News

New transport plan to tackle youth job access crisis announced

Published

1 year ago

June 18, 2025

Skates says public transport overhaul will connect people to work, drive growth

AMBITIOUS new plans to overhaul public transport across North Wales will help young people who are being “cut out of the jobs market” due to poor connectivity.

That’s the pledge from Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport, who will outline the details of the Network North Wales programme during a business leaders’ breakfast in Wrexham later this month.

Mr Skates, who is also the Senedd Member for Clwyd South, will address the Wrexham Business Professionals at the city’s Maesgwyn Hall on Friday (June 27), where he will set out the Welsh Government’s vision for a fully integrated and reliable transport system across the region.

According to Mr Skates, a lack of accessible and dependable public transport is preventing many young people from taking up jobs.

“There are still a huge number of job offers being turned down because people simply can’t get there,” he said. “That has to change. Public transport isn’t just about moving people from A to B — it’s about tackling inequality and unlocking economic growth.”

One stark example was raised at the group’s meeting last July, when Rachel Clacher, co-founder of communications giant Moneypenny, described how a young woman from Gwersyllt faced a four-hour daily commute for an eight-mile journey to Wrexham Industrial Estate — all due to infrequent and poorly connected buses.

Mr Skates said the new transport initiative will directly address such barriers.

“We’re introducing new legislation to regulate the bus network and designing services to better connect communities with employment centres like Wrexham Industrial Estate and Deeside Industrial Park,” he said.

Network North Wales will form part of the Flintshire and Wrexham Investment Zone, with bespoke improvements planned in close collaboration with Transport for Wales, Wrexham Council and Flintshire Council.

Other immediate improvements include:

A 50% increase in rail services across North Wales starting in May 2026.
Doubling services between Wrexham and Chester from next May.
Work beginning on a direct Wrexham–Liverpool line, aiming for four metro-style trains per hour within a decade.
Upgraded train stations and more frequent services between Wrexham and Bidston.
A £1 bus fare cap for 16 to 21-year-olds across Wales starting in September.

Mr Skates said: “Public transport should be seen as the third public service. It must serve everyone — not just the few. The changes we’re making will better connect people to jobs, training, and opportunities.”

He also praised the work of Wrexham Business Professionals for championing the local economy: “There’s something magical happening in Wrexham right now, but this group has been a solid supporter of the community for years.”

Ian Edwards, a senior member of the group, welcomed the reforms.

“We all know the current system doesn’t work — you can’t have just one bus an hour to serve a major industrial estate,” he said. “We need something that’s frequent, reliable, and fit for purpose.”

Fellow member Louise Harper added: “The June 27 meeting will be an opportunity for business leaders to hear how this major investment in transport can benefit both companies and workers. We’d encourage everyone to attend.”

Guest speakers at the event will include Laura Hall, managing director of Holt-based Maverick Diagnostics, and Amanda Davies from Wrexham Council, who is leading the city’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2029.

Photo caption:
Transport overhaul: Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport (Pic: Mandy Jones)

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

4 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

4 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.