NATURAL Resources Wales (NRW) has updated a flood alert for the Pembrokeshire coast, warning that flooding is possible between St Dogmaels, Cardigan and Amroth over the next two days.

The alert, which covers the stretch of coast from St Dogmaels down to Amroth, was first issued on Friday (Dec 5) and was updated around midday today (Sunday, Dec 7). NRW says the risk comes from a combination of high tides, large waves and unsettled weather, with the greatest impacts currently expected around Tuesday’s tides.

Flooding of low-lying land and roads is expected around the time of each high tide on Monday (Dec 8) and Tuesday (Dec 9). A further spell of wet and windy weather is also expected to keep river and surface water levels high across parts of south-west Wales.

Residents in coastal communities and estuary areas are being urged to be prepared and to take some simple precautions. NRW’s advice includes:

What people are being urged to do

• Follow your household flood plan if you already have one.
• Check where your loved ones and pets are, and think about how you would move them to safety if water starts to rise.
• Move sentimental items, important documents and valuables to higher shelves or upstairs where possible.
• Keep your mobile phone charged and switched on so you can receive warnings and updates.
• Make sure you know how to turn off your electricity, gas and water supplies.
• Pack a small grab-bag in case you need to leave home in a hurry – including medication, phone and charger, warm clothing, baby and pet supplies, sanitary products and insurance documents.
• Consider moving cars, livestock and equipment away from low-lying or exposed areas that are likely to flood.

What not to do:

Officials are again stressing that people should not drive or walk through floodwater. Just 30 centimetres (around one foot) of fast-moving water can move a car, and as little as 15 centimetres can knock an adult off their feet.

• For the latest official information on this alert, residents can visit the NRW flood warning page for the Pembrokeshire coast (area code 102WABT02), or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 and use quick dial number 503013.
  

Up-to-date river, rainfall and sea level data is also available via the ‘river, rainfall and sea data’ pages on the Natural Resources Wales website.

Government invests £820m to tackle rising youth unemployment, with targeted support across south-west Wales

YOUNG people on Universal Credit in West Wales will be offered new training and work experience placements in sectors such as construction, hospitality, and health and social care, as part of a UK Government drive to bring down rising youth unemployment.

The programme – funded from the £820m announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in last month’s Budget – will create 350,000 training and work-experience places across the UK, and guarantee 55,000 jobs in areas judged to be most in need from spring 2026. South-west and south-east Wales are among the regions singled out for focused support.

Ministers say the measures aim to move young people aged 16–24 off long-term benefits and into stable work. Almost one million young people across the UK are currently classed as NEET (not in education, employment or training), a figure that has been rising steadily since 2021.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said the new pathways would give out-of-work young people “a fair chance to make something of their lives”. The support will include a dedicated work session for every claimant aged under 25, followed by four weeks of intensive coaching before they are placed on one of six routes: paid work, work experience, an apprenticeship, wider training, classroom learning, or a workplace-based training scheme with a guaranteed interview.

Focus on sectors vital to the West Wales economy

For West Wales – where seasonal work, rural isolation and limited transport links have long affected youth employment – the concentration on construction, hospitality, and social care is likely to be significant. These industries remain major employers across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, with businesses regularly reporting difficulties recruiting local staff.

The Herald understands that officials expect more than 1,000 young people nationally to move into jobs within the first six months, with additional programmes promised as the government prepares to publish its national youth strategy.

Political dispute over the impact

The Conservatives accused the Chancellor of “driving youth unemployment up” through recent tax decisions, claiming the new scheme “gives with one hand while taking with the other”. However, ministers insist the investment represents a “downpayment on young people’s future” and will help address the rise in long-term sickness and disability among under-25s – one of the biggest barriers to work.

Further announcements are expected next week, including new details on the government’s pledge to make apprenticeships for under-25s at small and medium-sized businesses completely free.

Funding to strengthen film, TV and publishing sectors

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has announced a further £2.5 million for Wales’ creative industries, delivering fresh investment for the film and television sector and extra support for publishers facing ongoing financial pressures.

Creative Wales currently supports more than 3,500 businesses, employing over 35,000 people. The latest figures show the industry generated £1.5 billion in turnover during 2023 – up more than ten per cent on the previous year.

The additional funding comes shortly after the Government confirmed £2 million for Bad Wolf to deliver two new high-end TV productions, a move expected to generate £30 million of economic activity in Wales.

Since Creative Wales was launched, the Welsh Government has now committed £33.8 million across 70 productions, resulting in £419.7 million of investment back into the Welsh economy.

Wales’ creative strengths were showcased this week at the Wales Investment Summit, and again on Friday when the British-Irish Council placed “Creative” at the centre of its discussions.

Culture Minister Jack Sargeant said Wales had every reason to be proud of its creative talent.

He said: “The creative industries are a real success story for Wales. Whether it’s actors, storytellers, musicians, animators or games developers, our creative industries consistently put our nation on the global stage.

“Not only is the industry an important economic driver, but we are fostering the next generation of creatives by incentivising training and apprenticeship opportunities. We are committed to nurturing talent, supporting creative businesses and encouraging the creation of high-quality content that stands tall among other countries.”