News

Labour and Plaid vote down Tory plan on jobs and growth

Published

6 months ago

October 1, 2025

LABOUR and Plaid Cymru Members of the Senedd have voted against a Welsh Conservative motion which set out a package of tax and regulatory changes the party claimed would “boost growth and create jobs.”

The motion, debated on Wednesday (Oct 1), proposed cutting the basic Welsh rate of income tax by 1p, scrapping business rates for small firms, axing the proposed tourism levy before it comes into force, reversing the 20mph default speed limit, and spreading public investment “across the whole of Wales.”

It also urged the UK Government to cancel the planned increase in employers’ National Insurance and to reverse inheritance tax changes affecting family firms.

Welsh Conservative economy spokesperson Samuel Kurtz MS said after the vote: “Only the Welsh Conservatives are putting forward a positive plan to fix our economy.”

Labour and Plaid’s objections

Income tax: Since 2019, the Senedd has set Welsh Rates of Income Tax (WRIT) to match those in England and Northern Ireland. A 1p cut would reduce devolved revenues that directly fund the Welsh budget. Ministers argue this would mean less money for public services.

Business rates: The Welsh Government already provides targeted reliefs, including a 40% discount for Retail, Leisure and Hospitality premises in 2025/26, capped per business. Ministers say abolishing business rates altogether would require cuts elsewhere or new revenue.

Tourism levy: The Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) Act, which gained Royal Assent on September 18, gives councils the option of introducing a small overnight charge from April 2027, with proceeds ring-fenced for local infrastructure. Labour and Plaid say it will help visitor-heavy communities, though no council is obliged to adopt it.

20mph speed limit: Previous attempts to reverse the new default limit have been rejected in the Senedd. Ministers say adjustments will be made to improve implementation, but not a wholesale U-turn.

Wales’s labour market

The latest Labour Market Overview (Sept 16) shows Wales’s employment rate at 70.8%, down 1.4 percentage points on the quarter. Unemployment stands at 4.7%, unchanged. By comparison, the UK employment rate is 75.2%.

The Welsh Government notes employment in Wales has typically trailed the UK average for the past decade.

Parties’ positions in brief

Welsh Conservatives: Say tax cuts and scrapping business rates and the levy would “open Wales for business” and tackle economic inactivity.
Welsh Labour Government: Argues tax cuts would reduce budgets for services and insists existing reliefs already support small firms. It says the levy is optional and designed to reinvest in visitor areas.
Plaid Cymru: Supported the levy through its passage and calls for targeted investment rather than across-the-board cuts.

Outcome

The Senedd rejected the Conservative motion after debate on Wednesday. Official voting records are expected to be published in the coming days.

Crime

Man sentenced for stalking Milford Haven woman

Published

3 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed by Haverfordwest magistrates

A MAN has been sentenced after admitting stalking a woman in Milford Haven.

Andrew Richards, 39, of High Street, Neyland, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

Richards had previously pleaded guilty to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

The court heard that between December 2, 2025 and February 15, 2026, he pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of Tamsin Matthias and which he knew, or ought to have known, amounted to harassment.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until September 8, 2027.

As part of the order, Richards must undertake alcohol treatment for nine months under the direction of the probation service.

He must also complete up to twenty days of rehabilitation activity as directed by probation.

Richards was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £500 compensation to the victim, £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court made a restraining order lasting until September 8, 2027.

Under the order, Richards must not contact the victim directly or indirectly and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material on social media or the internet referring to her directly or indirectly.

The court heard a victim personal statement from the complainant, which was read to the court by the prosecutor.

The case was prosecuted by Dennis Davies, with Richards represented by Mike Kelleher.

The hearing was before magistrates Mrs J Morris, Mr C Pattison and Mr J Steadman.

Crime

Man, 80, sentenced for stalking after campaign of unwanted emails and posters

Published

3 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed after Haverfordwest case

A MAN has been sentenced for stalking after admitting a campaign of unwanted contact and harassment in Haverfordwest.

Michael Lockheart, 80, of Daisy Lane, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

The court had previously heard that between July 27 and September 10, 2025, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to stalking.

The offence involved sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop making contact, putting up defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to the complainant’s GP and local authority.

Lockheart had entered a guilty plea to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, on January 27, 2026.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until March 8, 2028.

As part of that order, Lockheart must undergo non-residential mental health treatment for 12 months under Dr Cormac Duffy, as directed by probation.

He must also complete up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

Lockheart was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, a £600 fine, £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court also made a restraining order lasting until March 8, 2028.

Under that order, he must not seek, approach or communicate with the complainant by any means, directly or indirectly. He must not knowingly enter any address where she is living, and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material online or on social media referring to her directly or by implication.

A victim personal statement was read to the court by the prosecutor.