News

Plaid Cymru demands £4bn from HS2 and more control over Welsh resources

Published

1 year ago

June 13, 2024

PLAID CYMRU’S leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, has called for an additional £4 billion in funding for Wales from the HS2 rail project, along with greater control over the nation’s natural resources. Unveiling the party’s manifesto for the upcoming general election, Mr ap Iorwerth outlined several key demands aimed at ensuring “fair” funding and increased autonomy for Wales.

“It’s not a begging bowl, it’s just what’s right,” he stated, highlighting the necessity for investment in public services and the economy. He urged Welsh voters to hold Labour accountable, warning against giving them a “free pass” in the general election.

Mr ap Iorwerth emphasised the need for equitable financial treatment for Wales, advocating for a £20 per week increase in child benefit. This increase, according to the manifesto, would lift 60,000 children out of poverty. He criticised the current funding system, which is governed by the Barnett formula based on population, and called for its replacement with a needs-based approach.

Plaid Cymru claims that Wales is owed £4 billion from the HS2 project, which is classified as an England and Wales project despite terminating in Birmingham. This classification precludes additional funding for the Welsh government. Mr ap Iorwerth argued that the extra funds would significantly enhance public transport in Wales, enabling investments in buses, roads, and railways.

“Just imagine what that could do to transform our public transport network nationwide – buses, roads, and railways – connecting our communities and giving our economy that desperately-needed boost,” he said.

The manifesto also calls for the decriminalisation of “soft” drugs and proposes expunging the criminal records of those convicted of drug possession, provided there are no aggravating factors. Plaid Cymru advocates for devolving criminal justice to Wales to develop a distinct Welsh approach to policing.

Plaid Cymru’s manifesto promotes a “fairer” tax system, with increased windfall taxes on energy companies and a cap on bankers’ bonuses. The party argues that the burden should fall on those with “the broadest shoulders” to ensure a fairer share of overall tax paid.

The party stands against the renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons system, suggesting that defence funds should be redirected towards conventional defence and peaceful initiatives rather than “weapons of mass destruction.”

Plaid Cymru is pushing for full control over natural resources and waters, along with enhanced powers over migration, including Wales-specific visa schemes. The party also seeks control over broadcasting and Crown Estate properties, allowing benefits from investments, such as renewable energy, to return to Wales.

Currently, the Welsh government only oversees energy projects up to 350MW. Plaid Cymru argues for complete levers over all energy projects.

Plaid Cymru won four seats in Westminster during the 2019 election. Following boundary changes, the party is defending two constituencies: Dwyfor Meirionnydd and Ceredigion Preseli. It aims to gain additional seats in Caerfyrddin and Ynys Mon, fending off competition from Labour and the Conservatives.

Mr ap Iorwerth took over as Plaid leader last June after Adam Price stepped down following a report on allegations of misogyny within the party. Recently, Mr ap Iorwerth led Plaid Cymru out of a co-operation agreement with Vaughan Gething’s Welsh Labour government.

Plaid Cymru’s manifesto sets forth a vision of fair funding, increased autonomy, and progressive policies aimed at enhancing the well-being and governance of Wales. As the general election approaches, the party appeals to voters to ensure their voices are heard and their interests represented in Westminster.

News

BBC apologises to Herald’s editor for inaccurate story

Published

17 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Staff Writer

THE BBC has issued a formal apology and amended a six-year-old article written by BBC Wales Business Correspondent Huw Thomas after its Executive Complaints Unit ruled that the original headline and wording gave an “incorrect impression” that Herald editor Tom Sinclair was personally liable for tens of thousands of pounds in debt.

The 2019 report, originally headlined “Herald newspaper editor Tom Sinclair has £70,000 debts”, has now been changed.

The ECU found: “The wording of the article and its headline could have led readers to form the incorrect impression that the debt was Mr Sinclair’s personal responsibility… In that respect the article failed to meet the BBC’s standards of due accuracy.”

Mr Sinclair said: “I’m grateful to the ECU for the apology and for correcting the personal-liability impression that caused real harm for six years. However, the article still links the debts to ‘the group which publishes The Herald’ when in fact they related to printing companies that were dissolved two years before the Herald was founded in 2013. I have asked the BBC to add that final clarification so the record is completely accurate.”

A formal apology and correction of this kind from the BBC is extremely rare, especially for a story more than six years old.

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

3 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines
docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon last week, marking the start of physical
deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock on
shortly after 4pm on Wednesday 26th November, bringing tower sections and other heavy
components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the
existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, has arrived in Pembroke Port today is
due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.
The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-
loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through
Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the
latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived last week yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are
expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be
blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with
a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG
terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to
power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven
throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock.

Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

The Weather conditions are currently were favourable for this morning’s the arrival of
the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are
expected to begin early next year, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-
bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.
Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery
programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Crime

Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood

Published

3 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.

SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST

Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.

COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION

Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.

Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.

She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.

The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.