishment is illegal, and the majority see it as ineffective, represents a significant cultural shift.

“Our approach prioritises education and support, with hundreds of families benefiting from parenting programmes. We want a Wales where every child is safe, valued and respected.”

However, the law has not been without criticism.

Opponents have previously warned that banning physical punishment risks drawing the state further into family life and criminalising parents for low-level incidents that would once have been dealt with informally. Others have raised concerns about police workload and the challenge of consistent enforcement, while some parents continue to argue that discipline should remain a private family matter.

Welsh ministers maintain that the focus remains firmly on education and support rather than prosecution, but debate around the law’s long-term impact on families and public services continues.