SAMUEL KURTZ, Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, has pressed First Minister Eluned Morgan on how the Welsh Government plans to meet the skilled employment demands of emerging industries and technologies.

Speaking in the Senedd, Kurtz emphasised Pembrokeshire’s strong industrial heritage and the continued importance of the hydrocarbon sector, including Valero oil refinery and RWE power station. He highlighted new opportunities arising from the Celtic Freeport and potential investment in Floating Off-Shore Wind, which could bring renewed prosperity to the region.

Following the plenary session, Kurtz said: “Pembrokeshire is home to a diverse mix of established and emerging industries, and it is vital that our workforce has the flexibility to transition into the jobs of the future.

“Businesses understand their needs better than anyone, so the Welsh Government must engage directly with the industries that will be creating these opportunities.

“It is unacceptable that the Welsh Labour Government has yet to present a clear plan to support workers in traditional industries should they wish to reskill. Their slow response is damaging investment, harming businesses, and failing those whose future careers depend on decisive action.”

A PETITION calling on the Welsh Government to reconsider its stance on an Autism Bill has gained the backing of local Senedd Member Paul Davies.

Campaigners are urging a fresh debate on autism legislation, arguing that many individuals still struggle to access essential services and support. Mr Davies previously introduced an Autism Bill in 2019, but it was voted down by Welsh Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

Mr Davies said: “People with autism have waited long enough, and I’m pleased to see this matter back on the political agenda. An Autism Bill would ensure that a national autism strategy for Wales becomes a statutory requirement, guaranteeing the services available to people with autism are enshrined in law. This provides accountability and sends a strong message that Wales is committed to ensuring high-quality, accessible services for autistic individuals.”

He added: “I wholeheartedly support Mr Grennan’s petition and urge the Welsh Government to seriously reconsider the case for autism legislation. Urgent action is needed now to help people with autism receive the support they need.”

A TEACHER injured by a knife-wielding pupil during a stabbing at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford thought, “Oh God, this could be it,” as she struggled to restrain the attacker, a court has heard.

Two teachers and a Year 10 pupil were injured in the incident, which took place on April 24, 2024.

A 14-year-old girl has admitted three counts of wounding with intent and possessing a bladed article on school premises but denies three counts of attempted murder.

Giving video evidence at Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Jan 28), teacher Fiona Elias described the moment she confronted the teenage attacker.

Ms Elias said she had told the defendant she could not remain in a lower school hall on the day of the attack. She recalled how the pupil had “menacingly” stared at her while playing with an object in her pocket.

“I asked her to stop staring at me and what was in her pocket,” Ms Elias said in her police interview.

“She said, ‘Do you want to see what’s in my pocket?’ She pulled out a knife and said, ‘I’m going to kill you,’ then started stabbing me.”

‘She had completely lost it’

The jury heard Ms Elias suffered injuries to her shoulder, bicep, and hand.

“I tried to restrain her. I remember holding her arms, and she was pulling away. She had completely lost it, and the red mist had come down,” she said.

“She was trying to stab me in all sorts of places, and she got me in four places. I did not pass out or anything—I just remember thinking, ‘Oh God, this could be it.’”

She described the knife as a pen knife with a silver blade.

Ms Elias and fellow teacher Liz Hopkin shouted for help as they grappled with the attacker.

Ms Hopkin was stabbed in the neck. In her recorded evidence played to the court, she recalled: “She came towards me face on and stabbed me in the neck. I thought, ‘S**t, this is it.’

“I was just shouting, ‘Help, get help.’ I thought, ‘If I let go, people are going to get hurt.’”

Ms Hopkin was airlifted from the school for treatment, while Ms Elias was taken to Morriston Hospital in Swansea.

‘One way to be a celebrity’

Earlier, the court heard how the defendant had stabbed a fellow pupil multiple times before being disarmed by male members of staff.

During the prosecution’s opening remarks, the jury was told the teenage girl made a chilling comment to Dyfed-Powys Police officers as she was escorted from the school.

“I’m pretty sure this is going to be on the news, so more eyes are going to be looking at me—that’s one way to be a celebrity,” she reportedly said.

The 14-year-old girl denies three counts of attempted murder.

The case continues.