News

Welsh budget talks: First meeting ‘constructive’, with further meetings planned

Published

5 months ago

October 22, 2025

FIRST MINISTER Eluned Morgan MS met on Tuesday (Oct 21) with Welsh Conservative Leader Darren Millar MS for an initial discussion on next year’s Welsh Government budget. Millar described the first meeting as “constructive”, and both sides have agreed to hold further, more detailed discussions in the coming weeks.

The Welsh Labour Government is operating without an outright majority in the Senedd, meaning it will require additional votes from outside its own benches to pass the budget. The draft budget under discussion for 2026–27 is expected to stand at around £27 billion.

The First Minister has warned that failing to pass a budget could lead to cuts in frontline services, while opposition parties have called for a more focused approach on economic growth and cost-of-living support.

Conservative proposals

Ahead of the meeting, Darren Millar wrote to the First Minister to say that while he “cannot support a ‘more of the same’ approach to the Welsh Government’s spending plans,” a budget deal “may be possible” if certain Welsh Conservative priorities are considered.

Among those priorities is the scrapping of the Land Transaction Tax—the Welsh equivalent of stamp duty—for all primary residential properties, a move the Conservatives argue would help first-time buyers and boost the housing market.

Millar said: “I am grateful to the First Minister for a constructive first meeting on next year’s budget. We have agreed to meet again to engage in more detailed budget discussions in the coming weeks. I will continue to work hard to seek a budget deal that puts the people of Wales first and gets our economy moving again.”

What happens next

Further negotiations are expected over the coming weeks as both sides explore detailed spending lines and priorities. The Senedd is due to debate the draft budget on 16 December, with the final version to be laid on 20 January and a vote scheduled for 27 January.

With the Welsh Government’s narrow position in the Senedd, the outcome of the forthcoming Caerphilly by-election—triggered by the death of Labour MS Hefin David—could prove critical in determining whether Labour will need to secure cross-party backing to pass its budget.

Crime

Man sentenced for stalking Milford Haven woman

Published

36 minutes 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

49 minutes 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.