MINISTERS have been accused of failing to ensure political neutrality among media organisations receiving Welsh Government funding.

Conservative Senedd member Andrew RT Davies challenged Plaid Cymru Culture Secretary Heledd Fychan over whether public money should be withdrawn from any media organisation found not to be politically neutral.

The row follows written questions tabled by Mr Davies, who asked whether the Welsh Government considered Nation.Cymru’s output to be politically neutral.

In response, Ms Fychan said the Welsh Government “does not hold a position on the political neutrality of individual media outlets in Wales”, but added that an impartial media was “critical to a functioning democracy”.

She said concerns over perceived bias in print and online newspapers were handled by the Independent Press Standards Organisation.

However, Mr Davies claimed that answer was wrong, pointing to IPSO guidance which says newspapers and magazines are allowed to be partisan generally, including in election coverage, provided the Editors’ Code is not otherwise breached.

Funding question

In a second written question, Mr Davies asked whether the Welsh Government would commit to withdrawing public funds from any media organisations that are not politically neutral.

Ms Fychan replied that it was not for the Welsh Government to determine what constituted a deviation from political neutrality by a media organisation.

She added: “However, as stated previously, we expect all media outlets in receipt of Welsh Government funds to operate without distinct political bias.”

Mr Davies said the answer showed ministers were failing to properly police the use of taxpayers’ money.

He said: “Plaid Cymru separatists are giving certain media outlets taxpayer funds, yet are taking no action to ensure their output is politically neutral.

“They wrongly stated complaints should be referred to IPSO, despite the organisation having no powers to prevent political bias.

“This is simultaneously incompetent and a serious misuse of taxpayers’ money.”

Welsh Government stance

The Welsh Government’s position is that it does not make rulings on the political neutrality of individual media outlets, while expecting organisations receiving public funds to avoid distinct political bias.

The dispute is likely to fuel wider debate over public support for journalism in Wales, particularly where funding is awarded to outlets that also publish political commentary or opinion-led material.

PLAID CYMRU ministers are facing pressure to clarify whether a controversial council tax revaluation will go ahead in 2028, amid warnings it could leave thousands of Welsh households paying more.

The Welsh Conservatives have claimed the proposed shake-up would hurt working families and worsen cost-of-living pressures at a time when household budgets are already under strain.

The row follows reports that new Local Government Minister Siân Gwenllian MS said the Welsh Government was “actively looking” at whether the revaluation should proceed.

However, First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth told BBC Radio Wales on May 13 that it remained the government’s intention to press ahead.

The revaluation forms part of wider council tax reform in Wales, with ministers previously arguing that the current system is outdated and unfair. Welsh homes were last revalued for council tax purposes in 2003, with the current bands coming into force in 2005.

Under existing plans, homes would be revalued in 2028, with further revaluations every five years.

Ministers say the aim is to make council tax fairer and more progressive, with properties placed in bands that better reflect current values.

But opponents argue that any revaluation risks creating significant numbers of losers, particularly in areas where house prices have risen sharply.

Peter Fox MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities, said the mixed messages from ministers would cause confusion for councils and households.

He said: “The First Minister has already said that council tax revaluation will go ahead in Wales in 2028, so these mixed messages from the Minister will cause confusion amongst local authorities.

“We all remember Labour’s last council tax revaluation in 2004, which was claimed would be revenue-neutral, but there were many more losers than winners.

“The last thing that people need right now is to be spending even more on their council tax bills than before.

“Plaid must ditch this policy and focus on helping families keep more of their money rather than looking for more revenue.

“Council tax has increased at a much faster rate in Wales compared to England, putting increased pressure on household budgets.

“Council tax revaluation is a tax increase by stealth. If Plaid Cymru are serious about wanting to support families with the cost of living, they should scrap council tax revaluation.”

Council tax remains one of the most politically sensitive household bills in Wales, with annual increases already placing pressure on residents.

Supporters of reform argue that the current system is based on outdated property values and leaves some lower-income households paying a disproportionate share.

Critics, however, say that any major revaluation during a cost-of-living squeeze could lead to sharp bill increases for families who are asset-rich on paper but already struggling with day-to-day costs.

The Welsh Government has previously said reforms are intended to be fairer and not simply a way of raising more money overall.

But with the 2028 timetable now under renewed scrutiny, councils and households are waiting to see whether Plaid Cymru ministers will confirm, delay, or rethink the revaluation plan.

A CALL for a north Pembrokeshire farm to be able to diversify through the bottling of water from its well has been given the go-ahead.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, a Mr George, through agent Harries Planning Design Management, sought permission for a change of use of part of an existing agricultural shed to a use for the bottling of water as a form of farm diversification at Trerhys, near St Dogmaels, Cardigan.

A supporting statement said: “The water bottling plant will be run and under control by the applicant, who also has direct control of the associated farm known as Trerhys. The water bottling plant seeks to diversify the farm income to provide future economic sustainability and increase revenue from the land.

“The increase in profits generated by the water bottling plant business will be siphoned back into the farm business, to allow for necessary improvements and works to the farm to ensure its future within a worsening agricultural economy.”

It said the profits would be used for on-going repair and replacement of existing fencing around the farm which owns significant land, along with investing and increasing the suckler herd on the farm.

“The applicant underwent major surgery back in 2023 and had to cut back hours on the farm to recover. This meant that the suckler herd dipped in numbers and due to profitability, the farm has yet to be able to recover to its previous numbers.

“This increase in profit will allow the capital to be reinvested in the suckler herd, increase profit margins and overall profitability for the farm.”

It also said the profits would be “channelled into large repairs and overall, like-for-like replacement of a number of existing farm buildings,” and, depending on returns, “there may be scope to invest in the existing farmhouse on site”.

It concluded: “Overall, whilst the water bottling plant will take some time to become established and generate suitable profits, once established significant profits, these will be reinvested as above into the existing farm business to ensure its future can be secured for longer within an uncertain agricultural economy.

“Without diversification, the farm is set to reduce further in size and the buildings and farmyard become further run down and unsightly in the landscape.”

An officer report recommending approval said the scheme for Trerhys Farm, 1.7km to the north of Moylegrove, would use one bay of an existing shed and would “utilise the existing water source from a well within an existing agricultural field to the north of the farm complex”.

Concerns were raised by three members of the public on the grounds of a query on the water source and transportation of the finished product, and potential noise issues.

The report said a noise assessment found no detrimental impacts in the locality, with Highways officers having no concerns on transportation issues.

The officer report concluded: “Following careful consideration of the application and its merits, it is concluded that the proposed scheme represents an appropriate form of development in this location.”

The application was conditionally approved.