News

Sioned Williams sets out new plan to tackle child poverty in Wales

Published

2 months ago

June 9, 2026

THE DEPUTY First Minister has promised a new approach to tackling poverty in Wales, with expanded childcare, a Welsh Child Payment pilot and a new child poverty plan with clear targets.

Sioned Williams, the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Equality, used her first oral statement to the Senedd to outline the new Welsh Government’s priorities.

She said the government’s work would be built around “respect, solidarity and fair play”, with a focus on reducing poverty, tackling inequality and building safer and more united communities.

Childcare expansion

One of the main commitments is a major expansion of funded childcare.

The Welsh Government says work has already begun on what it describes as a “transformational” childcare offer, which it claims will become the most generous in the UK.

An expert steering group has now been appointed to help guide the rollout. Its work will focus on phased delivery, workforce planning, improving access for families and simplifying the application process.

The government is already working with local authorities to speed up the delivery of 12.5 hours of funded childcare for all two-year-olds.

The longer-term aim is to provide 20 hours of funded childcare each week for all children aged from nine months to four years.

Welsh Child Payment

Progress has also been announced on Cynnal, the Welsh Child Payment pilot.

An expert group will be set up as part of the government’s first 100 days plan. It will be co-chaired by Sioned Williams and Steffan Evans, chief executive of the Bevan Foundation.

The Welsh Government says the scheme will form part of a wider effort to support families with the cost of living and reduce child poverty.

New poverty plan

Ms Williams said ministers would work with partners to develop a new child poverty plan, including targets, benchmarks and milestones.

That is intended to address criticism of the previous Welsh Government, including concerns raised by the Children’s Commissioner for Wales that past anti-poverty work lacked clear measures of success.

The Deputy First Minister said: “This new government has been left with a legacy of stubbornly high levels of child poverty – I am determined to change that.

“We are committed to reducing poverty and improving life chances for children and families with an ambitious new child poverty strategy which reflects what the sector has been asking for – clear targets, benchmarks and milestones.

“Our childcare offer is the most ambitious in the whole of the UK and I’m pleased that work to deliver it in line with our First 100 Days Plan is progressing well, including establishing an Expert Group that will drive the work forward.

“Our priorities set a clear and deliverable course of action that will lead to tangible results across Wales. They are tightly and clearly focused on the pressures people living in Wales face, the support they need, and the kind of nation we want to build together across all parts of Wales.”

Wider priorities

The Deputy First Minister also said work would continue across government to tackle violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Marking Pride Month, she also spoke about the contribution of LGBTQ+ people and said dignity, respect and inclusion would remain central to the government’s approach.

The expert group on childcare will be chaired by the Deputy First Minister. Members include Dr Su Min Lee of London Economics, Dr Lowri Vaughan Brown from the Association of Directors of Education in Wales, Sharon Davies from the Welsh Local Government Association, representatives from Cwlwm including Catrin Edwards of Mudiad Meithrin, and Gemma Halliday from Social Care Wales.

Community

Family pays tribute to ‘loving father’ who died after A487 motorcycle crash

Published

50 minutes ago

July 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE FAMILY of a 30-year-old father who died following a motorcycle crash near Aberystwyth have described him as a much-loved partner, relative and friend who will be “sadly missed by so many people”.

Matthew Sims, known to his family and friends as Matt, was seriously injured in a single-vehicle collision on the A487 at Blaenplwyf on the morning of Saturday, July 11.

The crash, involving a blue Suzuki motorcycle, happened at around 7am as Mr Sims was travelling to work.

He was taken by air ambulance to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, where he died on Thursday, July 16.

No other vehicles were involved in the collision.

Mr Sims, who was from Lampeter, leaves behind his partner Katie and his daughters, Emma and Beca.

In a tribute released through Dyfed-Powys Police, his family said: “Matt passed away on Thursday 16th July 2026 at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, following a motorcycle accident on the Aberystwyth road on his way to work on the morning of Saturday 11th July 2026. No other vehicles were involved.

“He was a loving father to his daughters Emma and Beca and partner to Katie.

“He had a wide circle of family and friends and will be sadly missed by so many people.

“Rest in peace Matt.”

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Anyone who was travelling on the A487 near Blaenplwyf at around 7am on July 11, particularly anyone with dashcam footage, is urged to contact the force.

Information can be provided online through the Dyfed-Powys Police website, by emailing [email protected], sending the force a direct message on social media, or calling 101.

The reference to quote is 82 of July 11.

Crime

Driver sentenced for cannabis offences on Cleddau Bridge and in Wolverhampton

Published

5 hours ago

July 24, 2026

Court Reporter

A WOLVERHAMPTON motorist has been disqualified from driving after admitting two separate cannabis-driving offences, including one on the Cleddau Bridge.

Doel Lyons appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (July 23), where he pleaded guilty to both charges.

The first offence took place on December 22, 2025, when Lyons drove a Honda Civic along the A477 Cleddau Bridge at Pembroke Dock.

A blood test showed seven micrograms of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, per litre of blood.

The second offence occurred on March 30 this year, when Lyons drove the same Honda Civic along Tithe Croft in Wolverhampton with cannabis in his blood above the legal limit.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month driving disqualification for each offence and fined Lyons £233 on each charge.

He was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs in relation to each conviction.

The court register does not specify whether the two periods of disqualification are to run concurrently.

Separate allegations that Lyons drove another vehicle while over the cannabis limit and without insurance in Staffordshire in September 2025 remain outstanding.

No pleas have been entered to those charges, which were adjourned for a plea hearing at Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court on July 29.

Crime

Pembrokeshire teenager given referral order after shoplifting spree

Published

5 hours ago

July 24, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE teenager has been given a 12-month referral order after admitting a string of shop thefts and damaging a police vehicle.

The youth appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (July 23), where guilty pleas were entered to 11 theft offences committed between April and June.

The offences involved shops in Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and Neyland, with alcohol targeted in the majority of the incidents.

Items stolen included BuzzBall alcoholic drinks, vodka, cans of Red Bull, crisps, chewing gum and a sandwich.

The court heard that several of the thefts took place at retail parks in Haverfordwest and Milford Haven, while others occurred at stores in Neyland and Milford Haven town centre.

The individual also admitted causing £180 worth of damage to a Dyfed-Powys Police vehicle in Neyland on June 26.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month referral order, which will require the teenager to work with the Pembrokeshire Youth Offending Team and comply with a contract agreed with a youth offender panel.

Compensation totalling £336.77 was ordered in relation to the stolen property and damage to the police vehicle. The teenager’s guilty pleas were taken into account.

The court imposed reporting restrictions under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. Nothing may be published which could identify the youth.