News

£500 support for bereaved parents in Wales from April 1

Published

5 years ago

March 20, 2021

FROM April 1, families in Wales who have registered the loss of a child under the age of 18 will be able to receive £500 as a contribution towards funeral costs, Housing and Local Government Minister Julie James has announced.

Families will not be required to actively seek the funding or make a claim. Instead, a one off payment will be offered by the Registrar when the death is registered.
Julie James said: “We want to offer families practical, compassionate support at an unimaginably difficult time. Local government will take the lead on delivering the additional support to families and we have worked closely in partnership with them to develop an approach that is easy to access and will provide the support when they need it.”

“No parent wants to think about having to plan their child’s funeral. We have worked with local authorities so this process is as seamless as possible for families.”

The additional financial support for funerals is part of a wider package for families who have lost a child, which includes the development of national bereavement standards and a new £1m grant to help address the gaps in bereavement service provision across Wales.
Since 2017, Welsh Government has worked with local government and One Voice Wales, which represents town and community councils in Wales, to waive child burial and cremations fees.

Councillor Andrew Morgan (Rhondda Cynon Taf), WLGA Leader said: “Losing a child is an unimaginable experience and a trauma that will forever stay with grieving families. We’ve been pleased to work in partnership with Welsh Government to ensure that there is fairness and consistency in this regard in all areas of Wales.

Extending this support means that we’ll be able to continue to support families when they need it most.”

Rhian Mannings MBE is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of 2 Wish Upon A Star, a charity supporting people affected by sudden death in children and adults.

She said: “Nobody should ever have to experience the death of their child. It goes against the pattern of life and leaves unimaginable pain and grief. That pain and devastation is often compounded by the financial burden of paying funeral costs which can amount to thousands of pounds. Planning the funeral is a difficult process.

Parents making choices about their final goodbyes is another part of the grieving process but knowing there is funding available to help towards the costs of funerals would be appreciated by so many.

“When I lost my son and husband in 2012 we were fortunate to have extended family around us to help pay for the funeral and the undertaker was extremely generous as he waived Georgie’s funeral costs.”

In response to the news of £500 support for bereaved parents in Wales, Carolyn Harris MP, Deputy Leader of Welsh Labour, said: “The Welsh Labour Government was the first to support my campaign by scrapping fees for child burials or cremations, helping to ease the financial worries faced by parents who have just lost a child.

“Some 5,000 babies and children pass away each year in the UK. It is a pain and trauma that no parent can ever be prepared for. So, when that tragedy happens, parents will be totally unprepared, both emotionally and financially.

“Today’s announcement by the Welsh Labour Government goes even further. Providing a £500 payment to all families who suffer the loss of a child, is an act of unbridled compassion for which Wales is known around the world.”

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

12 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

12 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

13 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.