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Politics

Plaid Cymru demand for ‘fair share’ from HS2 voted down

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THE SENEDD rejected Plaid Cymru calls to demand HS2 be redesignated as an England-only project to unlock billions of pounds of consequential funding for Wales.

Senedd Members voted 42-12 against a Plaid Cymru motion on HS2, a high-speed railway from London to Birmingham, following a debate on March 12.

The project was classified as a Wales-and-England project in 2015 by David Cameron’s UK Government despite not an inch of track crossing the border.

As a consequence, no funding has come to Wales under the Barnett formula but Scotland and Northern Ireland have received a population share of HS2 spending.

Plaid Cymru has made the case for £4bn in compensation based on estimates of the total cost but the Welsh Government has quoted a £400m figure based on spending to date.

Peredur Owen Griffiths, the party’s shadow transport secretary in the Senedd, warned Welsh rail infrastructure has been systematically underfunded by the UK Government.

South Wales East MS Peredur Owen Griffiths
South Wales East MS Peredur Owen Griffiths

Calling for an end to “fundamental injustice”, he said: “Wales has received a fraction of the rail enhancement funding it is owed, our infrastructure has suffered from decades of neglect and the UK Government has failed to deliver the fair funding Wales needs.”

The Plaid Cymru politician pointed to an acknowledgment from Heidi Alexander, the UK transport secretary, that Wales has received low levels of funding historically.

“But this underfunding is not just historical, it is ongoing,” he warned. “Westminster, whether red or blue, continues to deny Wales the consequentials it is due.”

Mr Owen Griffiths raised concerns about reports that UK chancellor Rachel Reeves plans to freeze spending on major new rail projects until after the 2029 general election.

Pointing out that Welsh ministers previously called for £5bn in consequential funding, he told the Senedd: “Clearly, the people of Wales cannot trust this Labour party to stick to its word.”

Mr Owen Griffiths criticised the Welsh Government’s “delete-all” amendment, which was narrowly agreed, for “U-turning” on previous policy positions.

He said: “Now, when it truly matters, they have collective amnesia. What has changed? … The only thing that has changed is Labour’s willingness to stand up for Wales when they finally got the chance to do something about it.”

Peter Fox, the Tories’ shadow transport secretary, accused Labour of playing politics. “It must be embarrassing for Labour backbenchers, hence not many here,” he said.

Conservative MS Peter Fox
Conservative MS Peter Fox

Labour’s heckler-in-chief Lee Waters pointed out: “There’s nobody on your front bench.”

Mr Fox said: “Politicians in both Wales and England were calling for billions of pounds … but now Labour are in power in Westminster, their call is for just a meagre £400m.”

Labour backbencher Mick Antoniw pointed out that the previous Conservative UK Government could have designated HS2 as an England-only project.

Mr Fox, a former council leader, said the Tory Senedd group has stood against its own party on HS2 funding, adding: “It’s a kick in the teeth that you are turning your back.”

His Conservative colleague Gareth Davies warned of a “grotesque imbalance” between spending on rail in north Wales compared with the south of the country.

Labour’s Hefin David remarked: “The closer we get to an election, the poorer the standard of debate happens to be in this chamber. You would swear … that actually there’s been no progress whatsoever on rail in Wales which is manifestly not the case.”

Caerphilly's Labour MS Hefin David
Caerphilly’s Labour MS Hefin David

Dr David pointed out that the newest trains in the whole of Europe now run on the Rhymney line through his Caerphilly constituency following an “incredible transformation”.

Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds said: “I feel these … debates are really the opposition parties putting down a motion and the Welsh Government saying ‘delete all’, and it feels like on this occasion just for the point of doing it and that depresses me beyond belief.”

Labour’s Alun Davies agreed, saying: “I don’t believe that’s the correct way of approaching these debates. We should look for consensus where possible – and that’s coming from me. We should look towards amending motions rather than deleting them.”

Wales’ transport secretary Ken Skates said the Welsh Government took ownership of the core valley lines and “transformed a liability into an asset”.

Ken Skates, cabinet secretary for north Wales and transport
Ken Skates, cabinet secretary for north Wales and transport

He told the Senedd: “And now that we have a Labour UK Government we will transform services across north Wales as well, increasing services by 50% next year.”

Mr Skates said a review of Network Rail processes will ensure Wales finally receives a fair share of all future rail infrastructure investment.

News

Ombudsman finds ex-councillor made racist slave remark

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A FORMER Pembrokeshire councillor was found to have made racist comments in a recorded audio message, according to an investigation by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.

Andrew Edwards, who represented the Haverfordwest Prendergast ward on Pembrokeshire County Council, was identified in a 16-second audio clip in which a man is heard saying white men “should have a black man as a slave or black woman as a slave”. The recording also included a statement that black people were “lower class than us white people”.

Mr Edwards, a former Conservative Party member, stepped down from the council in December 2024 following the allegations. He referred himself to the ombudsman but denied making the comments, claiming the recording was a “deep fake” created using artificial intelligence to manipulate his voice.

However, Public Services Ombudsman Michelle Morris concluded that “on balance”, the voice in the recording was his and that the comments were “considered racist”. The investigation found that the audio message had been sent as a voice note via WhatsApp to his partner.

The ombudsman’s report also revealed that Mr Edwards had shared council business information with his partner through WhatsApp messages, which included disrespectful remarks about members of the public. He admitted to sending the messages, stating that he had been “venting” due to personal pressures at the time.

Ms Morris determined that his actions “could reasonably be considered as disreputable and were capable of seriously undermining public confidence in the council and the office of member”.

The case has been referred to the Adjudication Panel for Wales, which will determine whether Mr Edwards breached the local authority’s code of conduct and if further action should be taken.

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News

Salvation Army urges closer collaboration to tackle homelessness in Wales

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THE SALVATION ARMY has called for greater cooperation between charities and agencies to combat homelessness in Wales, presenting expert evidence to Members of the Senedd.

The Local Government and Housing Committee met to hear from charities working in the sector. The Salvation Army provided testimony based on its experience supporting vulnerable people through homelessness prevention, outreach, and housing services across the country.

Emma Shaw, the Salvation Army’s Assistant Director of Strategic Operations and Development in Wales, stressed the need for better data sharing between the NHS, Criminal Justice System, local authorities, and charities. She said: “Information needs to be shared when we talk about health, the prison system, and those groups involved with hospital discharges and prison releases. We should be working closer together so that we’re not just responding to crises but looking ahead.”

She also highlighted the need for a stronger community focus to support those at risk of homelessness. “Otherwise, the pressures on families being made homeless will increase. The third sector and faith groups have stepped into the gaps for many years, but money and budgets are being stretched,” she added.

The Salvation Army also called for the Homelessness Prevention Grant to be ringfenced, stressing that prevention funding is crucial in reducing homelessness. Shaw pointed to mounting financial pressures on the sector, including rising Employer’s National Insurance contributions and the cost-of-living crisis, while acknowledging the vital role of frontline staff.

Homelessness in Wales has reached record levels, with Welsh Government figures showing 13,000 households categorised as homeless—an eight per cent increase.

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News

Milford Haven Town Council to hold Full Council Meeting on March 24

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MILFORD HAVEN TOWN COUNCIL has announced that it will hold its next Full Council Meeting on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 7:00pm. The meeting will take place at Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets Unit, Unit A, Havens Head Business Park, SA73 3LD. Members of the public are invited to attend in person or remotely, with virtual access available upon request.

Key Issues on the agenda

The meeting’s agenda includes several important topics affecting the local community. One of the most anticipated segments is the Question and Answer Session with Members of the Public, scheduled as Agenda Item 3, allowing residents to raise concerns and seek clarification on council matters. Those wishing to submit questions in advance are encouraged to do so by contacting admin@milfordhaven-tc.gov.wales.

Additionally, the agenda will cover:

  • News updates from the Mayor, Councillor W. Elliott
  • The Mayor’s recent engagements and community activities
  • Reports from councillors on their representation on outside bodies
  • A review of Milford Haven Town Council’s Draft Grants Policy
  • Discussion of the Milford Haven Town Council Risk Assessment

A report from the Public Events Sub-Committee, held on February 24, 2025, is also expected to be discussed, with recommendations and resolutions to be reviewed by the Full Council.

Public participation encouraged

The Town Council is keen to ensure public engagement and transparency in decision-making. Residents who wish to attend the meeting virtually are advised to request access via email. The council encourages public participation, particularly during the Q&A session, where councillors will directly address community concerns.

This meeting follows the previous Full Council Meeting held on March 10, 2025, where the council discussed key policies and community initiatives. Minutes from that session will be reviewed during the upcoming meeting.

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