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Kurtz calls out MP over broken promise on agricultural property relief

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WELSH Conservative Samuel Kurtz has taken Pembrokeshire’s Labour MP to task following the Chancellor’s announcement that the Labour Government will slash Agricultural Property Relief (APR)—a move the local MP had promised would not happen.

During the recent General Election, the Labour candidate publicly assured farmers at a husting event hosted by NFU Cymru, the Farmers’ Union of Wales, and Pembrokeshire Young Farmers’ Club, that APR would remain unchanged under a Labour Government. Similarly, Labour’s DEFRA Secretary told the Financial Times in November 2023, “we have no intention of changing APR,” reinforcing the pledge to farmers across the UK.

However, Wednesday’s Budget revealed a reversal on this promise, with the Chancellor announcing cuts to APR, potentially jeopardising thousands of family farms by increasing the Inheritance Tax burden. APR provides critical relief on the transfer of agricultural property, allowing farming families to pass their established food producing business down to future generations.

Speaking after the Budget, Samuel Kurtz commented told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “Labour’s Budget was a string of broken promises, but none will be as harmful to hardworking farmers as their cut to Agricultural Property Relief.

“For the Labour candidate to assure farmers at the husting that no changes would be made to APR—and then have Labour go back on that—shows that the party will say whatever it takes to win votes.

“Trust in politicians is at an all-time low, and this U-turns only helps feed that mistrust. Decisions like this threaten the future of family farms and undermine the promises made to the communities Labour claims to represent.”

 

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A4075 shut near Bluestone following collision

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DRIVERS are being urged to avoid the A4075 this evening following a collision near Bluestone.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the road has been closed between Yerbeston and the Bluestone Roundabout while emergency services deal with the incident.

Traffic reports say the closure is affecting both directions between the A4115 and the B4586, with slow traffic in the area.

A police spokesperson said: “The road is currently closed due to a collision. Please avoid the area and find alternative routes for your journey.”

Motorists are advised to allow extra time and use an alternative route where possible.

 

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Offshore wind ‘could bring new generation of jobs to Milford Haven’

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Pembrokeshire ports and Celtic Sea projects placed at centre of Wales’ green energy ambitions

MILFORD HAVEN and Pembroke Dock could be at the heart of a new offshore wind boom after Wales’ new energy minister said the sector could drive jobs, investment and coastal regeneration.

Adam Price, the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, told the Global Offshore Wind 2026 conference that Wales was “open for business” and ready to work with industry, the UK Government and The Crown Estate.

For Pembrokeshire, the announcement is particularly significant. The Milford Haven Waterway is already being positioned as a key base for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, with Pembroke Port earmarked as a major renewables hub. Plans for a dedicated floating offshore wind storage compound at Pembroke Dock have already secured planning permission.

Mr Price said: “I believe that the offshore wind sector has the potential to deliver high quality sustainable career opportunities for people in Wales.

“The offshore wind sector has a key role to play in bringing about the regeneration of coastal communities in both north and south Wales.

“Our role is to remove the blockers faced by the sector — whether in planning, access to finance or infrastructure.”

The Celtic Sea floating wind programme is expected to create major supply chain opportunities for Welsh ports, engineering firms, vessel operators and training providers. Marine Energy Wales has said the first 4.5GW of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea could create more than 5,300 jobs during construction.

The Port of Milford Haven has previously said the Haven’s existing energy expertise, heavy engineering base and deep-water port facilities make it well placed to support the industry.

Mr Price also welcomed UK Government support for Port Talbot, but Pembrokeshire businesses will be watching closely to ensure Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock receive a fair share of the investment.

Jessica Hooper, Director of RenewableUK Cymru, said offshore wind was “Wales’ next big industrial opportunity”, adding that it could be worth almost £5bn to Welsh businesses and deliver more than 3,000 long-term secure jobs.

For Milford Haven, long associated with oil, gas and marine industry, floating offshore wind could mark the next chapter in the Haven’s energy story.

 

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Welsh Conservatives call for overseas spending to be redirected to public services

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Darren Millar says taxpayers’ money should be spent on Welsh priorities, not foreign projects

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has been urged to stop spending taxpayers’ money on overseas projects and instead focus every pound on public services and the Welsh economy.

Darren Millar MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said ministers should scrap what he described as costly international schemes and overseas offices, arguing that the money would be better spent on hospitals, roads and businesses in Wales.

The Conservatives have repeatedly criticised Welsh Government spending on international projects, including tree planting in Nigeria, solar-powered canoes in the Amazon, and the maintenance of overseas offices.

Mr Millar said the Welsh Government had no responsibility for foreign policy and should concentrate on devolved priorities.

He said: “At a time when patients are being treated in hospital corridors, our road infrastructure is creaking and businesses are taxed to the hilt, it is simply wrong that Welsh taxpayers’ money is being wasted on overseas vanity projects.

“The first duty of the Welsh Government is to the people it serves. Plaid’s Finance Minister is being evasive over how to fund flagship policies, but could save millions of pounds by scrapping wasteful spending on non-devolved areas.

“Tree-planting schemes in Africa, solar-powered canoe projects in the Amazon and the maintenance of Welsh Government offices in exotic locations around the world, including three in China, represent spending on non-devolved areas, which are the responsibility of the UK Government.

“There’s no such thing as government money, only taxpayers’ money, and we should be able to see how every penny is spent.

“The Welsh Government must prioritise the needs of the people of Wales and focus spending on public services and building a stronger economy.”

 

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