Politics
No ‘divestment’ of council pension scheme Israel investments

A CALL for Pembrokeshire County Council to end its involvement in a pension fund that has invested millions with companies connected with Israel, will see engagement rather than “divestment,” councillors heard.
At the July meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, two related, submitted, questions were asked by members of the public.
Both asked for the council to divest its involvement in the local government pension scheme the Dyfed pension fund, which they say has more than £60m invested in companies connected with Israel.
Suzanne Radford-Smith said: “I am writing to draw attention to the fact that Dyfed pension fund has £64m invested in companies that are connected with Israel and to ask that Dyfed pension fund divests from these companies.
“Many of these companies are making arms and weapons being used by the Israeli army in the war on Palestine which makes them complicit in the genocide in Gaza.
“I believe this makes PCC also complicit in that genocide.
“Will Pembrokeshire County Council divest the pension fund from these companies?”
A similar question by Marjorie Hawkins said: “I receive a pension from Dyfed Pension Fund and have recently found out that Dyfed pension fund has £64m invested in companies that are connected with Israel.
“Many of these companies are making arms and weapons being used by the Israeli army in the war on Palestine which makes them complicit in the genocide in Gaza.
“I am very dismayed to find out this information and feel that this makes PCC (as one of the county councils in Dyfed Pension Fund) also complicit in that genocide.
“I spent over 10 years working as a social worker in Pembrokeshire. 10 years before this I was a social worker in Swansea and also worked for the NHS previously. I chose to work in jobs that were not involved in making profits or exploiting other people. I am very upset and outraged to find that the pension I receive is complicit in a genocide that is ongoing and we witness daily.
“Will Pembrokeshire County Council divest the pension fund from such companies that are complicit in this genocide?”
Responding, Cabinet member for Corporate Finance, Cllr Joshua Beynon said the scheme, not administered by Pembrokeshire, had “a responsible investment policy which sets out its approach to responsible investing, including human rights”.
He added: “The fund believes that engaging with investee companies is likely to be more effective than divestment in improving desired outcomes and the committee encourages fund asset managers to engage with the companies they invest in. In addition, the fund believes in collective engagement and exercises a voice across a range of environmental, social and governance topics.”
He went on to say the engagement was and dialogue was “a more holistic approach than blanket divestment, particularly where a direct causal relationship may not exist between supply and impact”.
He explained: “For example, a company that supplies components to support renewable-infrastructure projects may also supply components to companies with contracts with law-enforcement agencies.
“It is thus our investment managers who are best placed to understand this nuance, considering all relevant Environmental, Social and Governance factors in their investment-management decisions, as well as their investment stewardship.
“The fund endeavours to identify and engage organisations on human rights issues through various channels including its membership of the local authority pension fund forum, the engagement programme of its investment manager, and via the voting and engagement activity undertaken by the funds voting and engagement provider.”
He concluded: “Engagement will continue on these issues with all its service providers, partners and other stakeholders, evolving its approach as necessary to meet its regulatory and fiduciary requirements.”
News
Welsh Government’s £789m investment package approved by Senedd

THE WELSH GOVERMENT’S Second Supplementary Budget 2024-25 has today been approved by the Senedd.
The £789m funding package, which was published in February, received final approval today. It includes substantial investments which have been delivered throughout the year, including:
- £264m for public sector pay rises announced in September.
- £108m for NHS improvements, including £50m to reduce the longest waiting times by the end of March 2025.
- £63.5m to improve school standards and support education at all levels.
- £53.5m for school and college infrastructure repairs and digital improvements.
- £10m to increase social housing through the Social Housing Grant.
Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said: “We welcome the Senedd’s approval of this crucial budget. This investment strengthens the services that matter most to the people of Wales. The extra funding is supporting improvements in the NHS and schools; has provided pay increases for public sector workers and is helping to build more affordable homes for Welsh families.”
The Second Supplementary Budget also includes £166.7m for rail improvements and sustainable travel, £33.5m for road network safety, and £10m in emergency support for local authorities to repair damage caused by the winter storms.
The budget provides the essential foundation for the Welsh Government’s financial planning for 2025-26.
News
Criticism over lack of response to decline of Welsh-speaking communities

A PLAID CYMRU Member of the Senedd has criticised the Welsh Government for failing to acknowledge the crisis facing Welsh-speaking communities, as concerns grow over the language’s decline.
During First Minister’s Questions on Tuesday (Mar 18), Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru MS for Mid and West Wales, pressed the Welsh Government on when it would respond to the final report of the Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities. The report, published in August 2024, sets out policy recommendations to support the language in its traditional strongholds.
Eluned Morgan, First Minister of Wales, stated that the government’s response will be published during the Urdd Eisteddfod in May. However, she could not confirm whether the recommendations would be implemented before the end of the current Senedd term.
The Commission was set up in November 2022 in response to what the Welsh Government described as a “socio-economic and societal crisis” in Welsh-speaking communities, highlighted by the 2021 Census. The final report was presented to the First Minister last August at the National Eisteddfod in Pontypridd, but seven months later, the government has yet to issue a formal response.
Carmarthenshire, the home county of Mr. Campbell, has seen a sharp decline in Welsh speakers. In 2001, 50.3% of residents spoke the language, falling to 43.9% in 2011 and 39.9% in 2021.
Speaking in the Senedd, Mr. Campbell said: “This is an extremely valuable piece of research and reflection by experts in the field, which sets clear recommendations for the Government to enact. These include measures in education, housing, planning, and economic development to prevent further decline and support the recovery of our Welsh-speaking communities.
“There are only 14 months left until the next Senedd election. Time is running out, and the clock is ticking for our Welsh-speaking communities.
“When will the Government publish its response to this report, and can we be confident that its recommendations will be implemented before the end of this Senedd term?
News
Government’s £5bn benefits crackdown: What It means for Pembrokeshire

New reforms could hit disability claimants hardest
THE UK GOVERNMENT has unveiled a major reform of the welfare system, aiming to save £5bn by 2030 through stricter eligibility rules for benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit (UC). With 19.5% of households in Pembrokeshire claiming Universal Credit, these changes could have a significant impact locally, particularly for disabled residents.

However, early analysis suggests PIP claimants will be hardest hit. While Universal Credit recipients will see some structural changes, including the scrapping of the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) in 2028 and a permanent above-inflation rise, PIP recipients face much tougher eligibility criteria, potentially disqualifying around a million people nationwide.
Local impact on Pembrokeshire
With 26% of its population aged over 65—one of the highest proportions in Wales—and above-average disability rates, Pembrokeshire could be disproportionately affected. Many residents rely on PIP to supplement low wages or provide financial support when work is not an option.
Pembrokeshire’s economy is heavily dependent on seasonal work, tourism, and public services, with 14% of workers self-employed—many in physically demanding jobs. Health and disability benefits play a crucial role for those unable to work year-round.
Key changes announced
Universal Credit (UC)
- Above-inflation increase – Payments will rise permanently to £775 per month by 2030.
- Work Capability Assessment scrapped (2028) – Future assessments for extra support will be through PIP instead.
- Right to Try – Claimants will be encouraged to return to work without immediately losing benefits.
- Under-22s lose incapacity top-up – Young people will no longer qualify for an additional health-related payment, a move designed to deter school leavers from going straight onto benefits.
Impact: Universal Credit claimants face mixed consequences. The removal of WCA could reduce stress for those with long-term conditions, and higher payments may help some households. However, the removal of incapacity top-ups could create financial hardship for young disabled claimants.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Stricter eligibility rules – Claimants must score at least four points in one category to qualify for PIP’s daily living element.
- Up to one million people could lose support – Early estimates suggest a significant number may no longer qualify.
- No means-testing (yet), but tougher assessments – Changes may disproportionately affect those with mental health conditions and fluctuating illnesses.
Impact: Many disabled residents in Pembrokeshire may struggle to qualify for PIP, which in turn affects their Universal Credit top-ups. Those with mental health conditions, long COVID, or conditions such as multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia may face difficulties meeting the new criteria.
What does this mean for Pembrokeshire?
- Higher risk for disabled claimants – With an aging population and a significant number of residents on disability benefits, many may lose essential support.
- Rural and seasonal work challenges – Physically demanding jobs in tourism, construction, and agriculture mean PIP is crucial for those unable to work due to health conditions.
- Potential rise in hardship – Child poverty in Pembrokeshire is already one of the highest in Wales (24.7%). If PIP claimants lose financial support, demand for food banks and social services could increase.
Local perspective
Pembrokeshire has a lower-than-average employment rate (73.8%) and high self-employment (14%), meaning many workers lack stable income or sick pay. The county also faces social care pressures, with 641 adults receiving domiciliary care. If PIP eligibility tightens, many claimants could lose both disability payments and their health-related UC top-ups, leaving some without financial support entirely.
Responding to the Government’s Green Paper on Welfare reforms, Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson David Chadwick MP said: “You don’t get more people into work by slashing support for disabled people who need it.
“If we are to reduce the welfare bill, we need to focus on prevention and get serious about fixing health and social care in Wales, alongside improving mental health treatment provisions.
“Far too many people in Wales are left deteriorating on extreme waiting lists, unable to work and often become sicker while they wait for treatment.
“We are also concerned that the Chancellor’s budget is failing to create new jobs for people to join, with the national insurance rise contributing to job losses and hiring freezes across Wales.
“This is in addition to the fact that in many former industrial parts of Wales, jobs that were lost have never been replaced which is why we need a real economic strategy to breathe new life into these communities.”
What happens next?
The government has launched a Green Paper consultation on the reforms. However, with Labour facing internal criticism over the changes, further amendments could still be made before they take full effect.
Have your say
The Herald wants to hear from Pembrokeshire residents:
- Are you worried about losing your benefits?
- Do you think the “Right to Try” scheme will help you get back into work?
- How will these reforms impact your household?
Email The Herald with your views.
Final verdict
Pembrokeshire at higher risk – With a high disability rate, older population, and reliance on seasonal work, the county may see a rise in financial hardship due to these reforms.r say
Universal Credit claimants – Some may benefit from higher payments and no longer facing Work Capability Assessments, but young disabled people will be hit hardest.
PIP claimants – The biggest losers. Many may lose their entire benefit due to stricter scoring rules, which in turn affects their UC top-ups.
We want to hear from Pembrokeshire residents affected by these changes. Are you worried about losing your benefits? Will the new support help you get back into work? Email The Herald with your views.
-
News2 days ago
Campaigners urge Welsh Government to end animal testing
-
Education2 days ago
Former Ysgol y Preseli headmaster passes following battle with cancer
-
Crime6 days ago
Calls for urgent reform as violence among teens rises in Wales
-
Community2 days ago
Much-loved radio DJ and entertainer Matt Baker passes away
-
News6 days ago
Delays to Wales’ tribunal system ‘deeply troubling’
-
News24 hours ago
Police confirm tragic death of teenage girl in Burton
-
Top News6 days ago
Haverfordwest man accused of repeated assaults on partner to face Crown Court trial
-
Sport7 days ago
Hakin United secure final spot with second-half surge