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Conservatives question Welsh Government’s LGBTQ+ Action Plan

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Party calls for clarity following Supreme Court ruling on single-sex spaces

THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have renewed calls for the Welsh Government’s LGBTQ+ Action Plan to be scrapped, arguing that it conflicts with a recent Supreme Court ruling defining “sex” as biological under the Equality Act 2010.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Dr Altaf Hussain MS

During Spokesperson’s Questions in the Senedd, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Dr Altaf Hussain MS said the plan “muddies the waters” between sexual orientation and gender identity, and accused ministers of failing to align Welsh policy with UK law.

Dr Hussain said: “The Labour Government’s LGBTQ+ Action Plan, as currently drafted, states that ‘trans women are women’, but the law disagrees.
The Welsh Labour Government is hiding behind EHRC guidance, when what is needed are clear instructions to all public bodies in Wales that single-sex spaces must not be used by the opposite sex.
That is why the Welsh Conservatives are clear: it is time to rip up the LGBTQ+ Action Plan and ensure Welsh policy follows the law as set out by the Supreme Court.”

Legal and policy background

The LGBTQ+ Action Plan for Wales, first published in February 2023, sets out a framework to improve equality and inclusion in public services, healthcare and education. It pledges to “defend and promote the rights of trans and non-binary people” and aims to make Wales “the most LGBTQ+-friendly nation in Europe.”

However, the Supreme Court’s judgment in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers (April 2025) ruled that under the Equality Act, “sex” refers to biological sex, not gender identity — meaning that the protected characteristics of “man” and “woman” apply on that basis across England, Scotland and Wales.

In response, the Welsh Government issued a written statement confirming the judgment “makes it clear that the definition of sex … can only be interpreted as referring to biological sex,” but stressed that the decision “does not remove protection from trans people, with or without a Gender Recognition Certificate.”

Reaction and implications

Human rights observers have warned that the ruling could narrow access to certain services for transgender people. The Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights recently warned of “a growing risk of exclusion facing transgender people in the UK.”

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has also said that while the ruling clarifies the law, public bodies must continue to uphold protections for people undergoing or having undergone gender reassignment.

Welsh Government response

In February, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice described the Action Plan as “recognised internationally for the good progress we’ve made.”
She cited a letter from a trans woman in Aberystwyth who wrote: “It’s good that progress is now being made on the LGBTQ+ Action Plan for Wales. … It’s vital that we maintain momentum and the political will to drive it forward.”

The Government has not announced any intention to withdraw or amend the plan following the Supreme Court judgment. Officials have said an external evaluation of its implementation is ongoing and will continue until 2027.

Key points of contention

  • Definition of sex – Conservatives argue that the Plan’s assertion that “trans women are women” conflicts with the legal position confirmed by the Supreme Court.
  • Single-sex spaces – The opposition wants clear guidance to ensure that public bodies in Wales restrict access to single-sex spaces based on biological sex.
  • Ongoing evaluation – The Welsh Government maintains the plan is under review and continues to guide equality work across the public sector.
  • Balance of rights – Rights groups warn that, despite legal clarity, interpretation of the ruling could reduce inclusion for trans and non-binary people in Wales.

The Welsh Conservatives have urged ministers to rewrite the Action Plan so that it explicitly reflects the legal definition of sex and provides “unambiguous guidance” to all public bodies.

The Welsh Government has not yet published any formal response to those calls.

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

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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

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Crime

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

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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.

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Local Government

Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works

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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.

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