News
‘Welsh Labour letting Wales down’ – William Powell AM
DURING a debate in the National Assembly on Welsh Labour’s failures during 15 years of government, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have criticised the Welsh Government for letting down people across Wales in key areas of health, education and the economy.
Commenting, William Powell AM said: “The establishment of the National Assembly heralded a new opportunity to forge a distinctive path in Wales over the past 15 years, but sadly in key areas of education, health and the economy, the Welsh Labour Government continues to let the people of Wales down. “The UK economy is growing at the strongest rate since 2007, yet Wales continues to buck the trend with the lowest GDP and GVA in the UK. The number of young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) remains above the UK average. In the Welsh Government’s flagship Enterprise Zones, 47% of businesses don’t think it will have any benefit to them. “On education, Wales continues to slip down the PISA rankings and a recent report found that pupils eligible for free school meals in England are 50% more likely to obtain five good GCSEs than their counterparts in Wales. That is why the Welsh Liberal Democrats have continually prioritised extra support for Wales’ poorest pupils and fought to ensure that every child gets a fairer start in life through investment in the Pupil Deprivation Grant. “On health, the cancer waiting time target for 95% of urgent patients to be seen by a specialist within 62 days has not been met since 2008. The target for 95% of new patients to spend less than 4 hours in emergency care facilities from arrival until admission, transfer or discharge has never been met. In March only 55% of Ambulances arrived at the scene within 8 minutes for Category A (immediately life-threatening) calls. “People in Wales deserve better and it’s time the Welsh Labour Government took some responsibility for the huge problems in our economy, health and education system in Wales.”
Crime
Pembroke Dock woman in court for failing to remove rubbish from property
A PEMBROKE DOCK resident is due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court later today (Nov 25) for multiple alleged breaches of a community protection notice.
Sheena Deacon, of 13 Wavell Crescent, Pembroke Dock, faces charges under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which carries a maximum penalty of a Level 4 fine.
The charges stem from allegations that Deacon failed to remove accumulated household waste from her property on several occasions. According to court documents, the breaches occurred on September 19, September 26, October 2, October 9, and October 17 this year.
The charges indicate that Deacon, despite being issued with a community protection notice, did not comply with the requirements to clear and appropriately dispose of refuse and household waste from her address.
The Herald will bring updates on the case as it progresses.
News
Welsh Conservatives urge Labour to scrap ‘family farm tax’
THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have announced plans to bring forward a Senedd debate next week (Nov 27) calling on the UK Labour Government to abandon its proposed “family farm tax.”
The tax, introduced by the UK Labour Government, is being criticised as a move that will harm Welsh farming, threaten food security, and increase food prices. Alongside the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme and perceived “anti-farming agenda,” critics argue this new tax amounts to a coordinated effort to undermine the future of agriculture in Wales.
Shadow Minister warns of consequences
Ahead of the debate, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, James Evans MS, condemned the proposal, stating:
“Labour’s family farm tax will put family farms out of business, threaten our food security, and lead to food prices rising. Only the Welsh Conservatives will stand up for our farmers, and that’s why we’re bringing forward a Senedd motion calling on Labour to reverse this decision. No farmers, no food.”
NFU Cymru expresses alarm
NFU Cymru President, Aled Jones, echoed these concerns, highlighting the widespread opposition from the farming community. Speaking about the impact of the tax on Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief, Jones said:
“Earlier this week, hundreds of farmers from across Wales journeyed to London to meet with their MPs and register their deeply held concerns about these misguided and ill-thought-out reforms.
“The proposals unveiled by the Treasury last month to introduce a tax on the passing on of our family farms to the next generation are a massive added burden. They will leave many farmers without the means, confidence, or incentive to invest in the future of their business.
“NFU Cymru reiterates its call for the UK Government to halt these changes.”
The motion to be debated
The motion, set to be debated in the Senedd, reads:
“To propose that the Senedd:
Calls on the UK Labour Government to reverse its decision to impose a family farm tax on agricultural businesses.”
This debate is expected to attract significant attention, with Welsh farmers and rural communities keenly watching for the outcome.
Community
Internet outage for two villages after exchange box destroyed
RESIDENTS of Clunderwen and Llandissilio have been left without internet access following the destruction of an Openreach exchange box just outside Llandissilio village.
The incident occurred yesterday (Nov 23) when the box was reportedly demolished by a vehicle. The damage has resulted in a complete loss of internet services for the two villages, with repairs expected to take at least a couple of days.
Local residents have expressed frustration over the disruption, as the outage affects home businesses, remote workers, and households relying on internet connectivity for day-to-day tasks.
Openreach engineers have cordoned off the site, and work is ongoing to assess the extent of the damage. A spokesperson for Openreach has been contacted for comment but had not responded by the time of publication.
The vehicle involved in the incident has not yet been identified. Anyone with information about the collision is urged to contact the local police.
With repair timelines unclear, affected residents have called for increased communication from service providers to manage expectations during the outage.
“Bringing the community back online is a priority,” a local resident said. “We’re hoping Openreach can resolve the issue quickly and ensure it doesn’t happen again in future.”
-
Business4 days ago
Specsavers relocates to landmark new store following £1.2 million investment
-
Crime6 days ago
Pembroke man faces rape and sexual assault charges
-
Community5 days ago
Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest is now officially open!
-
Top News7 days ago
Pembrokeshire’s ‘coal king’ lifts one of world’s oldest 127 kg lifting stones
-
News5 days ago
A tribute to Honey Arteya Foxx French, written by her family
-
News7 days ago
Police appeal after Nerf gun bullet hit baby
-
News7 days ago
Inquest hears social media bullying was factor in teen’s tragic death
-
Business12 hours ago
Plans unveiled for new fitness hub in Charles Street