COUNTY FIFTH HIGHEST IN WALES FOR CASES RECORDED BETWEEN 2020 AND 2025

PEMBROKESHIRE has recorded one of the highest numbers of homelessness applications in Wales linked to relationship breakdown, according to new figures.

Data analysed by family law firm Rayden Solicitors shows that Pembrokeshire County Council received 1,433 homelessness applications where relationship breakdown was recorded as a primary cause between 2020 and 2025.

That places Pembrokeshire fifth highest in Wales, behind Neath Port Talbot, Cardiff, Newport and Carmarthenshire.

The figures also show that Pembrokeshire saw one of the largest increases in Wales over the five-year period, with applications linked to relationship breakdown rising by 35.4%.

Rural pressure

The findings suggest that relationship breakdown is not only a major issue in large urban areas, but is also placing growing pressure on rural and coastal counties such as Pembrokeshire.

Housing pressures in the county are already well documented, with high rents, limited availability, second homes and seasonal demand all contributing to difficulties for local people trying to find somewhere affordable to live.

When a relationship ends, those pressures can become immediate, particularly where one partner has no legal claim to a home, limited savings, or children to care for.

Cohabiting couples

Rayden Solicitors said the issue is especially relevant because more couples are living together without marrying.

Cohabiting families now account for 17.7% of all families in the UK, but unmarried couples do not have the same legal protections as those who are married or in civil partnerships.

Lehna Gardiner, Partner at Rayden Solicitors, said: “Under the current law, cohabitees have limited rights compared to those who are married.

“When married couples divorce, they have significant legal protection within the family law framework. The parties’ and children’s needs are prioritised and the principles of equality and fairness are applied.

“For cohabiting couples, these principles unfortunately do not apply. This specifically leaves the financially weaker party in a vulnerable position in the event of a break-up.”

Wales ranking

Across Wales, 15,780 homelessness applications linked to relationship breakdown were recorded between 2020 and 2025.

Wales ranked second among the regions analysed, behind only the North West of England.

Neath Port Talbot recorded the highest Welsh total, with 2,712 applications, followed by Cardiff with 1,667, Newport with 1,619, Carmarthenshire with 1,480, and Pembrokeshire with 1,433.

Legal warning

Rayden Solicitors said couples living together should consider taking steps to protect themselves, particularly when buying property or sharing financial commitments.

The firm said cohabiting couples should ensure property ownership reflects their intentions, consider a cohabitation agreement, and keep wills up to date.

The study was based on Freedom of Information responses from councils across England and Wales. Councils were asked to provide the number of homelessness applications where relationship breakdown was recorded as a primary cause between 2020 and 2025.

JONATHAN GRIMES has said he is “incredibly proud and deeply honoured” after becoming the 647th Mayor of Pembroke.

Cllr Grimes, county councillor for Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, thanked those who had placed their trust and confidence in him.

He said: “With the support, commitment and dedication of Pembroke Town Council and our wonderful community, I am confident we can meet every challenge together, celebrate our successes, and continue building a brighter and more inclusive future for Pembroke.

“It is a true privilege to serve as Mayor, and I look forward to working alongside the people of Pembroke in the months ahead.”

Cllr Grimes said he was also looking forward to attending this afternoon’s service at St Mary’s Church in Pembroke for the Blessing of the Bells.

He added that he hoped to meet as many people as possible as the town celebrates the return of the historic bells.

A PETITION call to Pembrokeshire councillors, which raises concerns at the “hefty funds” needed to support its commitment to net zero, will be heard at full council next week.

Last July, councillors agreed to set up a group to review its own decision to declare a climate emergency some seven years ago.

In May 2019, the council declared a climate emergency following a notice of motion by Cllr Joshua Beynon calling on the authority to back the global consensus that climate change poses a risk to the well-being of future generations.

He had urged county councillors to back a motion to take “bold, decisive action” to fight “truly, catastrophic” climate change, with the council to committing to becoming a zero-carbon local authority by 2030.

At the July 2025 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, a successful notice of motion by the late Cllr Mike Stoddart called for the establishment of a working group to review that decision.

That led to a recent petition, by Lynda Duffill of West Wales Climate Coalition, which attracted 725 signatures, calling on the council to reaffirm its Declaration of a Climate Emergency, and retain the ambition to deliver Net Zero Council operations by 2030.

That petition was considered at the October 2025 meeting of full council; members agreeing the working group be asked to ensure the petition is included as evidence in its consideration of the matters referred to it by the council resolution in July 2025.

That has now led to a further petition, concerned at a potential increase in council tax from a re-affirmation of a Declaration of a Climate Emergency.

The latest e-petition, on the council’s own website, created by Carolyn Ellis, read: “We call upon all elected members of Pembrokeshire County Council to support and to take seriously the working group tasked with the review of the ‘climate emergency’ called in 2019 (by the-then 21-year-old councillor Joshua Beynon) and to question the hefty funds needed to spend on ‘net zero’.

“We refer to the recent petition by the West Wales Climate Coalition which purports to speak for the residents and council tax-payers of Pembrokeshire.

“There is potentially a far higher number of residents who do not share this unsubstantiated view and who are extremely concerned about the potential for huge hikes in council tax, especially if this tax is linked in future to the carbon efficiency of homes and businesses.

“This was hinted at as a possible lever for encouraging ‘compliance’ with decarbonising homes in the ‘Better Homes, Better Wales, Better World’ report. Therefore, not only could we be faced with more taxes, but also inevitable deterioration in service provision by PCC.”

The current petition ran to March 26 and attracted 753 signatures; any petition of over 500 triggers a debate at full council, the petition due to be heard at the May 14 meeting.