THOUSANDS of homes and businesses in Milford Haven can now access Full Fibre broadband following a £2.1m investment by Openreach.

The upgrade means around 7,000 properties in the town are now able to move to faster and more reliable internet connections, with 85% of premises in the area covered by the new network.

Openreach says many residents and businesses may still be using slower connections because the upgrade is not automatic. Customers need to place an order through their chosen broadband provider to switch to Full Fibre.

Martin Williams, Partnership Director for Wales and the South West, said: “Most of Milford Haven is now covered by Full Fibre, but many residents and businesses still haven’t made the switch. It’s not automatic – you need to place an order with your chosen broadband provider.

“The difference in speed and reliability can be significant, especially for busy households or people working from home. We want to make sure everyone knows what’s available and how to get it.

“Openreach is committed to building the best Full Fibre network, and doing it sustainably. Through our Let’s Reach Zero strategy, we’re working to reduce carbon emissions, use fewer resources, cut waste, and protect nature wherever we operate.”

Full Fibre is designed to offer faster downloads, more stable connections and better performance when several devices are being used at the same time.

Openreach says the service can support modern online use including streaming, gaming, video calls, home working, online banking and running a business.

The company’s Full Fibre network now reaches 22 million homes and businesses across the UK. It plans to extend this to 25 million by the end of 2026, with the potential to reach 30 million by 2030 if investment conditions remain supportive.

Residents can check whether their property is able to upgrade by using Openreach’s Full Fibre checker.

SENEDD Member for Ceredigion Penfro, Paul Davies, has called on Ceredigion County Council to urgently review its policy on car parking charges, following growing concerns from local businesses about the negative impact charges have on trade and town centre footfall.

Mr Davies wrote to the Leader of the Council on May 18, to highlight the challenges faced by businesses across Ceredigion’s towns, where rising parking costs are seen as a deterrent to people visiting local high streets. He urged the local authority to listen carefully to the concerns being raised and to review these charges.

In his letter, Mr Davies wrote: “I’m writing to raise concerns regarding car parking charges across Ceredigion, and to urge the local authority to do all it reasonably can to minimise these costs for individuals spending time in towns throughout the county.

“This is a serious issue for local businesses, many of whom have made it clear that car parking charges risk deterring people from visiting our high streets and towns. Any resulting decline in footfall would have immediate and damaging consequences for local trade and, more broadly,for the county’s economy.

“At a time when our high streets are already facing significant challenges, | believe it’s unacceptable that additional financial barriers have been introduced. The Council should be actively supporting its high streets and town centres and encouraging people to visit, not implementing measures that make doing so more difficult and less affordable.

“The concerns raised by both residents and businesses are justified and cannot be ignored. The Council must act on these concerns and urgently review the decision to introduce or increase car parking charges, with a view to reducing their impact.”

Many locals have voiced their concerns on social media, commenting on the “outrageous” cost of parking and the cost of public toilets, claiming that Ceredigion County Council are to blame for the loss of footfall in the area. 

Mr Davies said: “Car parking charges add yet another barrier to people visiting our towns and high streets and can be detrimental to local businesses, at a time when many businesses are already facing significant economic pressures.

“Our high streets are the backbone of our communities and play a vital role in the local economy. If people are put off visiting because of the cost of parking, then businesses will inevitably suffer. This is not only short-sighted but risks causing long-term damage to the vibrancy of our towns.

“The Council must act on the valid concerns being raised and review its parking policy as a matter of urgency. The focus should be on encouraging footfall, supporting local trade, and ensuring that our town centres remain accessible and affordable for everyone.”

HMRC says thousands of families may be missing out by delaying claims

NEW parents across Wales are being urged to claim Child Benefit as soon as possible after new figures revealed that more than 30 per cent are missing out on payments during their baby’s first year.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) says thousands of families are delaying claims and losing out on financial support which could amount to more than £1,400 a year for a first child.

The warning comes as more than 140,000 babies were born between April and June last year, with HMRC encouraging parents who welcomed a child this spring to make a claim using the HMRC app or online through GOV.UK.

While 6.8 million families claimed Child Benefit in the year to August 2025, only 68.8 per cent did so before their baby’s first birthday.

Child Benefit is worth £27.05 a week, or £1,406.60 a year, for an eldest or only child. Families can also receive £17.90 a week, or £930.80 a year, for each additional child, with no limit on the number of children they can claim for.

HMRC said Child Benefit can be claimed 48 hours after a baby’s birth has been registered, but payments can only be backdated for up to three months from the date the claim is received.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer said: “Spring is a wonderful time to welcome a baby and claiming Child Benefit as soon as possible means your family can benefit from much-needed financial support.

“It is quick and easy to claim Child Benefit via the HMRC app at a time that suits you.”

Parents making a new claim will need their child’s birth or adoption certificate, bank details, their National Insurance number and, if they have one, their partner’s National Insurance number.

For children born outside the UK, parents may also need the child’s original birth or adoption certificate and passport or travel document.

HMRC says payments are usually made automatically into a bank account every four weeks.

Claiming Child Benefit can also help protect a parent’s future State Pension entitlement through National Insurance credits, particularly for those who are not in paid employment or receiving credits through another route.

It also means a child will automatically receive their National Insurance number when they turn 16.

Parents or partners earning more than £60,000 a year may have to pay the High-Income Child Benefit Charge. However, HMRC says families can still claim Child Benefit and choose not to receive the payments, while still receiving National Insurance credits.

Families who previously opted out of Child Benefit payments can restart them through the HMRC app or online.

Photo caption: Helping hand: HMRC is urging new parents to claim Child Benefit as soon as possible after welcoming a baby (Pic: HMRC).