News

Funding cuts hit Pembrokeshire College jobs

Published

11 years ago

March 7, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Funding cuts hit jobs: Pembrokeshire College

PEMBROKESHIRE COLLEGE confirmed to The Herald on Friday (March 7) that part-time courses will be hit following Welsh Government funding cuts.

Recent funding allocations issued to colleges across Wales show that funding for part-time courses would be cut by 50 per cent for academic year 2015/16 – however funding for basic skills, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Learners with Learning Difficulties or Disabilities (LLDD) would be protected.

Overall the cuts will mean a £14.1 million reduction in funding for the further education sector in Wales.

As well as cuts to part-time funding, colleges will also need to make an efficiency gain of 2.6 per cent in the delivery of their full-time courses which is consistent with the efficiency gains required to be made by school sixth forms.

Pembrokeshire College is currently in the process of planning for this change and is working with staff to look at alternative delivery methods to try to minimise the impact on course delivery as much as possible. In reality the College is facing a cut in funding of £800,000 for 2015/16.

In addition to the Welsh Government cuts, there is also uncertainty regarding the Sector Priorities Fund aimed at providing part-time provision for employed adults over the age of 19. During 2014/15 this provided the College with funding in the region of £1 million but, as yet, the funding position for 2015/16 is unclear. As such, the College has entered into voluntary redundancy talks with its staff.

Trade Unions UCU, ATL and UNISON who represent members in FE Colleges across Wales said they are outraged by the scale of funding cuts announced by the Welsh Government, which have been imposed on Welsh FE Colleges through decisions made in Westminster. Speaking on behalf of the joint trade unions, Hugh McDyer, Area Organiser for Unison, commented: “We are working closely with Pembrokeshire College to avoid compulsoryredundancies and will continue as unions to campaign for a fair deal for FE. There has to be government commitment to provide adequate funding to the FE sector, to protect ‘second chance’ learning and the life changing opportunities that this can provide for thousands of adults in both Wales and the rest of the UK.”

The funding cuts will not affect the College’s ability to deliver full-time courses aimed at 16-18 year olds. College Principal, Sharron Lusher, commented: “Here, it is very much a case of business as usual to ensure our young learners achieve excellent results again this year. Our outstanding A-level results last year resulted in 33.3% of our students achieving A – A* and 37% of students studying Extended Diplomas achieved Distinction/Distinction*. In 2014 we saw 165 of our learners progressing into universities and higher education – a significant number. Upskilling the unemployed and adults in the most need of basic skills training will also remain as a core activity of the College.”

She commented further: ‘I met with staff today and recognise that it is a difficult message to deliver to a team of staff who have shown their dedication to delivering high quality part-time education and training to learners from across Pembrokeshire for many years – we are working hard to minimise the impact of the funding reductions.”

News

Reform reveals west Wales candidates for Senedd battle

Published

5 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Monkton councillor tops Pembrokeshire list as party confirms Carmarthenshire names and includes Haverfordwest councillor in unwinnable Swansea spot

REFORM UK has unveiled its full list of candidates for the 2026 Senedd election, setting out its challenge across west Wales including Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

The party has named Susan Claire Archibald, a sitting councillor for Monkton on Pembroke Town Council, as its lead candidate for the Ceredigion Preseli, Mid and South Pembrokeshire regional list.

Speaking to The Herald, Archibald said: “I am honoured to represent Reform UK and Wales.” She added that a fuller statement outlining her priorities would be released in due course.

The remaining candidates on the Pembrokeshire regional list are Paul Marr, a former prison officer, Michael Allen, Elisa Randall, Peter John and Bernard Holton.

Carmarthenshire candidates named

Reform has also confirmed its list for the Caerfyrddin and Llanelli region, with Gareth Beer placed first, followed by Carmelo Colasanto, Sarah Edwards, Christopher Brooke, Alan Cole and Michelle Beer.

The announcement forms part of a nationwide rollout of candidates as the party seeks to establish itself as a credible electoral force ahead of the 2026 vote.

Thorley listed in Swansea region

Among the names included elsewhere is Scott Thorley, a Haverfordwest-based councillor and the first Reform representative elected to Pembrokeshire County Council.

Thorley appears on the party’s list for the Gower and Swansea West region, where he is placed sixth.

Under the Senedd’s proportional representation system, candidates placed lower on regional lists are significantly less likely to be elected, meaning his position is widely viewed as a paper candidacy to complete the slate.

Election framing

Reform Wales leader Dan Thomas said the party was offering voters a stark political choice.

He said: “After a hundred years of failure, Labour are finished in Wales. The choice at this election is what comes next — common sense and a fresh start with Reform, or independence by stealth with Plaid Cymru.”

The Herald understands that further announcements, including candidate profiles and policy details, are expected in the coming weeks as the campaign begins to take shape.

Crime

Man bailed after serious assault in Fishguard town centre

Published

6 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault in Fishguard that has left a man in hospital.

The incident happened on Main Street at around 11:00pm on Saturday (Mar 21), when the victim was reportedly punched, sustaining head injuries. He remains in hospital receiving treatment.

A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH) and has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.

Dyfed-Powys Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have information that could assist the investigation, to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting reference: 26*227686.

Information can be provided online via the Dyfed-Powys Police website, by emailing [email protected], by calling 101, or by sending a direct message on social media.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

News

Childcare funding boost announced in Wales

Published

6 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Hourly rate to rise as costs increase

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has confirmed an increase in the hourly rate paid to childcare providers under its Childcare Offer, following a review of funding levels.

The Minister for Children and Social Care, DAWN BOWDEN MS, announced that the rate will rise to £6.67 per hour from April 6, 2026. The increase of 4.18% comes after feedback from childcare providers and sector data gathered during 2025.

The Welsh Government said the change is designed to help providers cope with rising costs, including increases to the National Living Wage.

The Herald understands the review drew on responses from the Childcare Offer’s Annual Survey, as well as information from Care Inspectorate Wales’ Self-Assessment of Service Statement (SASS).

The move follows a policy shift announced last year to review the rate annually, rather than every three years, in a bid to make funding more responsive to pressures facing the sector.

As part of the update, the maximum charge for meals will also increase by 4.18%, which ministers say is intended to balance affordability for both providers and parents.

Dawn Boden said the Welsh Government remains committed to supporting the long-term sustainability of childcare services, adding that officials will continue working with the sector to explore further improvements.