Labour pledge to enshrine human rights into Welsh law delayed

Published

1 year ago

September 17, 2024

PLANS to enshrine international human rights treaties into Welsh law will no longer be brought forward by 2026 despite a manifesto commitment, a committee heard.

Labour’s 2021 Senedd manifesto pledged to incorporate United Nations conventions on rights of disabled people and the elimination of discrimination against women.

But the Senedd’s equality and social justice committee was told the Welsh Government will not introduce legislation on the UN treaties before the election in May 2026.

Simon Hoffman, a professor in law at Swansea University who specialises in human rights, led 2021 research on advancing equality and human rights in Wales.

In his written evidence to the inquiry, Prof Hoffman said preparatory work will not be complete in time for legislation to be brought forward during the current Senedd term.

He told the meeting: “I don’t think we can achieve what was in the recommendation…. I think the best we can think about is possibly a green paper and a timeline.”

Witnesses warned a lack of time and money has harmed efforts to incorporate UN treaties.

Charles Whitmore, a research associate at Cardiff University’s Wales Governance Centre, chairs a working group that is exploring the legislative options.

He told the committee: “We do not have any financial resource so far made available to pay for time to do the work, so invariably it proceeds at a pace that matches voluntary capacity.”

Cautioning that incorporation could be “quite far away”, Mr Whitmore said: “I don’t know if we’re at the stage of being able to put a timeframe against this yet.”

Jenny Rathbone, who chairs the equality committee, raised concern about delays, criticising the previous UK Government’s “schizophrenic attitude” towards human rights.

“Time marches on and we’re only 18 months away from wrapping up this term,” she said.

Her Labour colleague Julie Morgan questioned whether there has been a shift in view from Welsh ministers, asking witnesses if incorporation still holds value.

Sioned Williams, Plaid Cymru’s shadow social justice secretary, similarly asked whether there has been any cooling of enthusiasm towards enshrining rights.

And Joel James, her Conservative counterpart, contrasted “warm words” from ministers with an “implementation gap” on the ground.

Mr Whitmore agreed about the need to protect against “regression” in human rights at a UK level, saying the “alarming” pace of legislation drained capacity and hampered work.

Prof Hoffman, who is secretary of the Senedd’s cross-party group on human rights, said incorporation should remain firmly on the agenda.

“Legal recognition of rights is a significant step,” he told committee members.

Prof Hoffman said incorporation of rights would raise awareness, signal importance, influence policy development and provide for accountability.

He added: “One of the things that incorporation does is it makes human rights enduring … it makes human rights sticky … and I think that is particularly important.”

Prof Hoffman pointed out that Wales’ 2011 Rights of Children and Young Persons Measure places a duty on ministers to have “due regard” to the UN convention on children’s rights.

The expert cautioned that spreading resources too thinly could force a binary choice.

He said: “I think it’s crucially important that we continue on the route towards incorporation while also looking at other ways of doing human rights in practice.”

Prof Hoffman suggested the UK Government’s decision to challenge Scotland’s children’s rights legislation in the Supreme Court has had a chilling effect on work in Wales.

Meanwhile, Mr Whitmore cautioned that the sector is under considerable pressure as he raised the example of the ripple effect caused by the closure of the Chwarae Teg charity.

Sarah Nason, a senior lecturer in administrative law at Bangor University, said public bodies are already subject to many duties and any new ones need to be aligned.

“It’s a question of the duties being clear and consistent,” she said.

Calling for reforms to improve access to justice, Dr Nason raised concerns about cuts to legal aid creating “advice deserts” across the country.

She told the meeting on September 16 that Wales sees “very few” judicial review claims per head of population compared with parts of England and other devolved nations.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) painted a mixed picture in its 2023 ‘state of the nation’ report, entitled Is Wales Fairer?.

Warning poverty remains a persistent problem in Wales, the EHRC raised concerns about one-in-four children living in relative income poverty.

The commission also found educational attainment for disabled children in Wales is falling behind other parts of the UK as is the attainment gap for those eligible for free school meals.

And, according to the report, the number of racially and religiously aggravated offences rose 72% from 2017 to 2022 while the number of offences resulting in a charge fell.

Making a total of 19 recommendations to the Welsh Government and other public bodies, the commission called for action to tackle gaps in data and evidence.

But the EHRC welcomed ministers’ commitments and highlighted progress on diversity in public appointments as well as a narrowing of gender pay and disability employment gaps.

St David’s Day parade brings colour and celebration to Haverfordwest

Published

6 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST town centre was a hive of activity today (Friday, Feb 27) as hundreds of children from schools across Pembrokeshire took part in a special St David’s Day celebration.

The popular parade, organised by the Pembrokeshire Language Forum, returned to the county town once again, with smiles all round from participants and spectators who lined the streets to watch.

Children paraded down High Street, through Bridge Street and along Quay Street, led by Samba Doc, before gathering at Picton Playing Fields for songs and dancing during an open-air jamboree with entertainer Tomos Tanllyd.

Pembrokeshire County Council Leader Cllr Jon Harvey said: “St David’s Day is always a special occasion in Pembrokeshire, and it was wonderful to see so many young people coming together to celebrate our language, culture and national identity.”

Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, Cllr Guy Woodham added: “The annual St David’s Day parade is a shining example of what schools in Pembrokeshire do to celebrate the Welsh language and culture, and they are certainly enthusiastic about it.”

Council Vice Chairman and Champion for the Welsh Language and Children and Young People, Cllr Delme Harries said: “It was fantastic to see such enthusiasm from pupils across the county, proudly celebrating St David’s Day.”

Local member Cllr Tom Tudor also praised the event, adding: “It really was a great celebration of St David’s Day and a highlight for Haverfordwest.”

Welsh Language Development Officer Catrin Phillips said the event continues to grow each year.

She said: “The St David’s Day parade, organised by the Pembrokeshire Language Forum, is always a highlight of the year and it’s wonderful to bring schools together to celebrate Welsh language and culture in such a joyful way.

“It has been especially encouraging to see new schools joining us this year, helping the event continue to grow.”

Community

Pub reopens with VIP club launch and free drink offer

Published

2 days ago

February 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A POPULAR Pembrokeshire pub is reopening its doors this week with a new loyalty scheme aimed at rewarding regular customers.

The Griffin Dale Pembrokeshire will reopen for the season on Thursday (Feb 26), with owners Sian and Simon promising roaring fires, fresh seafood and a warm welcome for returning customers.

To mark the reopening, the team has launched a new Griffin VIP Club, designed to give regular visitors small perks throughout the year.

The scheme includes a loyalty drinks stamp card, occasional meal offers, discounts on drinks, birthday treats and early access to events and promotions.

As part of the launch celebrations, customers visiting on reopening day will receive a complimentary drink along with 20% off food and drinks during a special “Thirsty Thursday” promotion.

The owners said the club was intended as a simple way of giving something back to loyal customers rather than a formal membership programme.

“We’re so excited to be reopening for the season and welcoming everyone back,” they said. “It’s just our way of saying thank you to those who support us and pop in regularly.”

Customers interested in joining the VIP Club can sign up at the bar when visiting the pub.

Business

Bosherston Bistro 10pm alcohol licence granted by council

Published

3 days ago

February 25, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to allow the selling of alcohol as late as 10pm at a rural beauty spot former village tearoom which objectors fear will “create an absolute nightmare” exacerbating an already growing issue with antisocial behaviour from holidaymakers, has been given the go-ahead.

At Pembrokeshire County Council’s February licensing sub-committee, members considered an application by Sarah Jane Partridge and Robert John Secrett for a new premises licence at Bosherton Bistro, Old World Cottage, Bosherton.

A report for members said it was proposed the premises, formerly a tearoom called ‘Ye Olde Worlde Café’ would open 8am-10pm, selling alcohol from 9am on and off site, seven days a week in the village.

Since the proposal for the site, close to the village pub The St Govan’s Inn, was publicised, 13 objections were received, including Stackpole and Castlemartin Community Council.

In its submissions, the community council said it “will cause a significant public nuisance in the residential area”.

It said the ordinarily tranquil Bosherston, with its neighbouring beauty spot attractions of the lily ponds and St Govans currently has four well-established camp sites “which already frequently cause late night disruption, littering and anti-social behaviour caused predominantly by intoxicated individuals”.

It went on to say: “Instances of aggressive behaviour and trespass are already prevalent within the village by visitors under the influence of alcohol.”

Concerns raised by members of the public included fears of “an increased problem with drunkenness, drink driving and antisocial behaviour,” and it would “make life for the residents in the immediate area an absolute nightmare”.

Robert John Secrett and Sarah Jane Partridge

Speaking at the meeting, applicant Sarah Jane Partridge said they shared “the same fundamental aims as the residents,” with the scheme “not about creating a drinking venue but a food-based family bistro”.

She stressed that campers were already able to buy alcohol from the pub, or bring their own to the campsites, adding the 84-cover bistro would introduce safeguarding measures around the sale of any alcohol; off-site sales consisting of ‘gift-set’-style alcohol craft packages rather than “cans of lager”.

Objector Rik Guly said there had been many public order incidents over the years in the 36-home village relating to visitors from the campsites, as well as empty beer bottles, tampons and tins littering the area, one farmer also having his ‘honesty box’ stolen on several occasions; the application “effectively throwing a catalyst for more alcohol consumption and more public disorder”.

He also raised concerns it could restrict access along the narrow road to the nearby coastguard building for emergency services.

Another objector Clare Strudwick said “almost half the village” was objecting to the scheme which would cause “unacceptable public nuisance”.

Representing the community council, local county councillor Steve Alderman, who once farmed in Bosherston himself, said post-Covid visitor interest in the area had been raised “immeasurably,” with huge numbers attracted to the area.

He said that, while “antisocial behaviour, both physical and verbal” and “a complete lack of respect for what is a marvellous-looking village” was “society’s fault,” the resident’s had a right to enjoy their quality of life.

After the committee deliberated, chair Cllr Tony Wilcox said they had considered the range of objections but considered they were “not of sufficient seriousness to consider rejecting the application”.

The licensing application was approved, objectors hearing that decision could be appealed within 28 days.