News
Welsh Lib Dems call for more support for childcare sector in Wales

ON TUESDAY in the Senedd (Ma 12), the Welsh Liberal Democrats have called on the Welsh Government to offer more support for the childcare sector.
The party has raised concerns over the potential impact that the 2024 National Living Wage uplift may have on childcare providers.
According to a recent survey from Early Years Wales, 84% of childcare providers stated that the wage increase is unaffordable given the current funding rates and rising operational costs they face.
The same survey also found that 91% of providers have been forced to consider or are set to increase fees for parents, while 94% believe that the current funding rates are inadequate.
The Welsh Lib Dems are now calling on the Welsh Government to provide more support for the childcare sector.
Commenting, the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds MS said: “Unfortunately, like many industries here in Wales, our childcare sector is nearing its financial breaking point.
Devoid of any substantial government backing, there is a real risk that countless childcare providers could go under if immediate action isn’t taken.
The impact of losing our childcare sector would be felt by all of us here in Wales, not just working families that are already struggling with balancing work and home responsibilities.
Families across the country are already being faced with an almost impossible task of finding affordable and easily accessible childcare, with many being forced to choose between forking out thousands of pounds or quitting work.
To put it simply, with less affordable childcare providers, more parents will be forced to make the difficult choice of leaving their employment. Creating a potential butterfly effect that could devastate our already struggling economy.
We urgently need the Welsh Government to support the sector and help protect working Welsh families.”
Community
A quarter of Welsh workers struggle to pay bills despite overtime

A QUARTER of Welsh workers are struggling to pay their bills, while nearly 40% say their salaries do not cover their financial goals, such as buying a home or saving for retirement, new research has found.
The study, conducted by recruitment firm Reed, also revealed that 30% of employees in Wales are unhappy with their pay. Of those, 63% said their wages had not kept up with the cost of living, while 46% blamed low pay within their industry.
Nearly 40% of workers reported working overtime, putting in an average of 6.2 extra hours per week. Among them, 44% said they had no choice due to excessive workloads, while 25% struggled to ‘switch off’ from work.
PAY DISPARITY
Despite working beyond their contracted hours, many employees are not being compensated. Only 21% said they were paid for overtime, while another 21% were able to accrue extra hours. Alarmingly, 44% reported receiving no compensation at all.
Becky Hole, Regional Director at Reed, said: “With 28% of Wales’ population classed as economically inactive, the labour market is tight. It may well be that those who are working feel they need to pick up the slack or work extra hours to compensate for staff shortages.
“It’s clear that Wales has a hardworking population, but the research highlights that many do not feel properly compensated. The extra unpaid hours aren’t alleviating financial worries and could contribute to stress or burnout.”
The findings are part of Reed’s annual salary guide research, which analysed over 21 million job adverts and surveyed 5,000 workers across the UK. The full sector-specific salary guides are available on Reed’s website.
Community
Bells ring out in Pembroke for St David’s Day parade

PARADE BRINGS CELEBRATION TO PEMBROKE CASTLE
THE SOUND of bells, whistles, and cheers filled the air in Pembroke as the town marked St David’s Day with its inaugural parade on Saturday (March 1). Organised by Pembroke Town Team and Gwenno Dafydd, the event, titled “Ring Out the Bells for St David,” brought together residents and visitors to celebrate Welsh heritage in a lively and colourful procession.
The parade began at 11:15am, with participants gathering at the North Quay outside the Corn Store. At 11:30am, the procession made its way to Pembroke Castle, creating a vibrant atmosphere with banners, flags, and the sound of bells ringing in honour of Wales’ patron saint. The enthusiasm of the crowd was palpable as families, schoolchildren, and local groups joined in, waving Welsh flags and proudly wearing national colours.












Upon arrival at the castle at midday, the bells rang out to mark the occasion, followed by a range of Welsh-themed entertainment. Traditional music, folk dancing, and performances celebrating Welsh culture kept the spirit of the event alive, reinforcing the importance of St David’s Day in the local community.
Speaking about the success of the parade, an organiser said: “It was fantastic to see so many people come together to celebrate our heritage. The energy and pride on display today truly reflected the spirit of St David’s Day.”
Locals praised the event as a welcome addition to Pembroke’s calendar, with many hoping it will become an annual tradition.
Images by Martin Cavaney
News
New leader for Congress group strengthening US-Wales ties

FIRST MINISTER Eluned Morgan has welcomed the appointment of Rep. Lloyd Doggett as the new Democratic Co-Chair of the Friends of Wales Caucus in the US Congress.
Rep. Doggett spoke about his new role during a Welsh Government-hosted reception at the Library of Congress to mark St David’s Day. The Caucus, established on St David’s Day in 2014, aims to strengthen cultural and trade links between Wales and the USA.
The group currently has 26 members across both the US House and Senate. The existing Chair, Rep. Morgan Griffith, a Republican representing Virginia’s 9th Congressional District, will now be joined by Rep. Doggett as the Democratic Co-Chair.
The Welsh Government has been actively engaging with Congress to foster stronger ties. With the support of the Caucus, it has hosted events promoting Wales’s compound semiconductor cluster and its climate change initiatives during New York Climate Week.
Rep. Doggett, who joined the Caucus in November 2023, has expressed enthusiasm for his new role. He has served in the US House of Representatives since 1995 and currently represents Texas’s 37th Congressional District. Over his tenure, he has been a vocal advocate for environmental protection, healthcare expansion, public education, and social safety net programmes.
On March 12, his congressional district will host the SXSW festival, where FOCUS Wales will showcase Welsh music with support from the Welsh Government.
First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “I am delighted to welcome the first Democratic Co-Chair of the Friends of Wales Caucus, Congressman Lloyd Doggett. I have no doubt that he will be immensely successful alongside Congressman Griffith. I am confident that, through their joint leadership, the Caucus will continue to grow and support the interests of Wales before Congress.”
-
Crime4 days ago
Man to stand trial after abandoned Audi found in hedge
-
Crime4 days ago
Woman dies after violent incident on ferry from Fishguard
-
Health6 days ago
Delays in ambulance response ‘likely led to mother’s death’
-
Top News5 days ago
Drunk man jumps into Milford Marina, sparking multi-agency search
-
Crime4 days ago
Dairy farm worker caught drink-driving after whisky binge
-
Crime7 days ago
Man ‘covered in blue paint’ tasered and arrested in Milford Haven
-
Community3 days ago
Woman arrested in Johnston by armed officers following ‘disturbance’
-
Crime4 days ago
Son subjected mother to abuse and caused £700 worth of damage