SCHOOL leaders have accused the Welsh Government of missing a major opportunity to support children with additional learning needs after ministers declined to ring-fence more than £500 million for ALN provision.

NAHT Cymru said more than 5,000 letters were sent to ministers in less than a week urging them to protect funding linked to increased Special Educational Needs and Disabilities spending in England.

The union said the money amounts to £322 million in 2026-27 and a further £197 million recurrently from 2028-29.

However, the Welsh Government has not agreed to allocate the full amount specifically to ALN, instead choosing to distribute resources across a range of priorities in its supplementary budget.

Funding pressure

NAHT Cymru, which represents school leaders across Wales, said the decision would disappoint schools already struggling with rising demand for support.

Laura Doel, National Secretary of NAHT Cymru, said: “We recognise the very real challenges facing Welsh Government and the difficult decisions ministers must make when allocating funding across public services.

“However, school leaders across Wales will be extremely disappointed that this funding has not been directed specifically to Additional Learning Needs provision, particularly given the scale of demand and the pressures currently facing schools and local authorities.

“The response over the past week has been remarkable. More than 5,000 people took the time to write directly to ministers to highlight the importance of this investment.”

The union said demand for ALN support had increased significantly in recent years, with costs more than doubling over the last decade.

It warned that without further investment, schools could face further pressure on staffing, including teachers and teaching assistants who deliver support to pupils.

Welsh Government position

The issue centres on consequential funding received by Wales following spending decisions in England.

While NAHT Cymru argues the money arose from SEND spending and should therefore be used for ALN in Wales, Welsh ministers are not required to spend Barnett consequential funding in the same policy area.

The union had called for the full funding to be allocated to ALN, passed to local authorities and schools, and ring-fenced so it could not be diverted to other areas.

Those calls have not been met.

Ms Doel added: “If education is a key priority for this government, it needs to demonstrate it through action not just warm words.”

VISITORS to Welsh beaches have been warned not to touch unusual blue sea creatures which have washed ashore along parts of the coastline.

Hundreds of velella velella, commonly known as by-the-wind sailors, have been reported on beaches in Anglesey, Gwynedd and Tenby.

The small, bright blue marine creatures are free-floating hydrozoans and are related to Portuguese man o’ war, sea anemones and corals.

They get their name from a small sail-like structure on their body, which catches the wind and carries them across the surface of the sea.

One was spotted on Tenby South Beach on Tuesday (Jun 16), where beachgoer Maxine Allinson described it as “fantastic” and “like a crystal”.

Marine experts say the creatures are often seen after changes in currents or stormy weather, which can push large numbers ashore at the same time.

Although they are much smaller and less dangerous than Portuguese man o’ war, they do have stinging cells.

Their sting is usually mild, but people are being advised not to pick them up, especially as contact with the face, lips or sensitive skin could cause pain or tingling.

Experts also warn that the stinging cells can remain active even after the creatures appear to be dead on the beach.

The advice is to admire them from a safe distance and leave them where they are.

Caption: Maxine Allinson spotted a velella velella on Tenby South beach Tuesday

HAVERFORDWEST residents will have the chance to raise ideas, concerns and local issues directly with the town’s mayor this week.

Cllr Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner will hold a Talk to Your Mayor session on Thursday, from 12:00pm until 2:00pm.

The initiative is aimed at giving residents an opportunity to speak directly with the mayor about matters affecting the town and wider community.

Cllr Thomas-Turner said communication and engagement were “vital”, adding that the session was about listening to local people, working together, and ensuring every voice had the opportunity to be heard.

Anyone wishing to book an appointment is asked to contact the Haverfordwest Town Council town clerk.

The mayor said: “Together, we can continue building a stronger and more connected community. Together we can make Haverfordwest the best in the west.”