THE WELSH GOVERNMENT’S childcare scheme has been criticised by a local politician failing to help vulnerable parents.

Speaking in the Senedd on Tuesday, Mid and West Wales MS Jane Dodds  accused the Welsh Government of “missing the mark” on childcare costs and claimed that their current offer “disadvantages our most vulnerable.”

According to statistics from the Bevan Foundation, around 190,000 children in Wales are currently living in relative income poverty.  And more than half of those children live in a family where there is at least one child between the ages of 0 and four years-old.

Another report from Oxfam Cymru revealed that 92% of parents felt as though they could not afford to pay for childcare fees.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have now called on the Welsh Government to commit towards a universal childcare system for families across Wales.

The party claims that by helping to lower childcare costs, more parents will be able to return back to work to help better provide for their children.

Commenting on the need for affordable and accessible childcare services, Mid and West Wales MS Jane Dodds  said that “It should be obvious that by cutting down on childcare costs, we can move towards eradicating child poverty.”

Across Wales thousands of parents are being forced to decide between paying extortionate childcare fees or leaving work to look after their children themselves. And regardless of what decision they make, these parents and their families are still left financially worse off.

The Welsh Government’s current childcare scheme misses the mark completely, instead of relieving pressures on parents, they are closing the door on them.

Current eligibility rules mean that our most vulnerable are left disadvantages, while those who do qualify are often unable to access support due to a lack of availability.

Pumping more money into a childcare offer that doesn’t work isn’t the answer and it’s time the Welsh Government realised this.

What we need is a universal healthcare system that works for every family here in Wales, a system that ensures that every parent is able to access affordable childcare services when and where needed.”

FIRST MINISTER Eluned Morgan has pledged to deliver tangible results in schools, healthcare, and road repairs before the Senedd term concludes in spring 2026.

Speaking in the Senedd’s Siambr, the Welsh Labour leader emphasised her government’s focus on delivering outcomes that matter to the people of Wales.

Eluned Morgan told Members of the Senedd: “Our priority isn’t about making speeches in here – it’s about making a difference out there, in our hospitals, in our schools, in our communities.”

By the end of the Senedd term, the First Minister committed to:

• £400m more to support NHS service delivery and staff pay.
• £175m towards modernising NHS infrastructure.
• Repairing thousands of potholes and pavements.
• Increased investment in sports, culture, and heritage.
• £40m to support people with additional learning needs.
• £144m to sustain the flagship apprenticeship programme.
• Bringing buses under public control.
• Restoring school attendance to pre-pandemic levels.
• Providing targeted literacy and numeracy support for every school.
• Ensuring every secondary school has a plan for mental health and wellbeing.

After fourteen years of Conservative governments reducing Welsh budgets, the First Minister welcomed the partnership with the UK Labour Government, which last October delivered the largest funding settlement for Wales since devolution.

Eluned Morgan highlighted the importance of collaboration between the two Labour governments, saying it marks a turning point for Wales’ future.

While Plaid Cymru offers “empty promises” and Reform UK relies on “snappy slogans,” Eluned Morgan stated that Welsh Labour is focused on meaningful action.

She said: “Together, we’re building a Wales that works. Where our NHS delivers. Where our kids have more chances. Where our communities thrive. Where good jobs grow.

“This conversation doesn’t end here. It’s just getting started.

“And every day, my promise stays the same – I will deliver for Wales, and I will deliver for you.”

A BY ELECTION will be held to fill a vacancy in the Haverfordwest Prendergast ward.

A Notice of Election was published on 6th January. Anyone wishing to stand for election must submit their nomination papers to the Returning Officer between the 7th and 15th January, between 10am and 4pm.

For further information and to obtain nomination papers please email [email protected] or call the Elections Helpline number 01437 775844.

The Statement of Persons Nominated will be published following the close of nominations. If contested the by-election vote will take place on Tuesday, 11th February.

If you are interested in becoming a Councillor there is more information available on the Democratic Services page of the Council website.

Details on registering to vote are available on the Pembrokeshire County Council website. Anyone in the Prendergast ward who is not registered to vote will need to do so by 24th January to vote at this election.

Poll cards will be sent to electors before the election that will indicate which polling station to vote at.

Photographic ID will not be required to vote at this election.