THREE Welsh citizens are reported to be among hundreds of activists detained after Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in the eastern Mediterranean.

UK Global Sumud said Christopher Hill, Hannah Sharpey-Shafer and Richard Johan Anderson were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge Israel’s naval blockade.

Organisers said more than 50 boats were intercepted and around 428 participants were detained. Reuters reported that Israeli naval forces stopped the flotilla, transferred activists to Ashdod port and then to Ketziot prison in southern Israel. Israel said the group was trying to breach its blockade and would be given consular access.

Cal Rosie, head of press for UK Global Sumud, said the Welsh participants had been “taken against their will” and that supporters were “extremely concerned” about their welfare.

She said: “Christopher Hill, Hannah Sharpey-Shafer, and Richard Johan Anderson were attempting to bring life-saving aid to Gaza and break the illegal Israeli siege when the entire flotilla of more than 50 boats was attacked and all participants were detained and taken against their will to Israel.

“We have received extremely distressing videos and images of the conditions the participants are being kept in and the brutal treatment they are receiving, and we are incredibly concerned for Chris, Hannie, and Richard.”

The group is calling for urgent UK Government and Foreign Office intervention to secure the release and safe return of British citizens involved in the flotilla.

The Herald has contacted the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for comment.

Accountancy body says its members can help support economic growth across Wales

ACCA CYMRU/WALES has congratulated Plaid Cymru on forming the new Welsh Government and Rhun ap Iorwerth on his appointment as First Minister.

The accountancy body said it hoped to work with ministers to support economic growth, improve productivity and help businesses meet Wales’ climate ambitions.

In its pre-election policy asks, ACCA Cymru/Wales called for action to address skills shortages, attract new businesses and increase productivity through expanded apprenticeships and funded short courses.

It also said employers should have a stronger voice at national and regional level.

The organisation has urged the new Welsh Government to create a stronger economy through business support, access to funding, engagement with key business advisers and efforts to minimise costs and regulation.

ACCA Cymru/Wales also called for improvements in public finance, including multi-year funding and better support for finance professionals.

It said ministers should develop a clear route map to help businesses, especially SMEs, take further action to meet Wales’ climate targets.

Lloyd Powell, head of ACCA Cymru/Wales, said: “In Wales, ACCA has a thriving community of over 6,400 members and students working in all sectors of the economy and in all parts of the country, supporting businesses and organisations of all sizes.

“We hope that our expertise, insights and research can support the work of the new government to grow the economy of Wales and build a better Wales.”

Pictured: Lloyd Powell, head of ACCA Cymru/Wales

WELSH GOVERNMENT says it will phase in 20 hours of funded childcare a week for children aged nine months to four years

THE FIRST Minister and Deputy First Minister have set out plans for what they say will be the most generous childcare offer since devolution.

Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sioned Williams visited Cwm Golau Integrated Children’s Centre in Pentrebach, Merthyr Tydfil, today (Wednesday, May 20), in their first visit as leaders of the Welsh Government.

The Welsh Government says it aims to deliver 20 hours of funded childcare per week, for 48 weeks a year, for all children aged between nine months and four years.

Ministers say the offer will be phased in over the Senedd term and will be the most generous in the UK during the first four years of a child’s life.

Welsh language childcare provision is also set to be expanded, with the government saying every child should have a fair opportunity to learn and enjoy Cymraeg.

The First Minister said: “Childcare costs in Wales are among the highest in the UK. We want to put money back into families’ pockets and support parents back into work.

“Our ambitious and transformational childcare offer will be the most generous in the history of devolution, and the most generous in the UK, helping boost household incomes, lift families out of poverty and give children the best start in life.”

The Deputy First Minister, whose responsibilities include childcare policy, said many families were struggling with the cost of nursery places and early years care.

She said: “Thousands of parents in Wales are working solely to cover the cost of childcare, and many cannot afford it at all. This needs to change.

“Access to affordable childcare unlocks opportunities and gives parents, especially mothers, the freedom to return to work, education or training. And most importantly, our expanded offer of high-quality childcare will give every child the head-start they need to thrive.”

The Welsh Government says further details on how the scheme will be phased in will be announced during the Senedd term.

Meanwhile, Welsh Labour’s spokesperson for Children, Education, and Lifelong Learning, Lynne Neagle MS said: “We all want to see a fantastic childcare offer for families in Wales. But in government, you must balance priorities and budgets. Wales is right to expect serious government from the Senedd. And serious government means being honest, being clear, and showing the sums.

“Will it be the schools budget that is cut to fund childcare? Will it be healthcare?”

Plaid Cymru have also repeatedly called for ‘reprioritising’ of the child poverty budget that the Welsh Labour Government had designated.

This includes measures such as universal free school meals for primary school students, free or subsidised milk in schools, the baby bundles programme and our Flying Start scheme which provided free childcare to most 3 and 4 year olds.

Lynne Neagle added: “Welsh Labour worked incredibly hard in government to tackle child poverty. I think all in the Senedd would be united in saying we want to see child poverty eradicated. But when Plaid Cymru talks about ‘reprioritising’, this often means cuts. So once again, I’m calling on Plaid to be honest – what is being cut from the child poverty budget? Which families are going to be affected? The people of Wales have a right to know now.”

Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Minister for Education, Families and Constitution, Sam Rowlands MS said: “Improving childcare in Wales is important and can provide the support many parents need, but Plaid cannot roll out their flagship policy without being honest about how it will be funded.

“The Deputy First Minister’s comments in an ITV interview that Plaid have not yet begun planning how this will be fully delivered are extremely concerning.

“The Welsh Conservatives believe that any funding for this policy must not come from cuts to essential services. With Plaid already talking about diverting money away from health into sports and arts, it is deeply concerning that frontline services could be put at risk to fund their uncosted promises.”