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Government announces £100M budget deal

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One Million Pounds SterlingTHE WELSH Government this week announced a £100 million budget deal that seeks to break the link between poverty and educational attainment.
In a joint statement from Carwyn Jones, First Minister, Leanne Wood, Leader of Plaid Cymru, and Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, the budget was explained to The Herald,
“Two major challenges facing Wales will be addressed in the forthcoming Draft Welsh Government Budget, in an unprecedented £100m agreement between the Welsh Labour Government, Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Liberal Democrats.
‘’The commitment to break the link between poverty and educational attainment is reflected in this agreement, with a £35m boost to the Pupil Deprivation Grant which is acknowledged as a vitally important tool in achieving this goal.
‘’The announcement of £50m for an innovative new Intermediate Care Fund meets a major challenge of this Draft Budget. This fund will be used to bring about changes that need to be made to both health and social care in revenue and capital investment.
It will allow more co-ordinated and joined up care to be provided to support independent living and secure the best decision making for the lives of people, who need health, housing and social services”.
Commenting on the education aspect of the budget, William Powell, Welsh Liberal Democrat said: ‘’I am delighted to announce that schools in Pembrokeshire will be getting an extra £2,507,058 thanks to the Welsh Liberal Democrats who came to an agreement with the Welsh Labour Government that, in exchange for supporting the Welsh Government’s annual budget, schools will receive millions of pounds of extra investment through a ‘Pupil Deprivation Grant’ – a Welsh version of the ‘Pupil Premium’ in England.”
He continued: “The Welsh Liberal Democrats created this grant because we want to give every child a fairer start in life.Too often children from poorer backgrounds fall behind in school even at an early age. We want to put an end to this inequality.
‘’In doing so, we will be raising standards in our schools for all pupils across Wales. Helping poorer pupils was a key pledge in the Welsh Liberal Democrat’s 2011 manifesto. We appreciate how important education is to creating a fairer society. Sadly, schools in Wales have suffered from years of under-investment from the Welsh Labour Government. Today we are taking big steps to change that”.
Plaid Cymru Shadow Education Minister, Simon Thomas, praised the proposed budget deal with the Welsh Government: “This deal follows last year’s agreement between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government over apprenticeships. We are, yet again, prioritising skills and education this year. The £35m package to target the poorest pupils in our schools is welcome. Plaid Cymru is focusing on breaking the link between educational attainment and deprivation”.
Speaking on behalf of the Conservative Group on the Welsh Assembly, Paul Davies, AM for Preseli Pembrokeshire, said: “While we welcome any additional money for Welsh schools, at the moment too much of the Welsh Labour Government’s education budget is eaten up in local education authority bureaucracy and fails to reach the classroom.
‘’Welsh Conservatives would directly fund schools, which could improve the pupil-teacher ratio and increase the range of learning materials and IT equipment available in our classrooms to help young people achieve their potential.”

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Teenage girl dies after medical emergency at Welsh rugby club

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A TEENGAGE girl has tragically died following a medical emergency at Amman United Rugby Football Club in Ammanford on Friday evening (Nov 15).

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed they were called to the scene, where the teenager became unwell. She was taken to hospital but, despite advanced medical efforts, passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning.

A police spokesperson said: “Our thoughts remain with the family at this difficult time.” The death is currently being treated as unexplained, and a report will be prepared for HM Coroner.

The Welsh Ambulance Service confirmed their attendance, stating that emergency crews were dispatched at approximately 9:55pm.

A spokesperson said: “We sent an emergency ambulance, supported by a Community First Responder and Cymru High Acuity Response Unit paramedics. Advanced critical care was delivered by the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service, with support from the Wales Air Ambulance charity helicopter.”

As a mark of respect, Amman United Rugby Football Club postponed all games over the weekend. In a statement posted on social media platform X, the club said: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, the club will be closed, and all games are postponed, out of respect.”

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Inquest hears social media bullying was factor in teen’s tragic death

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MEGAN EVANS, 14, was found dead at her Milford Haven home on February 7, 2017, after what her family described as relentless online bullying. The inquest, held today, heard how Megan had attended a school meeting about a trip to France earlier that evening and appeared in good spirits.

Later that night, her parents left for Cardiff with her four youngest siblings while the four older siblings stayed at home. At 9:59pm, Megan’s brother called their parents, unable to find her in the house. His father told him to continue searching, and Megan was discovered in a locked upstairs bathroom. Despite the efforts of her family, paramedics, and hospital staff, Megan could not be saved.

A statement from her family described Megan as an intelligent, kind, and vibrant teenager. “She had a big heart and would do anything to help anyone,” the statement read. “She bought love and laughter into our home and was always full of energy. Her friends adored her, and she always stood up for what she believed in.”

The inquest was told Megan was a talented artist and hockey player who had been looking forward to attending a Justin Bieber concert. She was deeply loved by her family, who said she “poured so much love into everything and everyone around her.”

Megan’s mother, Nicola Harteveld, has previously spoken openly about the struggles her daughter faced in silence.

Nicola admitted she hadn’t recognised the signs of Megan’s distress at the time, including disrupted sleep and a secretive attachment to her phone.

In the years following Megan’s death, Nicola has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of mental health and the dangers of social media bullying. She founded the Megan’s Starr Foundation, which provides free professional counseling and peer support to vulnerable young people in Pembrokeshire.

Nicola reflected: “I see things now that I didn’t understand back then. I thought mental health struggles were always visible, but I was wrong. Megan was the life and soul of the house, and I never imagined the pain she was in.”

Through campaigns like “Step into January,” Nicola has turned her grief into action, creating a legacy for Megan that focuses on kindness and support for others.

The inquest continues.

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Teen’s tragic death linked to online bullying

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MEGAN EVANS, 14, a talented and kind-hearted teenager from Milford Haven, was found dead at home on February 7, 2017, following what her family believes were bullying messages on social media, an inquest has heard.

Described as intelligent, capable, and full of energy, Megan was a passionate artist, county hockey player, and beloved by her six siblings and parents.

On the night of her death, she had been in good spirits after attending a school meeting about a trip to France.

Later, she was tragically discovered in a locked bathroom at home.

Her family remembered Megan as brave, thoughtful, and endlessly loving, someone who brought joy and positivity to everyone she met. They vowed to honor her memory by promoting kindness and love.

The inquest continues.

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