News

Winter fuel rethink ‘not enough’ as charities and Welsh Tories slam lack of clarity

Published

7 months ago

May 21, 2025

Starmer’s partial U-turn on support payments met with calls for full reinstatement amid fears older people could face another cold winter

PRIME MINISTER Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed a partial U-turn on the government’s controversial changes to Winter Fuel Payments—but the announcement has been criticised by campaigners and the Welsh Conservatives as insufficient and lacking in detail.

During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday (May 21), Sir Keir hinted at a policy reversal, saying more pensioners could once again become eligible for the benefit this winter. His comments follow months of criticism after last year’s decision to restrict access to the Winter Fuel Payment, which removed automatic eligibility for millions of older people.

The benefit, long intended to help pensioners cover the cost of heating during the coldest months, is seen as vital in rural and colder areas of Wales, where fuel poverty is a growing concern. But campaigners and politicians say the Prime Minister’s remarks leave too many questions unanswered.

Age Cymru Chief Executive Victoria Lloyd welcomed the indication of a policy shift but warned that clarity and urgency are essential.

“We welcome the Prime Minister’s comments and commitment to change,” she said. “However, the detail is needed so we can be confident that any policy change is going to support those older people that we know are struggling without this vital payment.”

Ms Lloyd said Age Cymru had seen the real-world consequences of last year’s changes: pensioners too afraid to heat their homes, resulting in misery and serious health risks.

“Means-testing Winter Fuel Payments in the way the UK Government announced last summer resulted in many pensioners on low incomes missing out on money they simply couldn’t afford to lose,” she added.

The charity is particularly concerned about older people who are not claiming Pension Credit despite being eligible, those whose incomes place them just above the threshold, and individuals with health conditions that make cold homes especially dangerous.

“We will judge the success of any new policy proposals by the extent to which they help vulnerable older people and those on low and modest incomes to heat their homes adequately next winter,” Ms Lloyd said. “Winter is only six months away—there is no time to waste.”

The announcement has also drawn criticism from the Welsh Conservatives, who described the Prime Minister’s statement as “too little, too late.”

Samuel Kurtz MS, Senedd Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire (Pictured), said: “Supporting our pensioners through the coldest months of the year should never have been in question. While today’s words from the PM are a step in the right direction, it simply doesn’t go far enough—we need a full U-turn to restore confidence and ensure no pensioner is left behind.”

Mr Kurtz reiterated the Welsh Conservatives’ pledge to introduce a dedicated Welsh Winter Fuel Payment if elected to government in Cardiff Bay. He said a devolved approach could deliver more targeted support for communities in Wales, where rural areas often face higher heating costs due to poor insulation and off-grid fuel reliance.

“Despite today’s announcement, the job is not done. We’ll keep up the pressure until a fair and comprehensive system is in place,” he added.

The Herald understands that further clarification on the scope and delivery of the Prime Minister’s revised Winter Fuel Payment policy is expected in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Age Cymru has called for the introduction of a social energy tariff as a longer-term solution—but warned that immediate financial support is needed to prevent another crisis for older people this winter.

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

1 minute ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Crime

Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood

Published

6 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.

SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST

Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.

COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION

Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.

Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.

She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.

The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.

Local Government

Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works

Published

1 hour ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure

SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.

County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.

“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.

Urgent works underway

Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.

Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.

Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.

Further updates are expected later this week.