News

Face-to-face banking a lifeline for older people, says Senedd member

Published

6 months ago

September 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Calls for action as branch closures hit rural Wales

FACE-TO-FACE banking must be protected as a “lifeline” for older people across Wales, a Senedd Member has warned.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice & Equalities, Dr Altaf Hussain MS, raised the issue in the Senedd following the publication of Age Cymru’s What Matters to You? report, which found that access to cash and in-person services remains a major challenge for older residents.

One participant in the study said: “Going to the local bank and everyone tells me to go online. No idea how!” Another added: “My eyes are not good, so I don’t like online banking. My hearing isn’t good, so I don’t hear everything on the telephone. I need face-to-face communications for everything.”

Bank closures across Wales

Dr Hussain told the chamber these stories were not isolated, pointing to the wave of branch closures across the country. Consumer group Which? reports that more than 150 bank branches have shut in Wales since 2015, with towns such as Pembroke, Fishguard and Ammanford losing their local facilities in recent years.

Banks argue that the majority of customers now prefer to bank online or via mobile apps, but critics say this digital shift risks leaving behind thousands of older and vulnerable people.

Access to cash under pressure

Figures from the Financial Conduct Authority show more than five million people across the UK still rely heavily on cash for everyday transactions. At the same time, the number of free-to-use ATMs has been falling sharply, with Link data showing a drop of nearly 13,000 over the last five years.

Age Cymru has warned that many older people use cash as a way of budgeting, and losing access threatens their independence. Poor broadband and mobile coverage in rural areas also means digital-only services are not a realistic alternative.

Alternatives ‘not enough’

Community banking hubs and post offices have been suggested as replacements, but campaigners say they are patchy and cannot fully meet demand. Pilot hubs in South Wales have been well received, yet provision remains limited.

Post offices can handle most banking transactions, but restricted opening hours and long queues have left many questioning whether they are a genuine substitute for high street banks.

‘Not a luxury, a lifeline’

Dr Hussain said: “Too many older people in Wales are being left behind by the rapid shift to online services. Access to cash and face-to-face banking isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifeline.

“The Welsh Government must work with banks and local authorities to ensure older people aren’t excluded or forced into isolation by the loss of vital services. Our older generation deserves dignity, independence, and real choice — not to be dismissed and told to ‘just go online’ when that simply isn’t possible for some people.”

News

Emergency services flood Haverfordwest after reports of body in river

Published

19 minutes ago

March 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Town centre bridges sealed off as multi-agency response continues

A MAJOR emergency response is underway in the centre of Haverfordwest after reports of a body in the River Cleddau.

Multiple police units, fire crews and ambulance teams were called to the scene shortly before 11:00am on Tuesday (Mar 17), with large parts of the town centre sealed off.

The Herald understands that access across both the Old Bridge and the newly installed Instagramable Bridge near by has been restricted while emergency services deal with the incident.

A witness at the scene told The Herald that he was among several members of the public who contacted emergency services after spotting a body in the water.

He said that a significant response followed, including several police vehicles, multiple fire engines, and a specialist water rescue unit.

A rigid inflatable boat (RIB) was also deployed on the river as part of the operation.

An ambulance is also still in attendance.

Emergency services remain at the scene and the situation is ongoing.

There has been no official confirmation from Dyfed-Powys Police at this stage regarding the nature of the incident.

MORE TO FOLLOW

Climate

New deal aims to unlock Wales’ renewable energy potential

Published

5 hours ago

March 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Sector partnership targets 100% renewable electricity by 2035

A NEW deal has been launched to help Wales meet its renewable energy targets while ensuring greater benefits for local communities.

The Renewable Energy Sector Deal will see the Welsh Government and industry work in strategic partnership to unlock the full economic potential of Wales’ renewable energy future.

The announcement coincides with the publication of the latest Energy Generation and Energy Use in Wales report, which shows renewable electricity generation in 2024 was equivalent to 54% of Wales’ electricity consumption.

The Welsh Government has set a target for renewable electricity to meet 70% of demand by 2030 and 100% by 2035. It also aims to deliver at least 1.5 gigawatts of locally owned renewable energy capacity by 2035.

The Sector Deal is intended to accelerate deployment across onshore and offshore wind, solar, marine and hydro projects. It will also focus on strengthening supply chains, developing skills, and ensuring communities across Wales benefit directly from renewable energy developments.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, is launching the deal during a visit to the Morlais tidal energy project on Anglesey.

The Morlais scheme, owned and managed by social enterprise Menter Môn, is set to become the largest consented tidal energy project in Europe. The Welsh Government holds an £8 million equity stake in the project.

Rebecca Evans said: “Our ambition is to become a world leader in renewable energy, creating jobs and green growth to make families in Wales more prosperous and help with the cost of living.

“The current conflict in the Middle East has further highlighted the importance of energy independence. Our Renewable Energy Sector Deal will provide a strong foundation for future delivery, benefiting our economy, environment and energy security.

“The Morlais project shows how sustained partnership can unlock Wales’ natural energy resources and turn them into lasting economic opportunities for local communities and businesses.

“The latest energy report shows we are making progress towards our targets. Combined with the record 20 major renewable projects, totalling 1,400MW, backed in the most recent UK Government Contracts for Difference auction, it is clear we are building a more resilient, renewable-powered future.”

Dafydd Gruffydd, Managing Director of Menter Môn, added: “The Renewable Energy Sector Deal is an important step in accelerating growth in Wales and across the UK.

“It recognises the role marine energy schemes like Morlais can play in strengthening energy security, creating high-quality jobs and delivering long-term economic benefits for communities such as Anglesey.”

The Sector Deal was co-produced by a task and finish group made up of developers and community organisations.

News

Motorcyclist injured in Johnston crash after overtaking lorry

Published

19 hours ago

March 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Rider treated by paramedics following collision with van pulling out from junction

A MOTORCYCLIST was treated by paramedics after a collision with a van in Johnston on Monday morning (Mar 16).

The crash happened shortly after 9.15am as the rider was overtaking a lorry through slow-moving traffic on the main road. It is understood the lorry blocked the rider’s view of a van pulling out from a junction near KO Carpets.

Police units attended promptly to assist at the scene.

The motorcyclist is not believed to have been seriously injured.

The van suffered slight damage, including a broken wing mirror.

The road was not closed, police said.