News
Overcrowding plagues Pembrokeshire homes: Census reveals troubling housing crisis
The 2021 census has exposed the distressing reality of almost 1,000 overcrowded households in Pembrokeshire, comprising 1.7% of all homes in the area. While overcrowding has often been attributed to sluggish housebuilding and surging rents across England and Wales, it is now a pressing concern in this idyllic Welsh county.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data underscores that 43,785 homes in Pembrokeshire, amounting to a staggering 78.9%, are classified as ‘under-occupied,’ indicating they possess unused rooms. The overcrowding assessment method takes into account the number of available rooms and whether they are adequate for the number of occupants.
Unsurprisingly, renters bear the brunt of this crisis, with a higher likelihood of residing in cramped conditions compared to homeowners. Social renters, in particular, grapple with a daunting 4.5% of overcrowded housing in Pembrokeshire.
Ben Twomey, the Chief Executive of the advocacy group Generation Rent, lamented the dire situation faced by private renters. He attributed the crisis to a dearth of housing construction and soaring rents, describing overcrowding as particularly stressful for families with children or older renters.
Alarming statistics reveal that around 530 households with dependent children in Pembrokeshire are grappling with insufficient living space, painting a grim picture of the housing situation. Wales at large faces a stark divide, as households led by individuals of black backgrounds report an alarming 11.9% overcrowding rate, a stark contrast to the 2.2% average among the general population. Furthermore, Muslim households are nearly seven times more likely to suffer from overcrowding.
Sam Tims, a senior economist at the New Economics Foundation, underscored the gravity of the issue, stating that every family deserves an affordable, comfortable home with access to essential amenities. Yet, over two-thirds of houses across the country remain underutilized, forcing more than a million households to endure homes that are too small for their needs. Tims also pointed out that a constrained welfare system exacerbates this crisis.
London emerged as the epicenter of overcrowded housing, overshadowing all other regions in England and Wales. The capital accounted for all the top 10 most crowded areas, with the exception of Slough, a London commuter town.
In a chorus of concern, both the New Economics Foundation and Generation Rent advocate for the construction of more social housing as the primary solution to address this pressing issue. The Pembrokeshire census revelations serve as a stark reminder that the housing crisis is far from over, necessitating urgent and comprehensive action to ensure that every household has access to safe and spacious living conditions.
Business
Stena announces redundancy plan amid uncertainty for Pembrokeshire
FREIGHT carrier and ferry operator Stena Line, which runs services between Fishguard and Pembroke Dock, has announced plans to cut up to 80 staff members following an internal review.
Uncertainty looms over whether any of these redundancies will impact staff operating our local ferry services.
Stena CEO Paul Grant shared the news in an email to employees on Monday, citing a need to “future proof the company.” He explained that an internal assessment revealed the company’s current organisational structure as “too big and expensive” compared to its revenue.
The decision comes amid rising costs and increased competition in the freight and travel sectors.
According to Mr. Grant, “Cost pressure due to higher inflation has led to our customers having less money to spend, and with the introduction of the European Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), increasing our prices, we see a decline in volumes for both travel and freight.” Additionally, disappointing sales during the summer season and unmet market growth expectations for 2024 contributed to the restructuring.
The program, designed to strengthen Stena’s long-term business viability, includes a reduction of costs, prioritization of investments, and staff cuts that will primarily impact support functions and consultants. The workforce will be reduced by 80 positions by early 2025, along with 30 consultants also set to leave the company. Discussions with unions and work councils are expected to last several months, with all affected staff to be informed of their status by January 31, 2025.
In response to this announcement, the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) has demanded a meeting with Stena Line to clarify the impact of these cuts, particularly on their members.
TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust expressed disappointment over the handling of the announcement, stating: “Our members are shocked by this news and outraged that Stena has chosen to sidestep established industrial relations processes. Stena must meet with us urgently to clarify who is at risk and address the potential impacts on our members.”
The layoffs are part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at securing Stena Line’s future amid sustainability challenges. CEO Niclas Mårtensson acknowledged the difficult decision, stating, “Stena Line has been a successful company over the past few years; however, we need to ensure a lower cost base to be able to future proof the company. With 40 vessels in Europe and the Mediterranean, we have significant sustainability challenges ahead of us, and this program will enable us to make necessary investments for the future.”
The TSSA’s letter to Stena reiterates the union’s commitment to supporting affected employees and calls for an immediate discussion to clarify the situation, especially for staff at Fishguard who may be impacted.
News
UK government to appoint first Wales Crown Estate Commissioner
FOR the first time, the UK government will appoint a Crown Estate Commissioner dedicated to advising on matters in Wales, further integrating Welsh interests in board-level decisions. This move supports existing efforts to ensure that Wales benefits from the push for clean energy, following an agreement facilitated by the Welsh Secretary.
An amendment to the Crown Estate Bill, with cross-party backing from Labour, Plaid Cymru, Liberal Democrats, and crossbenchers, will be accepted at today’s Lords Report Stage (Nov 5). This change mandates the appointment of a Wales-specific Commissioner through the Public Appointments process, with input from the Welsh Government. The appointee will bear “an additional responsibility” to represent Welsh conditions and interests, amplifying Wales’s voice within the Crown Estate.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens has collaborated with the Treasury, The Crown Estate, House of Lords members, and the Welsh Government to secure this legislative advancement. The Crown Estate, instrumental in drawing international investment to Wales, supports projects like Floating Offshore Wind in the Celtic Sea, which promises cleaner energy and job creation.
The introduction of a Wales-specific Commissioner strengthens The Crown Estate’s mission to serve the entire UK while averting potential market fragmentation and protecting international investor confidence critical to the net-zero transition.
In a related effort, Great British Energy, the government’s new public energy firm, recently partnered with The Crown Estate to expedite renewable energy advancements. This initiative could attract up to £60bn in private investment, boosting the UK’s journey toward energy independence.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens stated: “This is a landmark step toward ensuring that Welsh prosperity is at the heart of the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower. Our nation stands to benefit hugely from investment in floating offshore wind, and we now have the representation we need to help seize that moment. This demonstrates how Wales benefits directly from its two governments working together, and I’m grateful to Lord Livermore, The Crown Estate, and others for helping to make this happen.”
Sir Robin Budenberg CBE, Chair of The Crown Estate, said: “In seeking to increase the number of Commissioners from eight to twelve, The Crown Estate welcomes the opportunity now presented by this amendment to bring even more direct knowledge and understanding of the areas in which we operate and further strengthen our ability to deliver benefit to the whole of the UK.”
Crime
Arrests made after large-scale cannabis operation raided in Pembroke Dock
POLICE in Pembroke Dock have uncovered yet another large-scale cannabis operation, as part of an ongoing clampdown on illegal farms in the area. On Monday (Nov 4), Dyfed-Powys Police executed a search warrant at a property on Dimond Street, where officers found over 500 cannabis plants in a sophisticated cultivation setup.
Two men, aged 26 and 34, have been arrested in connection with the investigation and are currently in police custody. The raid follows a series of similar operations in Pembrokeshire, targeting properties used for illegal drug cultivation.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
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