THE WELSH GOVERNMENT’S childcare scheme has been criticised by a local politician failing to help vulnerable parents.

Speaking in the Senedd on Tuesday, Mid and West Wales MS Jane Dodds  accused the Welsh Government of “missing the mark” on childcare costs and claimed that their current offer “disadvantages our most vulnerable.”

According to statistics from the Bevan Foundation, around 190,000 children in Wales are currently living in relative income poverty.  And more than half of those children live in a family where there is at least one child between the ages of 0 and four years-old.

Another report from Oxfam Cymru revealed that 92% of parents felt as though they could not afford to pay for childcare fees.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have now called on the Welsh Government to commit towards a universal childcare system for families across Wales.

The party claims that by helping to lower childcare costs, more parents will be able to return back to work to help better provide for their children.

Commenting on the need for affordable and accessible childcare services, Mid and West Wales MS Jane Dodds  said that “It should be obvious that by cutting down on childcare costs, we can move towards eradicating child poverty.”

Across Wales thousands of parents are being forced to decide between paying extortionate childcare fees or leaving work to look after their children themselves. And regardless of what decision they make, these parents and their families are still left financially worse off.

The Welsh Government’s current childcare scheme misses the mark completely, instead of relieving pressures on parents, they are closing the door on them.

Current eligibility rules mean that our most vulnerable are left disadvantages, while those who do qualify are often unable to access support due to a lack of availability.

Pumping more money into a childcare offer that doesn’t work isn’t the answer and it’s time the Welsh Government realised this.

What we need is a universal healthcare system that works for every family here in Wales, a system that ensures that every parent is able to access affordable childcare services when and where needed.”

THE FUTURE of Cardigan’s well-used and much-loved Memorial Pool remains uncertain, with Ceredigion County Council unable to guarantee its inclusion in the proposed new wellbeing centre earmarked for the same site.

The pool, which served the community for over four decades, closed in March last year despite widespread local fundraising efforts. Trustees cited soaring energy costs, falling income, and substantial maintenance and repair expenses as reasons for its closure.

Since then, children have been forced to travel to Newcastle Emlyn, Crymych, or Llandysul for swimming lessons, while adults who relied on the hydrotherapy pool to manage arthritis and other chronic conditions have seen their health deteriorate.

The closure has also dealt a blow to Cardigan Swimming Club, which previously had 50 junior members, and Poppit Sands Surf Lifesaving Club, whose winter training depended on the pool. Concerns are mounting that the lack of local swimming facilities will prevent children from reaching the standards needed for sea-based training, undermining water safety in a coastal town known for its busy beaches.

Residents have taken to social media to express their anger and disappointment at the council’s inaction. One resident wrote: “How can a coastal town like Cardigan not have a swimming pool? Teaching children to swim is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. The council needs to wake up and prioritise our safety.”

Another frustrated parent said: “My son used to swim at the Memorial Pool every week. Now we’re travelling an hour for lessons. It’s exhausting and expensive. Why are families being left to pick up the pieces?”

Local campaigner Bethan Jones added: “The council’s lack of clarity is deeply worrying. We’ve heard nothing but vague promises and silence. The wellbeing centre sounds great, but it’s meaningless if a pool isn’t included.”

The council recently announced plans to develop a new wellbeing centre on the pool site, chosen over three other potential locations. The facility is set to accommodate Hywel Dda University Health Board services and other community health provisions. However, it remains unclear whether a swimming pool will form part of the plans.

A council spokesperson said: “The business case for the wellbeing centre is currently being developed. This work will identify the services that could be delivered at the centre and the facility mix required to accommodate them. At present, no decision has been made on what will and won’t be included.”

Despite repeated calls from the community for clarity, the council added that it is “unable to comment further at this time.”

With so much at stake for the health, safety, and wellbeing of local residents, the future of Cardigan’s much-missed Memorial Pool hangs in the balance. For now, the voices of concerned residents continue to grow louder, demanding answers and action from those in charge.

Exactly two years ago, The Memorial Swimming Pool and Hall have received a Capital Grant to undertake much needed renovation work.

The Sport Wales Capital Grant of £207,000 from Welsh Government was secured by Ceredigion County Council to fund essential capital works at Cardigan Memorial Swimming Pool and Hall.

The grant enabled the Swimming Pool to upgrade its Pool Plant Equipment and Air Handling Unit, insulate the roof above the toddler pool and purchase new Pool covers.

Matt Newland, Chairman of Cardigan Memorial Swimming Pool and Hall Trustees, said at the time: “The swimming pool and hall trustees are delighted to announce that we have received a grant from Sports Wales to carry out much needed works to the pool to enable it to continue running. The trustees would like to thank Ceredigion County Council for their assistance and support. Cardigan Swimming pool and hall is run by the trustees committee for the benefit of the community. It is an essential resource and this grant will help secure our future.”

THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS have renewed calls for the Crown Estate to be devolved to Wales during a debate on the Crown Estate Bill in the House of Commons today.

Welsh Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick urged that Wales be treated equally to Scotland, where the Crown Estate has already been devolved, arguing that Wales deserves the same economic benefits.

This follows a previous attempt by the Liberal Democrats to amend the Bill in the House of Lords before Christmas, which was voted down by Labour.

It is estimated that the Crown Estate will generate at least £1 billion in profit from offshore wind energy lease agreements in Welsh waters over the coming years.

David Chadwick MP said: “It is unacceptable that Wales continues to be treated as a lesser nation to Scotland when it comes to the devolution of powers.

“Labour promised change after the General Election, yet they seem intent on maintaining the status quo and depriving Wales of key tools to boost our economic success.

“If the income raised from renewables owned by the Crown Estate stayed in Wales, it would be of huge benefit to our local communities.

“The Liberal Democrats will continue to push Labour to change their mind on this issue as the Bill progresses through Parliament.”