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Only fair or a silly idea?: Senedd split on calls for 2% wealth tax

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SENEDD politicians have called for a new wealth tax on the super-rich, sparking a fiery debate with the Conservatives who dismissed the notion as a “silly idea”.

Labour’s Julie Morgan set out the case for a wealth tax, saying the UK’s 50 richest families hold more wealth than the bottom half of the entire population – 34 million people.

Leading a two-hour open debate on Wednesday November 19, she said the wealth of the ultra-rich has dramatically increased while ordinary workers have faced prolonged austerity.

Ms Morgan pointed to calls from Patriotic Millionaires UK and Tax Justice UK for an annual levy of 2% of wealth in excess of £10m to raise £24bn a year.

The former minister said a wealth tax would unlock funding to tackle inequality in Wales, with a survey showing 80% of UK-based millionaires support a 2% wealth tax.

Ms Morgan told the Senedd: “The additional money brought in by a UK-wide tax could mean transformative investment in health, housing, education and efforts to eradicate poverty.”

But Sam Rowlands, the Conservatives’ shadow finance secretary, described a wealth tax as impractical to implement and economically damaging as a “tax on success and saving”.

Conservative MS Sam Rowlands
Conservative MS Sam Rowlands

He warned a wealth tax would discourage entrepreneurship, accelerating the relocation of wealthy individuals and their assets to jurisdictions without such a levy.

Criticising the “deeply flawed, internationally rejected” policy, he said France dropped a wealth tax in 2018 after an estimated 40,000 millionaires left the country.

Mr Rowlands told Senedd Members the richest 1% in the UK pay 29% of the taxes collected. “A wealth tax is a populist proposal that is disastrous in practice,” he warned.

His Conservative colleague Gareth Davies said: “Louis XIV’s minister of state once said the art of taxation lay in plucking the goose as to obtain the largest amount of feathers with the smallest amount of hiss. A wealth tax is akin to slaughtering the goose outright.”

Conservative MS Gareth Davies
Conservative MS Gareth Davies

Dismissing the “silly idea” and warning of a “politics of envy”, he said: “The left often scoff at the idea wealthy individuals will simply move their wealth abroad but that is exactly what happens. Since Labour entered office, a millionaire has left the UK every 45 minutes.”

Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymru’s shadow finance secretary, told the Senedd it is no coincidence that countries with a wealth tax, such as Norway, have less inequality.

“The taxation system isn’t working at present,” she said. “The economy is not working for everyone. We need solutions. Carrying on as we are is not going to bring those solutions.”

Plaid Cymru MS Heledd Fychan
Plaid Cymru MS Heledd Fychan

Jane Dodds, the Liberal Democrats’ leader in Wales, warned the gap between wealth and hardship in Wales has never been more stark, with one in three children living in poverty.

She said: “There are around 22,000 people who earn £10m or more. Our proposal for a wealth tax is very simple: just tax above the £10m at 2%. They get to keep £10m every year. Now surely that’s enough to live on, isn’t it?”

Labour’s Mick Antoniw warned the UK is one of the most unequal societies in the developed world, saying: “Inequality, apart from being ethically wrong and immoral, is politically unsustainable. It breeds extremes of poverty, fosters political, social and economic instability.

“It is a danger to democracy and to the rule of law. We are seeing in real time our political system and our democratic processes being bought up by the new class of super-rich.”

Labour MS Mick Antoniw
Labour MS Mick Antoniw

Finance secretary Mark Drakeford poured cold water on a Wales-only wealth tax, arguing it could only work on a UK basis – with the state acting as a “great engine for redistribution”.

The former First Minister said super-wealth is concentrated in London as he made the case for a land value tax instead, telling the Senedd “you can’t move land” unlike other assets.

In recent years, the Welsh Government has been exploring the feasibility of introducing a land value tax as a long-term replacement for council tax and business rates.

Finance secretary Mark Drakeford
Finance secretary Mark Drakeford

Prof Drakeford, who will stand down next year, invoked the spirit of David Lloyd George, noting the former prime minister was the first to put a wealth tax on the statute book.

He recounted how the Welshman proposed a land value tax in the 1909 “people’s budget” –  speaking for four hours, 50 minutes and reportedly pausing only for a cup of beef tea.

David Rees, the Senedd’s deputy speaker, quickly interjected: “You haven’t got four hours,” drawing laughter from the chamber as the debate drew to a close.

 

Business

Rosemarket Dawn Till Dusk golf club 18-hole plans lodged

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A CALL to extend a long-established Pembrokeshire golf club, bringing it up to a full 18 holes, has been submitted to county planners.

In the application, Mr and Mrs Young, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, seek a change of use of land adjoining the Dawn Till Dusk Golf Club, Furze Hill Farm, Bastleford Road, Rosemarket, to form an extension to the existing golf course, along with landscaping and associated works.

A supporting statement through the agent says: “The application seeks full planning permission for the enlargement of the existing golf course to provide an additional six holes, to provide a total of 18 holes.

“The proposal would involve minor landscaping works to the fields and boundaries and the creation of a small number of ponds and bunkers. The extension would be located on land to the west of Furze Hill Farm and on the opposite side of the road to the existing golf course and clubhouse.

“An altered access to the land parcel is proposed as part of this application, which would provide an improved route for users crossing the public highway to avoid conflict with movements at the main entrance.

“The application site exceeds 1ha and therefore the proposal is considered major development necessitating a Pre-Application Consultation prior to formally submitting the planning application to the Local Planning Authority.”

It adds: “The existing golf course has operated in excess of 30 years and is popular with both visitors and locals. Club membership currently stands at approximately 350 and there is demand for enhancing the provisions of the course.

“The applicants’ sons have recently increased their involvement in the enterprise and in recent years wet winter months have necessitated the closure of the course, or parts of it, due to the ground becoming waterlogged, primarily due to the flat nature of the existing course.

“The extension would provide variation to the terrain, providing, dryer conditions, as well as the ability to alternate between the existing and proposed to maintain use, enhancing the viability of the enterprise.”

The application will be considered by Pembrokeshire County Council planners at a later date.

 

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Business

Plans to rebuild arson hit building at farm with one of largest sheep flocks in Wales

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A CALL to rebuild a fire-damaged Pembrokeshire farm building, as a family home to help manage one of the largest sheep flocks in Wales, has been submitted to the national park.

In the application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, D B Davies and Sons through agent Harries Planning Design Management, with a supporting statement by Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd, seek permission to renovate an existing fire-damaged dwelling, together with the conversion and extension of outbuildings to form an agricultural worker’s dwelling at Mynydd Du, Rosebush.

The supporting statement through Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd says Mynydd Du is part of a wider holding which includes Eisteddfa Fawr and land around the village of Brynberian, the farms approximately six km apart, with land under control of the applicant amounting to some 1,500 acres, with a further 3,000 acres of Preseli mountain common land also used; the land accommodating a 5,000-ewe flock with 10 suckler cows and followers.

It says DB Davies & Sons Unlimited, has five partners: the two Davies brothers, Berian and Ken; their wives; and Berian’s son, Dyfed.

Berian and Ken are in their late 70s, with most of the heavy work on the farm is undertaken by Dyfed.

Dyfed and his wife Megan are first language Welsh speakers, living some 10 km away in Nevern, while Berian and Ken, and their wives, live at Eisteddfa Fawr, Brynberian.

The dwelling at Mynydd Du, where most sheep are now wintered, is structurally sound and repairable but has been unoccupied since 1990, and was subject to arson circa 2013, the statement says.

It says Dyfed works full-time on the farm, alone with increasing frequency as the older business members are above retirement age, working “long hours out of necessity to undertake all the work associated with one of the largest flocks of sheep in Wales”.

“His working hours are extended further due to the fact that he lives remote (6kms) from the main block of land at Tyllosg, where Mynydd Du is situated in the centre of the farm. Travelling back and forth several times each day during lambing and other times during poor weather, to check on flock welfare is an arduous task and can be dangerous, particularly if driving when tired during inclement conditions.”

The statement adds: “The application seeks permission to repair the fire damaged dwelling at Mynydd Du and bring it back to serve a useful purpose to enable Dyfed to closely monitor the ewes, not only at lambing, but throughout the year when the flock is grazing on the adjacent common land.

“It will also enable Dyfed to be with his partner and young child on a more regular basis than simply at the end of a long day when he is away from their current home, tending the sheep at Mynydd Du.”

The application will be considered by park planners at a later date.

 

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News

Council unveils plans for new state-of-the-art secondary school in Milford Haven

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PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has revealed plans for a new state-of-the-art school in Milford Haven, promising modern, inspiring learning spaces for children and young people across the community.

A newly released video accompanying the announcement features the First Minister, the local authority’s Deputy Leader, the Cabinet Member for Education and the headteacher, outlining what the development will deliver. The plans include specialist teaching areas, improved accessibility, and high-quality outdoor learning and play spaces.

The project places a strong emphasis on sustainability, incorporating energy-efficient features and modern building standards designed to reduce environmental impact while delivering long-term value.

The scheme forms part of a Strategic Outline Case approval. Any final funding commitment will depend on the project successfully progressing through the full business case process.

Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “This project represents a major investment in our children’s future. The new school will offer a safe, modern and inclusive environment where pupils can thrive, and we are delighted to share this vision with the community as we move towards the next stage of this exciting process.”

First Minister Eluned Morgan added: “This is fantastic news for pupils, parents, teachers and the whole community. Modern learning environments can make a real difference to pupils and staff alike. The Welsh Government has shown its commitment to new schools in Pembrokeshire as part of our wider programme of improving schools and colleges across Wales.”

Speaking on behalf of staff, pupils and governors, Deputy Headteacher Daryl John said the school community was excited by the plans.

He said: “Milford Haven School recently welcomed a visit from the First Minister, along with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, to mark initial progress on proposals for a new, aspirational school building.

“The development will provide inspirational learning and teaching spaces, offering high-quality, ambitious and equitable opportunities for all pupils. It aims to support our young people to thrive, develop their talents and grow into confident, successful individuals, supported by dedicated staff and the wider school community.”

Stephen Thomas, Headteacher at Milford Haven Primary School, said the project had been long awaited.

He said: “This new school building has been long awaited, and I know how much it will mean to our children, staff and the community as a whole in Milford Haven.

“For many years, our community has hoped for facilities that truly reflect the potential, pride and ambition of our children, and now that vision is becoming a reality.

“This is more than just a new building. It is a statement of belief in our young people and in the future of Milford Haven. It will provide modern, high-quality learning environments, improved spaces for wellbeing and inclusion, and facilities that will open up wider opportunities for our pupils and families.

“As Headteacher, I feel incredibly proud and grateful to see this investment in our community. Our children deserve the very best, and this new school will help us continue raising aspirations, strengthening community links and ensuring every child can thrive.”

The council will now begin a period of consultation and engagement with pupils, staff, parents and local residents to ensure the new school reflects the needs and ambitions of the whole community.

 

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