CEREDIGION Preseli MP Ben Lake has called on the UK Government to introduce urgent support for off-grid households and businesses as fuel prices rise sharply amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

Speaking during an economic statement by the Chancellor and in a subsequent meeting with government ministers, Mr Lake urged ministers to introduce support payments for off-grid homes similar to those provided following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He also stressed the need for stronger regulation of the heating oil and LPG markets, bringing them into line with the protections already in place for mains gas customers.

On Monday, the Chancellor said she would support a coordinated release of oil reserves through the International Energy Agency alongside other G7 finance ministers. She also confirmed that the Competition and Markets Authority had been asked to monitor the market closely for any evidence of price gouging during the crisis.

While welcoming these steps, Mr Lake said greater certainty was needed around direct support for rural communities.

Ceredigion Preseli has one of the highest proportions of households not connected to the mains gas grid anywhere in Great Britain. Around seventy-two per cent of homes in the constituency rely on heating oil or LPG to warm their properties.

Some rural households have reported heating oil price increases of up to 117 per cent in recent weeks, with off-grid customers exposed to volatile wholesale markets and lacking the regulatory protections available to mains gas users.

Mr Lake said: “Whilst I welcome the government’s commitment to reconsider the regulation of the heating oil and LPG sectors, such efforts will only provide relief for rural communities in the long term.

“Such is the severity of the situation currently facing off-grid households and businesses that the government must bring forward support measures as a matter of urgency.

“Dozens of constituents have been in contact in recent days to report significant price increases which are simply unaffordable for many.

“The financial consequences of the Iran crisis are being felt acutely across Ceredigion Preseli. Although we all hope for a swift end to hostilities, the prospect of longer-term disruption to supply chains and a prolonged period of high prices risks dealing a severe blow to rural communities.

“I made the case for immediate relief for off-grid households and businesses directly to the Energy Minister and the Financial Secretary to the Treasury during Wednesday’s meeting.

“Along with other MPs representing rural constituencies across the UK, I urged them to consider short-term measures ranging from direct payment support for off-grid properties to temporarily exempting heating oil and LPG from VAT.

“Such measures would not detract from longer-term efforts to introduce stronger regulatory protections, nor from action against any price gouging, but would at least offer some immediate help to households and businesses struggling with higher prices this week.”

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting rural communities with the launch of a new rural and wildlife crime strategy aimed at increasing patrols and strengthening engagement with local people.

The strategy will see rural crime officers increase their visibility across the force area, while building closer relationships with farming communities, landowners and residents. Officers will also attend more community events and offer additional crime prevention visits.

Covering the largest and most rural police force area in England and Wales, Dyfed-Powys Police’s rural crime team works across vast areas of countryside, coastline and farmland. Their work focuses on tackling offences that affect farms, smallholdings, wildlife and historic sites.

Greater visibility by officers is expected to encourage more people to report incidents and share information, helping police gather intelligence and target patrols where they are needed most.

Inspector Matthew Howells of Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Rural crime can often go unreported. We want to strengthen our presence and expand both Farm Watch and Rural Watch schemes to encourage reporting. This will give us better data to shape our patrols and disrupt criminal activity.

“Our rural crime officers will also promote property marking and security measures to help reduce repeat victimisation and deter offenders.”

During 2025, Dyfed-Powys Police recorded 49 reports of livestock theft, along with 42 reports of quad bike theft and 60 reports of heritage crime.

Heritage crime includes offences that damage or exploit historic sites and assets, such as illegal metal detecting, looting or off-roading on protected land.

The most commonly reported rural offence last year was livestock worrying, with 60 incidents reported across the force area.

Chief Constable Ifan Charles recently met members of the farming community to discuss the new strategy and recent updates to livestock worrying legislation.

He was joined by Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn and members of the rural crime team at a farm owned by Anwen Hughes, regional vice-president of the Farmers’ Union of Wales. Also present was Rob Taylor, the Rural and Wildlife Crime Co-ordinator for Wales.

During the visit, the group heard about Ms Hughes’ recent loss of three lambs following a livestock attack and discussed the need to raise awareness of changes to livestock worrying laws. They also explored how the new rural and wildlife crime strategy could better support rural communities.

Chief Constable Ifan Charles said: “The impact of these crimes on rural communities cannot be underestimated. For many people, their homes and livelihoods are closely linked.

“This new strategy puts rural communities at its heart. Policing such vast rural areas presents very different challenges to urban policing, and our rural crime teams will continue working closely with local people to understand those challenges and keep communities safe.”

Rural, wildlife and heritage crime can be reported by calling 101 or online via the Dyfed-Powys Police website. In an emergency, always dial 999.

PUPILS and staff at Golden Grove Primary School in Pembroke have been recognised for their work promoting global citizenship after receiving a Bronze Award from Christian Aid Cymru’s Global Neighbours scheme.

The award recognises the school’s efforts to encourage children to think about global poverty and injustice while taking practical action in their own community.

Over the past year, pupils have explored issues ranging from homelessness in their local area to the environmental impact of deforestation. The work forms part of the Global Neighbours Cymru – or Cymdogion Byd-Eang – programme, launched by international development charity Christian Aid and The Church in Wales.

The accreditation scheme celebrates schools helping pupils understand the causes of global poverty and inequality while encouraging them to take part in building a fairer world.

Activities undertaken by pupils at Golden Grove have included litter-picking projects, clothes swaps, discussions with local businesses about reducing single-use plastics and inviting community leaders to support environmental and social initiatives.

Miss Thorne-Williams, the school’s Humanities and RVE lead, said: “We are extremely proud to be recognised for the work we have done as a whole school community to raise awareness of the extreme inequalities across our globe and, perhaps more importantly, the steps we can take to address these.

“The pupils learn about global issues regularly and gain an understanding of injustice in our world.

“Our world is increasingly connected, and our hope is for our children to grow as responsible global citizens who care about issues such as the environment and access to healthcare.

“The children have especially enjoyed leading whole-school assemblies based on important global values such as respect and equality, promoting events such as Black History Month and Children in Need, as well as working closely with members of our local community to support those in need.

“We would like to say a special thank you to our learners, staff, parents, governors and members of the wider community who have supported us in achieving this award. This project has been a community effort and we could not be more proud of what we have achieved.”

Rebecca Elliott, Christian Aid Wales Youth and Education Officer, said the programme helps young people better understand global inequality and their role in tackling it.

“Global Neighbours Cymru was launched with a vision of helping young people understand more about the inequalities in this world and the actions they can take both locally and globally,” she said.

“Supporting the Curriculum for Wales, it encourages learners to explore how decisions and actions impact communities in Wales and across the world, now and for future generations.

“It’s wonderful to see how staff and pupils at Golden Grove have taken this to heart and are seeking to tackle injustice.”

Schools across Wales can take part in the Global Neighbours Cymru scheme, which offers three levels of accreditation – bronze, silver and gold. Independent assessors review schools across six areas, including leadership, teaching and learning, collective worship, spiritual development, pupil participation and community engagement.

Photo caption:

Global citizenship: Humanities lead Miss Thorne-Williams with Golden Grove’s RVE ambassadors Amelie, Charlotte, Riley, Joseph, Maisie, Isabella, Freddie, Cody, Zayn, Alfred and Amelia. The school in Pembroke has received a Bronze Award from Christian Aid Cymru’s Global Neighbours Cymru scheme (Pic: Golden Grove School).