News

Eluned Morgan challenges Plaid Cymru over manifesto costings

Published

2 months ago

April 30, 2026

WELSH LABOUR LEADER SAYS PARTIES MAKING “BIG PROMISES” MUST EXPLAIN HOW THEY WILL PAY FOR THEM

WELSH Labour leader Eluned Morgan has challenged Plaid Cymru to publish its manifesto costings, claiming voters deserve to know how election promises would be paid for.

With one week to go until polling day on Thursday (May 7), Baroness Morgan addressed Labour activists in Barry on Thursday (Apr 30), where she said she had written to Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth calling on him to set out his party’s figures.

Welsh Labour has published its own costings and said the document shows “what we’ll spend, what we won’t, and how we’ll pay for it.”

Baroness Morgan said: “In uncertain times, people don’t want chaos, they want stability and seriousness. They want a government that gets up every day and gets on with the job. That’s what we offer. And today, I’ve shown how we’ll do it.

“We’ve published our full costings, clear for everyone to see. What we’ll spend, what we won’t, and how we’ll pay for it. And I’ve written to Rhun ap Iorwerth to do the same.

“Because if you’re making big promises on childcare or spending, you should be honest about the cost and you should be honest about how you’ll still fund fair pay for the people who keep our public services running.

“Because if the sums don’t add up, it’s working people who pay the price.”

Welsh Labour claimed its analysis of Plaid Cymru’s spending plans showed the party would need to impose pay freezes or cuts affecting almost all of the 350,000 people working in the public sector in Wales over a four-year period.

The party said this could affect nurses, teachers, refuse workers, school support staff, civil servants, local government officers and third-sector organisations delivering services on behalf of the Welsh Government.

Labour also criticised Plaid Cymru’s support for Welsh independence, claiming it would risk “years of constitutional upheaval and economic uncertainty” at a time of global instability.

Baroness Morgan said the election was about “serious choices” and argued that Labour was offering “a new chapter for Wales.”

She added: “We’re not starting from scratch, but building on what we’ve already done. Going further, faster, fairer. A Wales where you can feel it. In secure work and fair pay, in a warm home you can afford, and in the chances your children have. Because that’s the test. Not what we say; what you feel.

“So, with one week to go, this is what I’m asking: don’t take a risk on Wales when the stakes are this high. Let’s finish what we’ve started. Let’s keep moving forward, together. Let’s open a new chapter, with fairness you can feel.”

Local Government

Major improvement works completed at Fleming Crescent

Published

2 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NEW roofs, structural upgrades and solar panels have been installed across three residential blocks at Fleming Crescent as part of a major housing improvement scheme.

Pembrokeshire County Council said the project has delivered safer, warmer and more energy-efficient homes for residents, with the full replacement of roofs serving 54 flats.

The works also included structural improvements designed to support the long-term performance of the buildings, alongside the installation of solar panels to help improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and lower energy costs for tenants.

The council received a funding contribution from the Welsh Government through the Optimised Retrofit Programme, which supports energy-efficiency improvements alongside wider investment works.

The scheme was completed on schedule, with W B Griffiths & Son Ltd appointed as the main contractor.

Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Michelle Bateman said: “Delivering a project of this scale on schedule is a significant achievement.

“The new roofs and external upgrades will help reduce future maintenance issues and improve the long-term resilience of the buildings, while the solar panels form an important part of our wider decarbonisation programme.

“By working closely with W B Griffiths & Son Ltd, we have delivered high-quality improvements that will benefit tenants both now and in the future.

“Pembrokeshire County Council continues to invest in housing improvements across the county, ensuring homes remain safe, modern, energy efficient and fit for the future.”

The project has also received national recognition after being shortlisted for a Constructing Excellence in Wales Award.

Neil Griffiths, Managing Director of W B Griffiths & Son Ltd, said: “We are proud to have delivered this important project at Fleming Crescent to a high standard and within the agreed timescales.

“The combination of full roof replacement and solar panel installation will provide long-term value, improve the performance of the buildings and support better outcomes for residents.

“It has been a pleasure to work in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council on this scheme.”

News

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

Published

15 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

15 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.