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Local MP reveals Brussels discussions

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STEPHEN CRABB has visited Brussels as part of the Commons Brexit Committee, and warned that there is ‘near zero appetite’ in the European Union for renegotiating the withdrawal agreement.

After Prime Minister Theresa May’s deal was rejected by the House of Commons, many MPs voted to request changes. The Prime Minister hopes to secure amendments to the deal that had been agreed in November last year, but the EU maintains that it has already negotiated a deal and that it won’t do so again. Stephen Crabb, MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire, travelled to Brussels as part of the Commons Brexit committee.

On his way back, Mr Crabb sent out several tweets, detailing his thoughts regarding the ongoing discussions between the UK and EU.

He said: “Near zero appetite around Brussels for reopening Withdrawal Agreement. Support for Backstop and Irish Gov v solid. For EU, it’s not just a question of Good Friday Agreement. Concerns over an open backdoor into single market.

“Real exasperation & frustration about what EU says were contradictory votes by MPs. Do not regard Brady amendment majority as stable. Little sign that the amendment has created a new dynamic in Brussels thus far.

“Our committee did an effective job in demonstrating to our guests the spread of views in the Commons and lack of consensus on way forward.

“Unlike the Withdrawal Agreement, we heard repeatedly that there is scope for reopening text of Political Declaration to provide greater clarity & certainty on the new relationship rather than vague aspirations and optionality.

“’A more ambitious political declaration’ is key phrase. Backstop won’t disappear from WA however. But a PD that pivots to closer longterm UK-EU relationship will solve a lot of the perceived problem.

“Even if (big if) some eventual movement on WA to provide greater comfort and build trust, unlikely to be enough to get through Commons.”

Mr Crabb also mentioned the ‘Malthouse Compromise’ – named after housing minister Kit Malthouse, who encouraged talks between different groups of MPs. Engineered by both Leave and Remain supporters, the compromise suggests extending the transition period for a year until the end of 2021 and protecting EU citizens’ rights, instead of using the backstop.

Mr Crabb continued: “Regarding Malthouse Compromise, no one seriously entertaining this yet it seems.

“Lots of discussion about potential delay to Brexit. But big question is for what purpose. They want more than just more process. Need clear path forward and that requires a stable Commons majority for a deal.

“No great revelations today. Difficult few weeks ahead I suspect as we go round the mountain again with little sign of a way forward.

“I still think the original deal or something v similar is most likely outcome compared to other current options. But will be very late in day and under a cloud of pol and econ [political and economic] crisis.”

News

Waspi campaigners threaten legal action over pension compensation

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Government refuses to pay £10bn to women affected by pension age rise

CAMPAIGNERS fighting for compensation over changes to the state pension age have threatened the government with legal action after ministers ruled out a £10bn payout to those affected.

The Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) group has sent a “letter before action” to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), warning of high court proceedings if the matter is not resolved.

The dispute stems from changes that saw the state pension age for women born in the 1950s gradually raised to match men’s retirement age. The parliamentary and health service ombudsman ruled last March that these changes had not been properly communicated and recommended compensation. However, in December, the government announced that no payments would be made.

Labour leader Keir Starmer previously acknowledged concerns but defended the decision, stating: “Ninety per cent of those impacted did know about the change – and in those circumstances, the taxpayer simply can’t afford the burden of tens of billions of pounds of compensation.”

Angela Madden, chair of the Waspi campaign, accused the DWP of “gaslighting” those affected. She said: “The government has accepted that 1950s-born women are victims of maladministration, but it now says none of us suffered any injustice. We believe this is not only an outrage but legally wrong.

“We have been successful before, and we are confident we will be again. But what would be better for everyone is if the secretary of state now saw sense and came to the table to sort out a compensation package.”

Campaign gathers political backing

The campaign has previously been backed by key Labour figures, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, when the party was in opposition.

Around 3.6 million women in the UK were affected by the pension changes, first announced in 1995 and later accelerated in 2011 under the coalition government. Many have claimed they were left in financial hardship, forcing them to rethink their retirement plans.

Labour MP Brian Leishman was among those calling for action, warning that if the party did not deliver “improved living standards,” the next UK government could be a “hardline far-right effort.”

Government stands firm

A government spokesperson said: “We accept the ombudsman’s finding of maladministration and have apologised for the 28-month delay in writing to 1950s-born women.

“However, evidence showed only one in four people remember reading and receiving letters they weren’t expecting, and by 2006, 90% of 1950s-born women knew the state pension age was changing. Earlier letters wouldn’t have affected this. For these and other reasons, the government cannot justify paying for a £10.5bn compensation scheme at the expense of the taxpayer.”

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Health

Delays in ambulance response ‘likely led to mother’s death’

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A PRE-INQUEST review has heard that a Pembrokeshire mother would likely have survived had ambulance personnel arrived in time.

Charlotte Burston, 40, from Llanteg, fell ill with chest pains on Christmas Day 2023. Her teenage daughter called 999 twice, but an ambulance was delayed by over an hour and a half. With no medical help available, her stepfather, Brian Lye, drove her towards Withybush Hospital.

Tragically, she suffered a heart attack at Robeston Wathen and later died at Morriston Hospital on New Year’s Eve.

The Welsh Ambulance Service Trust (WAST) previously admitted an “error in allocation” regarding the emergency calls. A report presented at today’s hearing concluded that had a paramedic been present, a defibrillator could have been used, and Ms Burston would, on the balance of probabilities, have survived.

At the hearing on Friday (Feb 21) Pembrokeshire Coroner Mark Layton said: “Had the call been preferentially allocated, this would have led to somebody being sent to the address, and the allocation of such a person, on the balance of probabilities, would have altered the tragic outcome.”

A full inquest, expected to last a day, will take place in late spring or early summer.

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Business

New creative space aims to help revitalise Haverfordwest town centre

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A FRESH initiative is bringing a creative spark to Haverfordwest’s high street, with the opening of a new shared studio space designed to support local artists and breathe life into empty shops.

Breakout Gallery, led by Arthur Brooker, officially opened its doors to the public on Friday, February 14, offering both a workspace and a platform for artists to showcase their work.

Arthur, who has been running Breakout Gallery for nearly a decade, has shifted the focus of the business in response to changing times.

“We initially specialised in selling artwork on commission,” Arthur explained. “But after COVID and the cost-of-living crisis, we needed to rethink our approach. Now, our main goal is to help regenerate Haverfordwest by transforming vacant retail spaces into hubs of creativity.”

The gallery has been redesigned to include individual studio units, allowing artists to rent space to create and exhibit their work.

Beyond the studio, Breakout Gallery is well known for its street exhibitions, which add a vibrant touch to local festivals and events. The team also rents out event decorations and manages a space at Westival.

Arthur is now setting his sights on further expansion. “There’s so much potential in Haverfordwest,” he said. “We’re already exploring another premises to offer even more creative space. It’s all about revitalising the town, one shop at a time.”

In addition to providing studio space, the gallery hosts exhibitions and events, with the next major showcase, Heartbreak Hotel by Harriet Davis, set to open on Friday, February 28. Life drawing and oil painting classes are also being introduced to further engage the local artistic community.

A former director at Haverhub, Arthur is passionate about bringing more artists into the fold and ensuring that Haverfordwest becomes a thriving creative hub.

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