Politics
Railway electrification: Further delays likely


Delays expected: Electrification is running four years late in England
AFTER Network Rail confirmed that rail electrification in the south of England is running four years late, Plaid Cymru’s Treasury spokesperson has called for urgent clarification concerning the implied further delays to electrification of the south Wales line.
In December 2015, the Labour Economy Minister said that the electrification of the Great Western Main Line between London and Cardiff will now be completed between 2019 and 2024, however reports say that the electrification of the line to Bristol is now expected in 2020, suggesting even greater delays to Wales’ electrification project.
Plaid Cymru Treasury spokesperson, Jonathan Edwards MP said that problems elsewhere must not lead to further delays in Wales. Delays to the project have already set the project to the south Wales mainline back by two years.
Further slippage would be ‘unacceptable,’ Mr Edwards added, claiming that it would prove that Wales is not on the UK government’s agenda, whilst the Labour government in Wales has proven itself incapable of fighting for Wales.
Mr Edwards said: “These reports raise serious concerns that the project in Wales is going to be put back even further. The electrification of the south Wales mainline was originally to happen next year, and it’s already been pushed back to 2019. Both the Conservative UK government and the Labour government in Wales need to tell us what’s going on – is Wales going to miss out even further?
“The electrification of the rail line is a necessary upgrade that will be important to the economy. It should be a priority, but it’s clearly an afterthought for the Tories in London whilst the Labour Government in Wales has failed to keep Wales on top of the agenda. This is a double let down.
“The people of Wales who voted for the Conservative government on the basis of this manifesto commitment will be questioning whether it’s going to keep its promise at all.
“What Wales needs is a government that will fight for its economic interests and will not let the UK Government to renege on its promises to the people of Wales. A Plaid Cymru government will also place a great emphasis in investing in infrastructure, upgrading transport, physical and digital infrastructure to keep Wales connected. Plaid Cymru is the change Wales needs.”
News
Tenby councillors seek new member to fill vacancy

TENBY TOWN COUNCIL is inviting residents to put their names forward to fill a vacant seat on the council following the resignation of a councillor.
The council will be filling the role by co-option, rather than holding a by-election. This means that eligible individuals can apply directly to be considered, and councillors will then vote to select a new member.
Anyone interested must be over the age of 18 and meet standard criteria such as living or working in the Tenby area.
The vacancy is in the South Ward. The successful candidate will join the remaining members of the council in representing the town on local issues.
Those wishing to be considered should submit a letter or email outlining their interest and suitability for the role by 12:00 noon on Friday, July 5, 2025.
Applications should be sent to the Town Clerk, Andrew Davies, at Tenby Town Council, The De Valence Pavilion, Upper Frog Street, Tenby, SA70 7JD, or by email to [email protected].
The co-option will take place at the full council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 9, 2025.
Crime
Vagrancy Act to be scrapped after 200 years

Law criminalising rough sleeping to be repealed by spring
ROUGH sleeping will no longer be treated as a crime, as the UK Government confirms plans to formally repeal the Vagrancy Act 1824.
The 200-year-old law, introduced to tackle homelessness in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars, has been widely criticised by campaigners for treating poverty as a criminal issue.
Although prosecutions under the Act have declined significantly in recent years, it remains enforceable in England and Wales. The Government says it will now be repealed entirely by spring 2026.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “We are drawing a line under nearly two centuries of injustice towards some of the most vulnerable in society, who deserve dignity and support.
“No one should ever be criminalised simply for sleeping rough, and by scrapping this cruel and outdated law, we are making sure that can never happen again.”
The move forms part of a wider government strategy to tackle the root causes of homelessness. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has increased homelessness funding by £233 million this year, bringing the total for 2025–26 to nearly £1 billion.
Minister for Homelessness, Rushanara Ali said: “Today marks a historic shift. Scrapping the Vagrancy Act is another step forward in our mission to tackle homelessness in all its forms.”
The Government says new powers will be introduced to replace elements of the Vagrancy Act which deal with criminal behaviour, not rough sleeping. These include a new offence of facilitating begging for gain – aimed at tackling exploitation by organised crime groups – and an offence of trespassing with intent to commit a crime.
Matt Downie, Chief Executive of homelessness charity Crisis, said: “This is a landmark moment that will change lives. For 200 years the Vagrancy Act has meant that people who are homeless are treated as criminals. Ending its use recognises a shameful history of persecuting people for poverty and destitution.”
Emma Haddad, Chief Executive of St Mungo’s, said: “The repeal of the Vagrancy Act cannot come soon enough. We are supporting thousands of people sleeping rough, all with their own stories – from complex health issues to an unaffordable housing market.”
The Deputy Prime Minister is working with councils, mayors, and frontline organisations on a new national homelessness strategy, due to be published later this year.
News
Teacher pay row intensifies as NAHT Cymru responds to Welsh Government offer

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has come under fire from a leading education union after announcing its latest pay recommendation for teachers and school leaders.
Laura Doel, National Secretary of NAHT Cymru, has criticised the government’s proposal of a 4% pay increase, arguing it falls short of the 4.8% uplift recommended by the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body (IWPRB).
The union, which represents headteachers and senior school leaders, welcomed the IWPRB’s recognition of the recruitment and retention crisis in Welsh schools, but expressed disappointment that the Welsh Government appeared unwilling to fully honour the review body’s advice on financial grounds.
“While we are relieved that the IWPRB has listened to the evidence put forward on behalf of leaders about the challenges with recruitment and retention, we are concerned that the Welsh Government’s counteroffer of 4% seeks to ignore the recommendations of the review body due to affordability,” said Ms Doel.
The Welsh Government has framed the pay offer as part of a two-year package, combining last year’s 5% award with this year’s proposed 4% to give a headline figure of 9% over two years. However, NAHT Cymru has criticised this approach, saying it creates a “false impression” and does not reflect the pay pressures currently facing the profession.
“For over a decade we have been campaigning for pay restoration,” Ms Doel said. “Years of below-inflation and partly funded pay awards have left teachers and leaders significantly behind other graduate professions—up to 20% behind where pay would be if it had kept pace with inflation.”
The union has also questioned what the government means by describing the pay award as “fully funded,” warning that in the past, similar claims have led to confusion and inconsistent levels of support for schools.
“Leaders will be forced to make incredibly difficult decisions about how to balance the books,” she said. “That could mean cutting support, reducing resources, or not replacing staff—actions that ultimately harm pupils’ education and undermine the goal of improving standards.”
Ms Doel also accused ministers of placing school leaders in an unfair position: “They shouldn’t be expected to choose between providing for their learners and being paid what they are owed. Other professions are not made to feel guilty in this way, and leaders should not be either.”
NAHT Cymru has confirmed it will consult its members on the offer but warned it has no intention of recommending a deal that it believes will worsen the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said the proposed award reflects “the financial constraints facing the public sector” and noted that discussions with unions are ongoing.
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