News
Stay at home, urges Pembrokeshire County Council

OFFICERS leading Pembrokeshire’s response to Covid-19 are urging everyone to stay home unless absolutely necessary.
It follows news that positive cases in Pembrokeshire increased by more than 30% in the week ending 7th January.
The county recorded 316 new positive tests for the virus from 1st to 7th January.
This compares to 240 new positive tests in Pembrokeshire during the previous week.
“This is a really difficult time in the pandemic and Pembrokeshire is not immune,” said Darren Thomas, helping to lead the Covid-19 response at Pembrokeshire County Council.
“We are working hard to try and help keep people safe, and work with our partners to roll out the biggest vaccination programme we have ever seen.
“But I cannot stress enough: The virus is active within our communities and Covid positive rates are increasing.
“Do not mix with others – even outdoors – and do not go anywhere unnecessarily. Please stay at home.”
He said the Council are very concerned that some people may still be going about their day-to-day lives as if nothing was happening.
“We are very aware this situation will be frustrating and worrying to many people, but the choice is a grim one. This virus is a killer. It can kill you, your family and your friends.
“But if you stay at home, you remove the risk. Please follow the rules.”
The Leader of the Council, Cllr David Simpson, thanked everyone in Pembrokeshire who are diligently following the rules.
“We’re really grateful to you,” he said. “You are making a difference. Thank you.”
But, he said, some people’s behaviour needed to change.
“Please phone your friends and family instead of visiting them. Please shop less frequently.
“Start and end your exercise from your home – do not drive to do exercise or visit local beauty spots. They will still be here for you once we’re out of lockdown.”
Cllr Simpson added: “It is already an extremely stressful time for the doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff in Pembrokeshire.
“Please do not be the cause of someone ending up in critical care at Withybush Hospital. Please don’t be the cause of a family losing a loved one.
“We cannot over-emphasise this message: Stay at home.”
The Council’s message is in line with the Welsh Government, whose rules under the current Alert Level 4 are as follows:
Only go out to:
- Shop for essentials
- Work, if you can’t from home
- Exercise locally – but do not drive to exercise
But remember to:
- Keep 2m distance
- Wash hands
- Wear a mask, where needed
If you are shielding, self-isolating or just need some help, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Community Hub is there for you. Staff can help with shopping, collecting prescriptions, having a supportive chat on the phone, signposting you to other helpful organisations, and more.
Cllr Tessa Hodgson, Cabinet member for Social Services, said: “We understand that these are unsettling times for many people but my message is simple: please don’t be afraid to ask for help.
“The Hub was specifically set up to help Pembrokeshire people throughout the pandemic and the staff are ready and waiting to do what they can to support you through these difficult times.”
For those who are online, the web pages contain some useful information, including a directory of community support: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/communityhub
The Hub can be contacted on 01437 776301 or emailing communitycovid19@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
At present the Community Hub’s hours are Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.
Business
Thousands discover they qualify for extra financial support

THOUSANDS of people on low incomes across Wales have secured an extra £170m by claiming benefits they didn’t know they were entitled to, thanks to free Welsh Government advice services.
The Claim What’s Yours helpline connects people with friendly advisers who help cut through the confusion of the benefits system. For many who call, including working families, new parents and pensioners, it’s their first time claiming benefits, with many surprised to learn they qualify for financial help.
With around £2bn in benefits going unclaimed in Wales each year; the Single Advice Fund and Claim What’s Yours services have helped 361,000 people to deal with their social welfare problems and to claim £170m of benefits they were entitled to, and write off £49.1m in debts from January 2020 to December 2024.
The services have seen growing demand, with advisers handling over 6,500 calls in the past six months alone – showing how valued the service has become.
Colette Smith, Advice Project Worker at Citizens Advice Rhondda Cynon Taf, has helped hundreds of callers navigate the benefits system. She said: “Every day I speak to people who are genuinely struggling but have no idea they’re entitled to extra support. I recently took a call from a person who was really struggling to make ends meet, on the call I identified that the person was able to claim Pension Credits which meant they were entitled to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction. We helped the client to make the claims and they felt so much better and could now see a way forward.”
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, said: “With billions in benefits going unclaimed each year, it’s clear that too many people don’t know that they are eligible for support. When someone successfully claims pension credit, carer’s allowance or other benefits they’re entitled to, it can mean the difference between struggling and stability, and helps reduce stress and improve their wellbeing.
“The service provides friendly, professional and confidential advice and could make a significant difference to your household budget. If you’re unsure whether you qualify for support, I encourage you to make that phone call and find out what help might be available to you.”
Anyone wanting free, confidential advice can call Advicelink Cymru’s Claim What’s Yours helpline on 0808 250 5700 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. Calls are welcomed in English or Welsh, and help is available for those who cannot hear or speak on the phone through the Relay UK service
Health
Ambulance delays linked to patient deaths, as local tragedy highlights crisis

PARAMEDICS across the UK are warning that patients are dying because ambulances are unable to offload them into overcrowded A&E departments — a situation tragically echoed in the death of a Pembrokeshire mother whose ambulance never arrived.
Charlotte Burston, 40, from Llanteg, began experiencing severe chest pains on Christmas Day 2023. Her teenage daughter called 999 twice, but was told it would be an hour and a half before help could arrive.
No ambulance was dispatched in time, not because of a lack of willingness, but because so many vehicles were already stuck in hospital bays, unable to hand over patients due to chronic delays and lack of space inside emergency departments.
With no other option, Charlotte’s stepfather drove her towards Withybush Hospital. She suffered a heart attack on the way and later died at Morriston Hospital on New Year’s Eve.
An expert report presented at a recent pre-inquest hearing concluded that had ambulance staff been present at her home, she would “on the balance of probabilities” have survived.
The case comes as a new report by Unison highlights the scale of the crisis facing ambulance services. A survey of almost 600 ambulance workers found that two-thirds had witnessed patients deteriorate during prolonged waits outside hospitals, and one in 20 had seen patients die in their care due to delays in handover.
More than half of respondents reported delays of over six hours, and one in seven had waited 12 hours or more outside emergency departments.
Unison General Secretary Christina McAnea said: “Ambulance workers want the best for their patients. But this is no longer the reality. Ambulances and hospital corridors have become makeshift treatment rooms. The pressure on the NHS is unsustainable.”
Unison is calling for urgent action to increase staffing levels across ambulance, hospital and community services, improve GP access, and expand social care capacity to free up hospital beds.
Pembrokeshire Coroner Mark Layton, who is overseeing the Burston inquest, said that had the 999 call been prioritised properly, paramedics would have been sent and the tragic outcome may have been avoided.
News
Former Welsh Secretary awarded peerage in Sunak’s resignation honours

Carmarthenshire politician among those elevated to House of Lords
FORMER Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP Simon Hart has been appointed to the House of Lords in Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours list.
Mr Hart, who previously served as Secretary of State for Wales under Boris Johnson and later as Chief Whip for Mr Sunak, lost his seat at the general election in July 2024. The Conservatives were wiped out in Wales during that election.
Several other former ministers were also recognised. Michael Gove, who served as education secretary and housing secretary under different administrations, was granted a peerage. He is currently editor of The Spectator magazine.
Knighthoods were awarded to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, former foreign secretary James Cleverly, former defence secretary Grant Shapps, and former work and pensions secretary Mel Stride.
Outside politics, former England cricketer James Anderson was knighted after retiring from Test cricket in July. He holds the record for most wickets by a fast bowler in Test history.
Filmmaker Matthew Vaughn also received a knighthood for services to the creative industries. His credits include Layer Cake, Kick-Ass, X-Men: First Class, and the Kingsman films.
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