THE UK’S economy experienced an unexpected contraction of 0.1% in January 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), raising concerns about the nation’s economic trajectory. This downturn has intensified debates over current fiscal policies, particularly those affecting rural communities and employment.​

Samuel Kurtz, Member of the Senedd (MS) for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire and the Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Energy, has been vocal in his criticism of the Labour government’s recent tax policies. He argues that these measures, notably the so-called ‘family farm tax’ and ‘jobs tax’, are detrimental to economic growth and the livelihoods of people in Wales.​

The ‘family farm tax’ refers to proposed changes in inheritance tax, imposing a 20% levy on agricultural assets exceeding £1 million, set to take effect from April 2026. Critics, including NFU Cymru President Aled Jones, warn that this tax could encompass the majority of Wales’ working family farms, potentially leading to financial burdens that threaten their sustainability. ​

In addition, the ‘jobs tax’ pertains to increases in employers’ National Insurance contributions, a move that has faced opposition from business leaders concerned about its impact on employment and economic recovery. ​

Kurtz emphasizes the urgency for the Chancellor to reconsider these policies in the forthcoming budget, aiming to restore business confidence and support key sectors of the economy.​

He told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “The ONS figures confirm a decline in growth, further proof of the damage caused by Labour’s Budget last autumn.

“Labour pledged to deliver the fastest-growing economy in the G7, yet business confidence has plummeted, living standards are in decline, and jobs are being lost.

“With just 12 days until the emergency Budget, the Chancellor must reverse her damaging policies including Labour’s jobs tax and family farm tax and do whatever it takes to restore business confidence.”

The economic contraction in January underscores the challenges facing the UK government as it seeks to balance fiscal responsibility with the need to foster growth and stability, particularly in sectors vital to Wales’ economy.

PLANS to shift the supervision of sex offenders and domestic abusers in England and Wales to less-qualified probation staff have raised alarm among experts, with warnings that public safety could be at risk.

Under the proposals, set to be implemented in June, behaviour programmes for offenders will be delivered by “band 3” staff—who are not fully qualified probation officers—rather than “band 4” officers with extensive experience handling serious cases, including those involving rapists and paedophiles, and violent partners.

The move is part of wider changes in the probation system, which will also see the number of low- and medium-risk offenders required to complete twice-weekly rehabilitation courses reduced. Instead, probation officers will be expected to manage these offenders using “toolkits” in weekly meetings, rather than putting them through structured rehabilitation courses.

Some intervention programmes for sex offenders, including Horizon, Kaizen, and iHorizon, will also be scrapped in favour of a new single scheme called Building Choices.

Martin Jones, the chief inspector of probation, has urged the government to closely monitor the new programmes to ensure they are effective and do not compromise public safety.

“HM Prison and Probation Service needs to be certain that these programmes are delivering the intended results,” Jones said. “There is a real risk of wasting public money on schemes that fail to reduce reoffending.”

Concerns have been growing among probation officers, who have been voicing their unease for months. Some believe the changes will not lighten their workload, as intended, but instead add to it. Others fear that shifting responsibility to less-experienced staff could lead to poor outcomes.

Whitehall sources have echoed these concerns, warning that the new approach could damage the probation service’s reputation and effectiveness.

A probation officer, speaking anonymously, said: “There are serious worries about these changes. Peer challenge in group settings is a key part of rehabilitation—when offenders deny their crimes, others in the group call them out. This dynamic is much harder to achieve in one-on-one meetings.”

The overhaul comes amid broader pressures on the probation system. Last month, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced that rehabilitation courses for 13,000 convicted criminals would be scrapped due to what she described as “impossible” workloads faced by probation officers.

Mahmood defended the changes, stating: “We must prioritise resources for the most serious offenders. Those who pose a higher risk will still receive the courses they need, and breaches of licence conditions will continue to be met with prison recalls.”

She also outlined plans to recruit 1,300 new probation officers by March 2026, alongside an additional 1,000 staff by this March, and introduce new technology to reduce administrative burdens on officers.

Jones acknowledged the need for reforms, admitting that probation officers were struggling with heavy caseloads, but stressed that cutting structured rehabilitation for lower-risk offenders should be carefully reviewed to avoid unintended consequences.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Our priority is keeping the public safe, which is why probation officers will continue to focus on the highest-risk offenders. Only staff who are fully trained will be allowed to deliver accredited rehabilitation programmes, and this will not change under the new proposals.”

HAVERFORDWEST Parkrun number 312 took place on Saturday (Mar 15) at the Racecourse, with 80 participants crossing the finish line—among them, Henry Tufnell MP, who completed his first parkrun.

The MP recorded a time of 18 minutes and 14 seconds at the free weekly 5k community event. His wife, Poppy, also took part, volunteering for the first time as one of 15 helpers who ensure the event runs smoothly under the parkrun UK umbrella.

The event, which has now seen 24,536 finishers, takes place every Saturday at 9:00am. Organisers expressed gratitude to Haverfordwest Racecourse Public Park Trust for their continued support in hosting the event and to Haverfordwest Cricket Club for providing toilet facilities for participants each week.