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Crabb praises cost of living payments as charities say people still can’t make ends meet

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426, 000 families in Wales are set to receive a cash payment from July to ease cost of living financial pressures. Households will receive the first of two cost of living instalments totalling £650 from 14 July, part of the £1,200 support package this year.

After ministers confirmed initial payments would begin from 14 July, the Department for Work and Pensions has now revealed how many people in each part of the country will receive the new financial support. They have also revealed that the disability top-up will land in bank accounts in September.

In Preseli Pembrokeshire, 10,400 families are eligible for the means-tested payment, and 9,200 individuals are eligible for the disability payment.

Mr Crabb has been vocal since the very beginning of the cost of living crisis about the Government needing to offer further support for those on the lowest incomes. On Wednesday, he again spoke in the House of Commons chamber on this issue.

Commenting on the latest updates, Mr Crabb added: “I have long been calling for increased targeted support for those on the lowest incomes who have been hit hardest by the cost of living crisis. It is good to see that the Chancellor has listened and rolled out an unprecedented package of £37 billion.”

“These payments, which households will receive in two instalments, will provide necessary targeted and urgent support to those on the lowest incomes”.

At the same time, CAP’s Swansea Debt Centre Manager, Tony Quinn, says, “The reality for families on the lowest incomes across Wales is many of them just don’t have enough money coming in to be able to run their homes, buy the essentials, and feed themselves and their children.

“It’s incredibly sad but not surprising that this is leading to more people feeling anxious, depressed and suicidal.

“At Christians Against Poverty, through our free services, we can help people get out of debt, provide them with practical and emotional support, offer free budgeting courses, and job clubs to try and get them back into employment. This help often leads to people becoming debt free so they can move forward with their lives and have hope for the future.

“CAP is already partnering with hundreds of amazing churches to help run our services and the charity is looking to find more churches to work with in Wales so we can offer as much help as possible to local people who are struggling because of the cost of living crisis.”

Tony continued, “Many people still face destitution in the months ahead, prices are still rising and sadly this crisis is far from over.

“CAP’s report shows half of the people we are helping waited over a year before seeking free debt help, with a quarter waiting three years or more. It’s vital we raise awareness of the support available so people know they can get help from CAP or another free debt help charity if they’re struggling with their finances.”

 

Crime

Hakin man’s appeal delayed again as Crown Court seeks guidance on insurance law

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Judge gives CPS more time to review latest road traffic law guidance before case returns in March

A HAKIN man’s appeal against a conviction for driving without insurance has been delayed after a judge granted prosecutors additional time to review updated legal guidance.

Seventy-six-year-old Niall Taylor, of Haven Drive, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Jan 13) for a mention hearing in his case.

Taylor has accepted the finding that he drove otherwise than in accordance with a licence, but is challenging the separate conviction for using a vehicle without insurance.

The case relates to an incident on January 18, 2023, when he drove a Vauxhall Zafira along Hammond Avenue, Haverfordwest.

The matter has already followed an unusual procedural history. Taylor initially pleaded not guilty in the magistrates’ court but later changed his plea during the original trial. Questions were subsequently raised over whether that plea had been “equivocal”, leading the case to be reopened under Section 142 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 and reheard in full.

Following a trial of the facts, magistrates found him guilty and imposed sentence in December. Taylor has since lodged an appeal focused solely on the insurance offence.

During Tuesday’s hearing, His Honour Judge Walters granted the Crown Prosecution Service 28 days to review Wilkinson’s Road Traffic Offences (32nd Edition), the leading legal reference text used by courts in motoring cases.

Addressing the court, the judge said the matter may still require further consideration, adding: “The court still might want to reconsider the sentence even if the insurance company is right. It does look as if different insurance companies do things in different ways.”

He added: “It is not in fact void, but it is voidable.”

Taylor maintains that a valid insurance policy was in force at the time of driving and argues that, in law, third-party cover cannot simply be cancelled because of an administrative licensing issue.

The appeal is due to return to Swansea Crown Court on March 27, when further legal argument is expected.

 

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Business

Pub rate relief welcomed but closures still feared

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CAMRA warns one-year discount is only a sticking plaster as many Welsh locals face rising bills

A BUSINESS rates discount for Welsh pubs has been welcomed as a step in the right direction — but campaigners warn it will not be enough to stop more locals from shutting their doors.

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) says the Welsh Government’s decision to offer a 15 per cent reduction on business rates bills for the coming year will provide short-term breathing space for struggling publicans.

However, it believes the move fails to tackle deeper problems in the rating system that continue to pile pressure on community pubs across Wales, including in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

Chris Charters, Director of CAMRA Wales, said: “Today’s announcement from the Finance Secretary that pubs will get 15% discount on their business rates bills is a welcome step.

“However, many pubs still face big hikes in their bills due to the rates revaluation which could still lead to more of our locals in Wales being forced to close for good.

“15% off for a year is only the start of supporting pubs with business rates. It won’t fix the unfair business rates system our pubs are being crushed by.”

He added: “Welsh publicans need a permanent solution, or doors will continue to close and communities will be shut away from these essential social hubs that help tackle loneliness and isolation.”

Mounting pressure on locals

Under plans announced by the Welsh Government, pubs will receive a temporary discount on their rates bills for the next financial year.

But CAMRA argues that many premises are simultaneously facing sharp increases following the latest revaluation, which recalculates rateable values based on property size and trading potential.

For some smaller, rural venues, especially those already operating on tight margins, the increases could wipe out the benefit of the relief entirely.

Publicans say they are also contending with rising energy costs, higher wages, supplier price hikes and changing customer habits since the pandemic.

In west Wales, several long-standing village pubs have either reduced their opening hours or put their businesses on the market in the past year, with landlords warning that overheads are becoming unsustainable.

Community role

Campaigners stress that the issue goes beyond beer sales.

Pubs are often described as the last remaining social spaces in small communities — hosting charity events, sports teams, live music and local groups.

In parts of rural Pembrokeshire, a pub can be the only public meeting place left after the loss of shops, banks and post offices.

CAMRA says supermarkets and online retailers enjoy structural advantages that traditional pubs cannot match, making it harder for locals to compete on price.

The organisation is now calling on ministers to introduce a permanently lower business rates multiplier for pubs, rather than relying on short-term discounts.

Long-term reform call

CAMRA wants whoever forms the next Welsh administration to commit to fundamental reform of the rating system, arguing that pubs should be recognised as community assets rather than treated like large commercial premises.

Without change, it warns, the number of closures is likely to accelerate.

Charters said: “This is about protecting the future of our locals. Once a pub shuts, it rarely reopens. We can’t afford to lose any more.”

For many communities across west Wales, the fear is simple: temporary relief may buy time — but it may not be enough to save the local.

 

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Local Government

Council tax rise options to be debated by Cabinet

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Leader signals support for lower increase as schools set for £4.7m boost

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S Cabinet will next week consider how much residents will be asked to pay in Council Tax as part of the authority’s 2026–27 budget setting process.

Members of Pembrokeshire County Council will meet on Monday (Feb 9) to examine two proposed options: a 4.6 per cent increase, equivalent to £1.46 per week for a Band D property, or a 7.5 per cent rise, equal to £2.38 per week.

Council leader Jon Harvey said the authority aimed to keep any rise as low as possible while protecting frontline services.

“In setting this year’s budget it’s our intention to ask the least possible from tax paying residents while still providing the vital services they rely upon,” he said.

He added that he expects Cabinet to favour the lower increase when it makes its recommendation to full council.

Mr Harvey said the lower option would still allow the authority to safeguard services and provide “significantly more money” for schools, with an additional £4.7 million earmarked for education.

He also highlighted the need for further investment in highways, building maintenance and street cleaning teams.

“We know these services are important to residents and so we intend to prioritise them,” he said.

The leader said the financial pressures created by the pandemic, rising costs and increasing demand for social care had led to unavoidable tax increases in recent years.

However, he added: “Going forward, I am very aware we cannot keep asking residents to pay significantly more and it is our intention to get back to Council Tax increases that are broadly in line with inflation.”

The Cabinet meeting starts at 10:00am and will be broadcast live via the council’s usual webcast platform.

 

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