News

Welsh budget approved after Lib Dem deal saves Labour from defeat

Published

1 year ago

March 4, 2025

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT’S £26 billion budget has been narrowly approved by the Senedd after securing a crucial abstention from Liberal Democrat MS Jane Dodds. The budget, which funds the NHS, education, and other public services, passed with 29 votes in favour, 28 against, and one abstention on Tuesday evening.

Labour, which holds exactly half of the 60 seats in the Senedd, needed support from at least one opposition member. In exchange for her abstention, Dodds secured a £1 bus fare scheme for under-21s and a commitment to ban greyhound racing in Wales.

High stakes and last-minute deal

Had the budget been rejected, the Welsh Government could have faced an automatic funding cut of up to £4.15 billion, a risk that Labour ministers used to pressure opposition members into negotiations. The Welsh Government’s funding comes mostly from the UK Treasury, and without an agreed budget, vital services could have been at risk.

Labour’s Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford defended the budget as a turning point, stating: “Today, with this budget, we turned the corner—moving beyond austerity towards investment and growth.” He warned that rejecting it would mean losing extra NHS funding, school investments, and childcare support.

Where the money is going

The budget includes:

£600 million extra for the NHS, aimed at reducing waiting times.
£100 million for education, including childcare and school funding.
£81 million for social housing, to tackle homelessness.
A £15 million pilot scheme to allow 16 to 21-year-olds to travel anywhere in Wales for £1 per journey.

The Welsh Government claims that changes in UK Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spending decisions have resulted in an additional £1.5 billion for Wales. However, there are concerns that rising National Insurance contributions for public sector employers could swallow up a significant portion of this funding.

Opposition backlash

Both Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Conservatives opposed the budget, arguing it fails to address Wales’ long-term challenges.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth dismissed Drakeford’s claims, stating: “This is a flawed Labour budget. Services will continue to be cut, some will disappear entirely, and council tax will rise significantly.”

Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar argued that rejecting the budget would have been “a good thing”, stating: “If Labour had lost this vote, it would have ended 26 years of tired, clapped-out government that has failed Wales.”

Tensions over failed negotiations

A war of words broke out between Drakeford and Plaid Cymru, with both sides accusing the other of failing to negotiate properly.

Drakeford claimed Plaid did not return to the table after three meetings, while ap Iorwerth insisted Drakeford made no effort to secure a deal.

Plaid’s Heledd Fychan added that the budget “falls short of adequately addressing the challenges Wales faces.” She argued that people would still struggle with rising poverty, food insecurity, and heating costs.

Lib Dems claim victory, Reform UK criticises

Jane Dodds defended her role in securing key concessions, saying: “Today, I feel a deep sense of responsibility. This budget is crucial, not just for the progress we’ve made, but for securing vital funding.”

Meanwhile, Reform UK, which hopes to gain its first Senedd seats in 2026, said the budget “did nothing to fix our struggling economy, failing public services, or the cost-of-living crisis.”

With the budget now passed, the Welsh Government will begin rolling out its funding plans, but opposition parties warn that the financial pressures facing Wales are far from over.

Health

Woman jailed assaults on police, harassment and XL Bully possession

Published

6 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CARMARTHEN woman has been jailed after admitting a lengthy catalogue of offences including assaults on police officers, harassment, breaching a Community Protection Notice, shop theft, possession of an XL Bully dog and assaulting a paramedic.

Tilly Rees, 25, of Llys Caermedi, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18).

The court heard that Rees admitted multiple breaches of a Community Protection Notice issued in 2025, including incidents in which she shouted abuse in public, caused distress to residents and repeatedly targeted individuals named in court proceedings.

Harassment campaign

Among the offences was a harassment charge relating to a course of conduct against a Carmarthen man between March and May this year.

Prosecutors said Rees approached him on multiple occasions, shouted abuse, called him a paedophile and video-recorded him and his home.

She also admitted a series of Community Protection Notice breaches linked to the same behaviour.

Police assaults

The court heard that Rees assaulted a number of police officers during incidents in Llanelli on May 1 and May 5.

Several assault charges against serving police constables were taken into account by the court when sentence was passed.

A further charge of assaulting a paramedic at Dafen Police Station on June 12 was also admitted.

Shop theft and XL Bully

Rees also admitted stealing items including sanitary products, deodorant, skincare products and reading glasses from a Carmarthen pharmacy.

In a separate matter, she admitted possessing an XL Bully dog contrary to the Dangerous Dogs Act. The court ordered the dog to be forfeited and destroyed after Rees relinquished her rights to it.

Restraining orders imposed

District Judge M Layton imposed a number of restraining orders preventing Rees from contacting named individuals or referring to them online.

The orders prohibit direct or indirect contact and restrict social media activity relating to those protected by the orders.

Jailed for 26 weeks

Magistrates concluded that only an immediate custodial sentence could be justified.

Rees was sentenced to a total of 26 weeks’ imprisonment.

The court heard that some of the offences were committed while she was already subject to a suspended sentence, while others involved assaults on emergency workers carrying additional aggravating factors.

Crime

Bomb hoax allegation lands Carmarthenshire man before court

Published

13 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A CARMARTHENSHIRE man has appeared before magistrates accused of making a bomb hoax and assaulting police officers.

Anthony Mold, 38, of Sandy Road, Llanelli, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Mold is charged with communicating false information by alleging that a bomb or other explosive substance was present at Dafen Police Station.

The allegation relates to an incident on May 6 this year.

The defendant also faces charges of assaulting two police officers, damaging a police vehicle, and breaching a Community Protection Notice.

Court records show the damage charge relates to a Dyfed-Powys Police vehicle.

Mold entered guilty pleas to the offences before the court.

District Judge M Layton remanded him in custody for the preparation of reports ahead of sentencing.

The case was adjourned until Thursday, July 2, when Mold is due to be sentenced at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

Crime

Carmarthenshire pensioner, 86, accused of causing prostitution for gain

Published

16 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

AN 86-YEAR-OLD Carmarthenshire pensioner has appeared before magistrates accused of causing or inciting prostitution for gain.

Hywel Charles, of Rhandirfelin, Llanelli, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Charles is charged under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 with intentionally causing or inciting another person to become a prostitute for, or in expectation of, gain for himself.

The allegation relates to an incident said to have taken place at Llanelli on October 9, 2025.