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Schools in Wales will not be returning on 1 June says Education Minister

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THE SITUATION for schools in Wales will not change on June 1st.” Said Education Minister Kirsty Williams today.

In a message posted on her Twitter account, Kirsty Williams said:

“As you’ll know, there is a lot of speculation about what may or may not be announced regarding schools in England this weekend.

“As I have said before, you will always hear directly from me on the decisions we make in Wales for our pupils, parents and school staff.

“The situation for schools in Wales will not change on 1 June. You have my guarantee that we will give everyone time to plan ahead of a next phase starting.

“Any decision to increase the operation of schools will be communicated well in advance. We are working closely with local authorities to ensure that schools are supported in this preparation work.

“In the meantime, critical workers and those who need to use schools or hubs for your children should continue do so.

“We will continue to be guided by the very latest scientific advice and will only look to have more pupils and staff in schools when it is safe to do so.

We will, of course, need to ensure that social distancing requirements can be adhered to.”

The Minister has also written to all of the main teaching unions in the UK and Ireland, in response to their concerns that schools will be open to most pupils before it is safe to do so.

Next week, the Minister will publish a working document which sets out more of the thinking, planning and modelling for the next steps for education in Wales, including childcare and further education.

The document will include how key decisions will be reached and who will providing advice on those decisions.

The Minister reiterated that the five key principles she previously set out to determine when and how schools will return to providing education for most school pupils will remain in place.

She said: “Of my five principles the first, and most important, is the safety and mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of students and staff.”

The Minister set out her five key principles on 27 April, which are:

The safety and mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of students and staff
Continuing contribution to the national effort and strategy to fight the spread of COVID-19
Having the confidence of parents, staff and students – based on evidence and information – so that they can plan ahead
Ability to prioritise learners at key points, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds
Consistency with the Welsh Government’s framework for decision making, to have guidance in place to support measures such as distancing, managing attendance and wider protective actions.

 

Crime

Hakin man stole Tesco goods to fund drink and gambling addictions

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A 35-YEAR-OLD man stole almost £800 worth of goods from Tesco Extra in Haverfordwest to fund his alcohol and gambling addictions, a court has heard.

Five thefts from same store

Luke Brunton, 35, visited the store on five separate occasions between February and May 2025, taking items including pillows, duvets, Lego sets, Pokémon cards, alcohol, crisps and a saucepan set.

The first theft took place on February 27, when Brunton stole four packs of pillows, a double duvet, a cool pillow, a cuddle cushion, a Batman Lego set and a BMW Lego set, worth £167.50.

On March 1 he returned and stole Pokémon cards valued at £144. Three days later, he stole Baileys, vodka, Jack Daniel’s, three pillows, crisps and a saucepan set, worth £192.69.

The final offence took place on May 21, when Brunton again stole alcohol, pillows and toilet roll. The value of those items was not given to the court.

Addictions reduced

Brunton, of St Lawrence Close, Hakin, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week, where he pleaded guilty to five charges of theft.

The court was told the offences also breached a conditional discharge imposed by Kent Court for previous theft matters.

His solicitor, Michael Kelleher, said: “At the time, he was drinking to excess and was also gambling to excess.

“The shoplifts funded those habits, both of which were addictions.”

Mr Kelleher said Brunton’s drinking and gambling had significantly reduced since the offending.

Brunton was sentenced to a 24-month community order. He must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 66 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay £761.79 compensation to Tesco, a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.

 

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Crime

Uxbridge motorist banned after Pembrokeshire drug-drive stop

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Driver was heading home after visiting former girlfriend when police stopped him on the A477

A WEST London motorist has been banned after being caught driving on the A477 in Broadmoor with a cocaine metabolite and cannabis in his system.

Danny Small, 32, was stopped by police carrying out routine checks at around 11:30am on January 28.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Small was taken to a police station, where blood tests showed he had 157mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

He also had 2.9mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.

Small, of Little London Close, Uxbridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to two drug-driving offences.

Probation officer Julie Norman told the bench that Small had been visiting his former girlfriend in Pembrokeshire and was driving home to Uxbridge at the time of the offence.

Ms Norman said Small was a regular cannabis and cocaine user.

“This helps treat his undiagnosed ADHD,” she said.

“He didn’t think the drugs would still have been in his system, as he’d consumed the drugs several days earlier. But drugs can often remain in the system for several weeks.”

Small was sentenced to a 12-month community order, during which he must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months.

 

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News

Uxbridge motorist banned after Pembrokeshire drug-drive stop

Published

on

Driver was heading home after visiting former girlfriend when police stopped him on the A477

A WEST London motorist has been banned after being caught driving on the A477 in Broadmoor with a cocaine metabolite and cannabis in his system.

Danny Small, 32, was stopped by police carrying out routine checks at around 11:30am on January 28.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Small was taken to a police station, where blood tests showed he had 157mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

He also had 2.9mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.

Small, of Little London Close, Uxbridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to two drug-driving offences.

Probation officer Julie Norman told the bench that Small had been visiting his former girlfriend in Pembrokeshire and was driving home to Uxbridge at the time of the offence.

Ms Norman said Small was a regular cannabis and cocaine user.

“This helps treat his undiagnosed ADHD,” she said.

“He didn’t think the drugs would still have been in his system, as he’d consumed the drugs several days earlier. But drugs can often remain in the system for several weeks.”

Small was sentenced to a 12-month community order, during which he must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months.

 

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