News

Welsh Labour proposes expanding Young Person’s Guarantee

Published

3 months ago

March 14, 2026

WELSH Labour leader Eluned Morgan has pledged to expand the Welsh Government’s Young Person’s Guarantee, promising broader careers support and training opportunities for teenagers if the party forms the next Welsh Government after the Senedd election.

Speaking at Welsh Labour’s Valleys campaign launch at a college in Merthyr Tydfil, Morgan said the programme would be extended so that younger pupils aged fourteen to sixteen could access vocational options, careers advice and work-experience opportunities alongside traditional academic routes.

The Young Person’s Guarantee, introduced by the Welsh Government in 2021, aims to ensure that everyone aged sixteen to twenty-four in Wales is offered support to enter education, training, an apprenticeship, employment or self-employment. Welsh Labour says nearly 64,000 young people have received help through the scheme since it began.

Under the proposed expansion, younger secondary school pupils would gain earlier access to career guidance and vocational pathways.

Morgan told party supporters the approach recognises that young people succeed in different ways.

She said: “Some people do best in classrooms, while others shine when building, designing, fixing or creating. Our job is to open more doors, not close down creativity.”

The proposal forms part of Welsh Labour’s wider plans ahead of the next Senedd election, which also include a Lifelong Retraining Guarantee aimed at helping adults adapt to changes in the labour market driven by technology and the transition to net-zero industries.

Morgan argued that future workers will need opportunities to retrain during their careers.

“Jobs are changing rapidly, especially because of the transition to net-zero and the rise of AI,” she said. “We need to make sure people can learn new skills and move into new roles when industries change.”

Criticism and wider context

Opposition parties have previously questioned whether the Young Person’s Guarantee has delivered measurable long-term employment outcomes, arguing that headline participation figures do not necessarily translate into sustained jobs or apprenticeships.

Youth organisations have broadly welcomed efforts to expand careers support but have also warned that access to quality work placements and training opportunities can vary across Wales, particularly in rural areas.

Labour ministers say the policy complements wider investment in education, skills and infrastructure in the South Wales Valleys.

Morgan pointed to major transport projects including the completed Heads of the Valleys road upgrade and the electrification and modernisation of the South Wales Metro rail network.

She said such investment would help connect communities with jobs and training opportunities.

The Welsh Labour leader also highlighted recent health spending in the region, including a women’s health hub at Ysbyty Cwm Cynon and the development of a regional diagnostic and surgical centre at Llantrisant Health Park.

On environmental safety, Morgan noted that funding has been allocated to address risks from disused coal tips. The UK Government has committed £25 million this year and £118 million over the next three years, alongside £87 million from the Welsh Government, bringing the total investment to more than £230 million.

A new Disused Tips Authority, which will oversee coal tip safety and remediation work, is expected to be based in Merthyr Tydfil.

Morgan said that, after years of tight public finances, the party believes new funding commitments will allow further investment in public services and skills programmes.

She told supporters: “These communities have always adapted and rebuilt. Our job now is to make sure young people can see a future for themselves in the communities they love.”

News

Tenby lifeboat tows yacht to safety after skipper falls ill near Caldey

Published

5 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A YACHT was towed back to Tenby after its skipper became unwell off Caldey Island.

Tenby’s all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch at 1:40pm on Monday (Jun 15), after the coastguard received a call from the occupants of a yacht reporting that the skipper had become ill around one mile south of Caldey Island.

The volunteer crew quickly made their way to the vessel, which had three people and a dog on board.

Once alongside, the lifeboat crew discovered that the skipper was suffering badly from seasickness and that the other two people on board were unable to sail the yacht themselves.

After a full assessment by the coxswain, it was decided that the safest course of action was to tow the yacht back to Tenby. The vessel was drifting with the tide towards Caldey Island and was also considered a potential navigational hazard to other boats.

Two lifeboat crew members were placed aboard the yacht to help set up the tow and to monitor the unwell skipper during the journey back.

After a tow of around an hour, the yacht was placed on the lifeboat mooring in the calmer waters of North Bay.

The lifeboat then returned to station, arriving back at 3:15pm.

Entertainment

Waverley marks 79th anniversary with Pembrokeshire sailings

Published

5 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WORLD’S last seagoing paddle steamer will return to Pembrokeshire this week as Waverley marks the 79th anniversary of her maiden voyage.

The historic vessel will sail from Milford Haven and Tenby on Tuesday (Jun 16), with trips including a daytime cruise around Skokholm, Skomer, St Brides Bay and Ramsey Island from 11:30am to 4:30pm.

There will also be an evening sailing from Milford Haven at 5:00pm, travelling to St Govan’s Head, Caldey Island and along the Pembrokeshire coast, returning at 9:50pm.

Passengers can also join Waverley at Tenby, with sailings to Milford Haven and an evening cruise around Caldey Island and the coast.

On Wednesday (Jun 17), Waverley will make her only Fishguard visit of 2026, with an evening cruise to St David’s Head, passing Strumble Head Lighthouse, from 6:15pm to 9:15pm.

Tickets are available through Waverley Excursions.

Crime

Mid Wales peace activist arrested outside court after Palestine Action ruling

Published

6 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MID WALES peace activist Angie Zelter was arrested outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London after holding a placard in support of Palestine Action.

The 75-year-old campaigner, from Knucklas, Powys, was detained at around 12:20pm on the steps of the court, according to Radnor Palestine Links.

The group said Ms Zelter was arrested under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 after holding a sign which read: “Saving lives is not terrorism. I support Palestine Action.”

She was taken to Charing Cross Police Station and released around two hours later, the group said.

The arrest came as the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the UK Government over its decision to proscribe Palestine Action under terrorism legislation.

The ruling overturned an earlier High Court decision which had found the ban unlawful. The Court of Appeal held that the Government’s decision was lawful and proportionate.

Palestine Action was banned after the Home Secretary moved to proscribe the group under the Terrorism Act 2000. Supporting or inviting support for a proscribed organisation can be a criminal offence.

Radnor Palestine Links said the protest formed part of an ongoing campaign against the use of counter-terrorism laws against peaceful demonstrators.

Ms Zelter, a long-standing peace and human rights campaigner, has been arrested more than 100 times worldwide during decades of non-violent direct action. She is also known as a founder of Trident Ploughshares.

Speaking after her arrest, Ms Zelter said: “I think it’s a terrible indictment of the criminal justice system that you are charging me with terrorism for holding a peaceful sign.

“We have to uphold the most important international laws. Peaceful, disruptive protest is absolutely essential to protect democracy.”

The Metropolitan Police has been asked to confirm the circumstances of the arrest, whether Ms Zelter was formally charged, and the conditions of her release.

Photo caption: Court protest: Angie Zelter outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London holding a sign in support of Palestine Action (Pic: Radnor Palestine Links).