CLAIRE ARCHIBALD MS has challenged the First Minister over pressures facing rural social care in west Wales, warning that families in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion are being left without the support they need.

The Reform UK Member of the Senedd for Ceredigion Penfro raised the issue during First Minister’s Questions, saying reductions in the clinical role of rural hospitals had not been matched by proper investment in community care.

Ms Archibald, who has previously worked as a carer, said the impact was being felt by patients stuck in hospital, families struggling to secure support, and people unable to spend their final days at home.

She told the Senedd: “Across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, Labour has reduced the clinical role in our rural hospitals, but the community care to fill the gap has simply not been put in place.

“The results are delayed discharges, families left struggling, and many people denied the chance to spend their final days at home with their loved ones.

“We have providers across west Wales handing back contracts, refusing referrals and shelving expansion because they cannot recruit the workforce.

“So, after 26 years of Labour-led government supported by your party, isn’t it the truth that rural social care has been neglected and left to pick up the pieces?

“What concrete action will your government take to restore front-line social care in west Wales?”

Following the exchange, Ms Archibald said the issue was not simply about policy, but about real families being placed in impossible situations.

She said: “I have seen first-hand how important good care is, both for the person who needs support and for the family around them.

“When community care is not there, people stay in hospital longer than they need to, families are left fighting for help, and people lose the chance to be cared for at home.

“This is especially serious in rural areas like Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, where distance, workforce shortages and reduced local services all make the pressure worse.

“For too long, rural social care has been left to carry the burden while services are taken away elsewhere.

“People in west Wales deserve better than warm words. They need clear action, proper workforce planning, and front-line care that actually reaches them.”

Ms Archibald said she would continue pressing the Welsh Government on delayed discharges, care package shortages, workforce pressures and the need to protect services in rural communities.

ALL FOUR Plaid Cymru MPs have been criticised after signing a Westminster motion opposing the UK Government’s draft Equality Act Code of Practice on services, public functions and associations.

The motion, tabled on Monday (Jun 1), calls for the draft Code to be disapproved. It has been signed by 95 MPs, including Labour, Liberal Democrat, SNP, Green and Plaid Cymru members.

Plaid’s four MPs — Liz Saville Roberts, Ben Lake, Llinos Medi and Ann Davies — all added their names on Wednesday (Jun 3).

The draft Code was laid before Parliament on May 21 following the Supreme Court judgment on the meaning of sex in the Equality Act. The Equality and Human Rights Commission says the updated guidance is intended to help service providers, public bodies and associations understand how to comply with equality law.

The Code covers all protected characteristics, but the most politically sensitive part concerns single-sex and separate-sex services, including facilities such as hospital wards, changing rooms, toilets and domestic abuse services.

Supporters of the Code say it gives legal clarity for women-only spaces and reflects the Supreme Court ruling. Critics argue it risks excluding trans people from services and could create uncertainty for organisations trying to balance competing rights.

Natasha Asghar MS, Welsh Conservative Member of the Senedd for Casnewydd Islwyn, said Plaid Cymru must explain its position to women in Wales.

She said: “Women in Wales deserve clarity, dignity and safety. That means having the right to single-sex spaces enshrined and protected in law.

“Plaid needs to explain why they are siding against women-only spaces. These are not legal technicalities. They are refuges for domestic abuse survivors, hospital wards and changing rooms. Real spaces where real women have a right to privacy and safety.”

However, the motion signed by Plaid MPs does not itself remove any legal protection. It is an Early Day Motion calling for Parliament to reject the draft Code before it comes into force.

The Code remains subject to parliamentary scrutiny. If it is not disapproved within the required period, the UK Government will set a date for it to come into effect.

NEWLY elected Reform Wales Senedd Member Cai Parry-Jones has called on Cardiff Council to return more roads in the city to 30mph.

Mr Parry-Jones, who represents Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf, has written to Cllr Dan De’Ath, Cardiff Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning and Transport, asking for an urgent update on previously announced changes.

Cardiff Council confirmed last year that four major roads would revert from 20mph to 30mph following a review of the Welsh Government’s default 20mph policy.

However, Mr Parry-Jones said only one of those roads has so far changed back, with Hadfield Road, Ocean Way and Western Avenue remaining at 20mph.

In his letter, he said: “I regard this situation as wholly unacceptable. I would therefore like to ask you to provide an urgent update on the status of these changes, and give a date residents can expect the roads to return to 30mph.”

The Reform MS also asked the council to consider further changes on Excalibur Drive, Caerphilly Road and Cyncoed Road, saying all three received significant public support during the consultation process.

Cardiff Council’s technical review considered 192 roads across the city as part of the process.

The Welsh Government has said 20mph remains the default speed limit on restricted roads, but local authorities have discretion to decide which roads are more suitable for 30mph.

Mr Parry-Jones said: “The people who elected me voted for a manifesto that explicitly said the default 20mph speed limit should be scrapped, and I wouldn’t be doing my job properly if I didn’t represent their views.

“It’s clearly not right that after a review of nearly 200 roads in our city, only one has changed back to 30mph.

“I look forward to having constructive discussions with Cardiff Council and Welsh Government ministers on this issue.”

Pic: Cai Parry-Jones MS on Cyncoed Road.