News

Haverfordwest: Demonstration planned to seek Crabb’s resignation as Mencap patron

Published

10 years ago

March 28, 2016

PEMBROKESHIRE People’s Assembly Against Austerity are organising a demonstration outside Stephen Crabb’s office on Saturday, April 2.

Organisers have said they plan for the demonstration to take place between 1100HRS and 1300HRS in Market Street, Haverfordwest.

Activists will be demanding that Mr. Crabb recognises what they view as “public opinion” and resigns as Pembrokeshire Mencap’s patron.

Stephen Crabb recently voted to cut ESA by £30 for some disabled people.

Despite not going forward with the announced cuts to PIP and announcing there will be no further welfare cuts, Mr Crabb has stood by the cut to ESA appearing to suggest that placing claimants on the lower JSA rate would be to their benefit, but failing to take account of the purpose of ESA to support those with additional support needs for finding work.

Mr Crabb remains an unabashed apologist for benefits cuts, and even his assurance that no further benefit cuts will take place before 2020 is potentially moot. If benefits are frozen, for example, their value will reduce in real terms.

Organisers say the reason for the demo is that as there has been no statement from Stephen Crabb’s office, nor Mencap Pembrokeshire indicating that Crabb is to resign as Mencap patron. They say that they have no other option but to press ahead with the demonstration.

An online petition calling for Mr Crabb to resign as patron of Mencap Pembs is close to reaching 12,000 signatures

Jim Scott, who started the petition told The Herald: “There is now overwhelming pressure from all quarters for Crabb to resign this post. The Mencap Facebook page has been inundated with comments requesting that Crabb be removed as their patron.

“A great many people have written and emailed Mencap locally as well as nationally.

“Many people have even said that they will be withholding their donations until this matter is resolved.

“The petition continues to grow.

“Public pressure as well as the efforts of DPAC (Disabled People Against Cuts) has already forced four MP’s to resign their patronages of other disability charities.

“It is just a matter of time now. Mr Crabb simply cannot and will-not get away with voting in Westminster for cuts such as the ESA cut which is a ‘done-deal’ now for Mr Crabb and cannot be ‘undone’ .

“Yet then masquerade as some kind of champion for disabled people while back in Pembrokshire, his game is up! These cuts have already caused widespread poverty, destitution, homelessness and many suicides among our most vulnerable and deserving members of society. Crabb, and all other ESA voting MP’s simply have to go.”

Romayne Phoenix, National Co-Chair of The People’s Assembly said: “With Iain Duncan Smith’s resignation and the government forced to backtrack on Osborne’s disastrous budget, there are many more British people now recognising the hypocrisy of having Tory patrons of these disability charities & charities which focus on care.

“The pressure is on – and Crabb’s appointment looks to have been a mistake made in a hurry that the `Tories will regret for a long time.”

Natalie Bennett – Green Party leader has publically signed the petition. Bennett was joined in by Alice Hooker Stroud – Wales Green Party leader, Chris Overton – Withybush Hospital campaigner and Kay Dearing of SOS (Save our Sixth Forms Pembrokeshire).

Organisers say that organisations who have been invited to Saturdays demonstration include, National People’s Assembly Against Austerity, DPAC (Disabled People Against cuts) and other local disability groups, Wales Green Party, Plaid Cymru, The Labour Party, The Green Party, The Lib-Dems, Plaid for Pride, Welsh Green Pride, TUSC and others.

graphitti

Last week Stephen Crabb MP posted on his Facebook page following an act of criminal damage to his office in Haverfordwest.

He wrote: “A few days ago my constituency office was vandalised in response to my recent vote to approve changes to the Employment Support Allowance (ESA). This was not an isolated attack as other MPs offices were targeted by individuals involved in a social media campaign.

“I’m disappointed that some individuals choose to do this instead of making an appointment to see me to discuss their concerns. Sadly all these individuals achieved on Saturday was to create an inconvenience to my office staff, local residents, and the Police. There are lots of ways to communicate to convey concerns but criminal damage just isn’t an option.

“There has been a lot of miscommunication about this vote which I want to put right. A decision was taken by MPs to change the benefit awarded to a specific group of people who receive Employment Support Allowance. These people are in the Work Related Activity Group (WRAG) and they do have a disability or illness but are considered able to work with support in the future.

“The overwhelming majority of people in this group say they want to work, and so I think it is right that we do all we can to help them get back into work. The changes mean that this group will now access the same level of benefit as those on Job Seekers Allowance, but will be given better tailored support to help them into employment. It doesn’t affect anyone who is already claiming ESA, they will receive the exactly the same amount of benefit as they do now.

“The truth is that not all disabilities prevent people from working. A great many disabled people get enormous fulfilment from being in work. They would be extremely offended not to be considered equal in the job market, and this benefit change means that more people will be able to take these important steps from being benefit-dependent to the workplace.

“Of course we absolutely continue to protect those who are ‘too ill to work’. There is no question about that. Those with the most severe health conditions and disabilities will quite rightly continue to get a higher rate of benefit and support. And despite the political banter from Labour, the disability budget is actually going to be rising by more than £1 billion over the next 5 years which means that more money is being spent in real terms on support for disabled people than at any point under the previous Labour government.”

Business

British Business Bank-backed firms to deliver ‘£300m boost’ to Welsh economy

Published

31 seconds ago

July 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Finance provided during 2025/26 is expected to help create 1,300 jobs and support more than 17,000 existing roles across Wales

SMALL businesses receiving British Business Bank-backed finance are forecast to generate an additional £600m in turnover and contribute £300m to the Welsh economy.

The figures, published in the government-owned development bank’s latest annual Impact Report, relate to businesses newly supported during the 2025/26 financial year.

Around 1,400 smaller businesses in Wales received bank-backed finance for the first time during the year.

Over the lifetime of that finance, the businesses are expected to create approximately 1,300 additional jobs while supporting a further 17,200 existing roles.

The forecast £300m increase in economic output represents the gross value added generated from the additional £600m in business turnover.

The bank said one of the main drivers of its activity in Wales had been the £130m Investment Fund for Wales, which was launched to improve access to finance for businesses at different stages of development.

The fund recently passed its second anniversary and has so far invested £37m through more than 102 investments involving 93 Welsh businesses.

Those investments have supported companies across a range of industries while also attracting additional private-sector funding into Wales.

Recent deals include a £3.5m investment in industrial services company Advantiv Limited, the fund’s largest equity investment to date.

The funding is intended to support the company’s expansion, the opening of additional locations across the UK and investment in operational innovation.

The British Business Bank is also supporting a new £6.5m innovation cluster in the Cardiff Capital Region.

The initiative aims to increase equity investment in high-growth businesses operating within the UK Government’s eight priority Industrial Strategy sectors.

Jess Phillips-Harris, director for Wales within the bank’s Local Growth Team, said the report demonstrated the effect that access to finance could have on businesses and communities.

She said: “This year’s Impact Report shows the real difference that British Business Bank support is making to businesses and communities across Wales.

“As the bank’s support continues to grow, we’re backing more businesses across a wider range of sectors, while bringing more private investment into Wales alongside our own funding.

“This is helping innovative companies develop new technologies, manufacturers expand their operations and entrepreneurs turn ambitious plans into long-term growth.”

She added that programmes including the Investment Fund for Wales, Start Up Loans and angel investment initiatives were helping companies grow while supporting skilled employment and local economies.

Across the UK, the British Business Bank supported £9.4bn of finance for smaller businesses during 2025/26.

The bank estimates that the finance will generate £19.7bn in additional turnover, £8.8bn in gross value added and 39,000 additional jobs over its lifetime.

Approximately 87% of the businesses newly supported during the year were based outside London.

The economic impact figures are forecasts based on the expected long-term performance of businesses receiving finance and do not represent turnover or jobs already delivered.

Community

Mum to mark late son’s 40th birthday with 15,000ft charity skydive

Published

2 minutes ago

July 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A GRIEVING mother is preparing to leap from an aircraft at 15,000 feet in memory of her much-loved son, while raising money for two Pembrokeshire organisations close to her heart.

Tina has booked a tandem parachute jump to honour her son, Luke Foster, who died suddenly on March 12, 2024, aged just 37.

Luke would have celebrated his 40th birthday on August 23 this year, and Tina hopes to complete the jump on that date alongside her boss, Sam Warden, who has volunteered to take part with her.

Money raised through the challenge will be divided between Get The Boys A Lift and Windswept Watersports, two not-for-profit community interest companies working to support people in Pembrokeshire.

Tina said: “In honour of my beloved son Luke, who very sadly passed away suddenly, I have booked a tandem parachute jump at a height of 15,000 feet.

“Luke should have been celebrating his 40th birthday on August 23, so I’m hoping it will be possible to jump on the day of his birthday alongside my amazing boss Sam Warden, who has kindly agreed to support me and jump with me.”

Support following Luke’s death

Get The Boys A Lift was established by a group of friends in 2016 and uses income from its Haverfordwest coffee shop, clothing sales and fundraising activities to provide free and easily accessible mental health support.

Tina said the organisation had supported her through an extremely difficult period following the loss of her son.

She said: “After walking into their café in Haverfordwest, then breaking down into floods of tears as soon as I tried to speak, the Get The Boys A Lift staff comforted me with compassion, much-needed hugs and a long chat.

“That then led to them providing me with weeks of counselling.

“If I could raise some funds for them to carry on doing just that for others, I would be so grateful. I know my Luke would have readily approved, as he had suffered badly with his own mental health for many years.”

Accessible watersports facilities

The second beneficiary, Windswept Watersports, works to provide affordable and inclusive watersports activities for people of all ages and backgrounds, with a particular focus on disabled and disadvantaged groups.

Tina has seen the organisation’s work through her employer, Value Independence CIC, whose disabled clients have taken part in activities including paddleboarding and supported sessions in the sea.

Funds raised through the parachute jump will help Windswept Watersports develop a changing area with accessible facilities.

The planned space would provide wheelchair users with a safe and dignified place to change and would include specialist hoisting equipment.

Tina added: “I would be so grateful if people could donate, no matter how big or small, as anything would be greatly appreciated.

“If you are unable to donate, you could still help by sharing the fundraiser far and wide.”

Donations can be made through Tina’s JustGiving page: HERE.

Health

Wales secures £700,000 EU funding boost for digital healthcare innovation

Published

3 minutes ago

July 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Welsh businesses, universities and NHS organisations will be able to develop new technologies and partnerships through the Horizon Europe programme

WALES has secured more than £700,000 in European funding to support the development of new digital healthcare technologies.

The Welsh Government has joined the UNITE European Digital Health Valleys project, marking what ministers say is Wales’ first European Union grant agreement since Brexit.

The funding has been awarded through Horizon Europe, the EU’s main research and innovation programme, which the UK formally rejoined as an associated country in 2024.

Welsh businesses, universities, health boards and innovation organisations will be encouraged to work with partners across Europe to design, test and introduce new digital healthcare products and services.

The programme will focus on major challenges facing health services across Europe, including ageing populations, staff shortages and increasing pressure on frontline services.

Organisations in Wales are now being urged to begin developing potential projects and establishing international partnerships ahead of future funding opportunities.

Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy Adam Price said the agreement would support economic growth while helping NHS Wales adopt new technologies.

He said innovation-led growth, stronger international relationships and improvements to public services were central to the Welsh Government’s economic productivity plans.

Mr Price said: “This major initiative will deliver on all those fronts, with a focus on addressing shared healthcare challenges such as the needs of ageing populations and workforce pressures by connecting industry, healthcare providers, academia and the public sector.”

UNITE brings together regions from across Europe with the aim of creating a connected digital health ecosystem.

The network will allow technology companies, healthcare providers, universities and public bodies to collaborate on the development and deployment of new systems.

As a partner region, Wales will gain access to digital health organisations and potential research partners across Europe.

Ministers believe this could help Welsh organisations compete for further research and development funding while strengthening the country’s position within the international digital health market.

Mr Price added: “As a UNITE partner region, Wales will play a central role in shaping a new digital health innovation ecosystem and gain access to a network of European digital health regions.

“This will open up new opportunities for our most innovative sector organisations to collaborate internationally and access funding.

“Crucially, this will support the adoption of innovative solutions for NHS Wales while strengthening Wales’ position in the global digital health market.”

A free webinar explaining the programme and future opportunities will be held on Thursday, September 3.

Businesses and organisations can also seek further advice through Business Wales.