#samrowlandsms — Public Fediverse posts

SCHOOL PHONES: First Minister rules out Wales-wide ban as Plaid Cymru leaves decision to individual schools — with Swansea parents already debating the issue

There will be no Wales-wide ban on mobile phones in schools — with First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth saying his new Plaid Cymru Welsh Government will instead “empower schools” to make their own decisions on whether and how to restrict phone use during the school day.

The position, set out by the First Minister at the Urdd Eisteddfod on Anglesey on Tuesday and first reported by BBC Wales, marks a clear divergence from England — where the UK Government is preparing to pass a law requiring schools to be free of smartphones throughout the school day.

Decision rests with individual schools and governing bodies

In Wales, the decision to ban or restrict mobile phones for pupils remains a matter for individual schools and their governing bodies. The Welsh Government will not require schools to act, and there is no suggestion that direction will change.

That means parents in Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire may find different phone rules at different schools — with some local schools and headteachers already having moved to restrict or ban phones, and others taking different approaches.

The First Minister told BBC Wales he wanted his government to “facilitate schools to take the decisions that they feel are right to protect children and young people.”

“I don’t think of it in terms of a ban, I think about it as action on a number of different fronts,” Mr ap Iorwerth said.

“We will empower schools and school leaders to make decisions that they feel is right for pupils. Many schools and school leaders have already taken those measures.”

Plaid manifesto promise

Plaid Cymru’s manifesto for the May 2026 Senedd election had committed to “empower local authorities to promote students’ safety, learning and wellbeing through restricting the use of smartphones in schools for under-16s” — working with councils and school leaders to deliver this “in a practical and proportionate way, with appropriate exemptions where necessary.”

Tuesday’s comments confirm that the route Plaid will take is empowerment of schools rather than legal compulsion — leaving the decision firmly with local headteachers and governing bodies.

Action on social media “needs to be taken”

The First Minister was speaking as a UK Government consultation on the impact of social media on children under 16 closes — with UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall pledging new measures for under-16s in England by the end of 2026.

While ruling out a phone ban in schools, Mr ap Iorwerth said action on under-16s’ use of social media “needs to be taken” and signalled the Welsh Government would follow the evidence in deciding how to respond.

“The evidence is getting stronger and stronger,” he said. “When you have evidence suggesting to you that the use of social media by children and young people can be as harmful as smoking tobacco, you take that very, very seriously.

“I am clear that action needs to be taken. It’s important though that it’s evidence based.”

Live issue in Swansea

The First Minister’s comments come amid intense local debate over children’s social media use in Swansea, where last month a packed public meeting heard parents, teachers and residents share concerns about technology and children.

Swansea West MP Torsten Bell, who convened the meeting at the city’s Guildhall, told attendees the issue had generated more letters to his office than any other policy issue this year.

Mr Bell himself posted on Facebook on Tuesday afternoon — within an hour of the First Minister’s comments at the Urdd Eisteddfod — urging Swansea constituents to use the final day of the UK Government consultation to “have your say” on protecting children online.

“Children’s use of social media is the top issue constituents in Swansea have written to me about this year so far,” he wrote. “Today is the last opportunity to tell the UK Government what you think should be done to protect kids growing up in the online world.” He included a link to his constituency survey at torstenbell.org/social-media-debate.

The Welsh Government’s position therefore lands in a constituency where parental concern about children, phones and social media has already been articulated publicly — and where there is no single, consistent approach from local schools.

Welsh Conservatives: ‘Plaid must go further’

The First Minister’s position has drawn criticism from the Welsh Conservatives, who say Plaid Cymru must commit to stronger action to protect children in Wales.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Education, Families and Constitution Sam Rowlands MS said experts continue to warn about the harms of social media for children, with some comparing its impact to smoking.

“While the UK Government is acting on the damages that social media causes, the First Minister in Wales is dithering on restricting social media for under-16s and has ruled out a Wales-wide ban on mobile phones in schools,” Mr Rowlands said.

“The Welsh Conservatives say Plaid Cymru must go further and commit to stronger action to protect under-16s in Wales.”

What it means for parents in south-west Wales

For families in Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire, the practical effect of the First Minister’s position is that nothing changes from a Welsh Government level — with phone policy continuing to vary school by school.

Some local schools have already introduced “no phones during the school day” policies or banned mobile devices from classrooms entirely. Others allow phones to be carried on the basis they remain switched off or out of sight. Parents wanting to know the position at their child’s school will need to ask the school directly.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

SWANSEA: ‘Technology has transformed childhood in ways we’re only beginning to understand’ — packed public meeting hears parents’ fears about social media
Our May 2026 coverage of the Swansea Guildhall public meeting on social media and children.

SWANSEA: MP calls emergency public meeting on social media ban for under-16s
Our April 2026 piece on Torsten Bell convening parents and educators on the social media question.

Bristol Airport drags Welsh ministers to tribunal over £205m Cardiff Airport bailout

The two‑day hearing at the Competition Appeal Tribunal will examine whether ministers broke subsidy control rules when they approved a decade‑long financial rescue plan for the publicly owned airport.

The case — filed last summer — argues the subsidy amounts to a taxpayer‑funded advantage that could lure passengers and airlines away from Bristol Airport, which serves around 10 million travellers a year and draws heavily from South Wales.

According to the appeal documents, Bristol Airport claims the Welsh Government’s investment equates to £71.50 per Cardiff Airport passenger, accusing ministers of effectively “paying people to go on holiday”.

The challenge also alleges Cardiff Airport should have been treated as an “ailing or insolvent enterprise”, a legal classification that would have triggered stricter checks before public money could be handed over.

The Welsh Government has repeatedly defended its decision, saying it will “fight for our ability to invest” in the airport’s long‑term future. Ministers argue the funding will support new hangars, maintenance facilities, cargo capacity and new global routes designed to boost Wales’s economy.

But the tribunal filing shows the Competition and Markets Authority’s Subsidy Advice Unit had already raised concerns, recommending more evidence on the subsidy’s proportionality, its impact on competition, and whether the airport could realistically deliver the promised economic benefits.

Welsh Conservatives: “A bottomless pit of taxpayers’ money”

The legal battle has reignited fierce political criticism, with the Welsh Conservatives accusing Labour ministers of pouring public money into a failing airport.

Shadow Transport Secretary Sam Rowlands MS said the case exposed “reckless spending” by the Welsh Government.

“Labour and Plaid Cymru have already sunk more than £200 million of taxpayers’ money into this failing nationalised airport — that’s around £286 per household across Wales,” he said.

“Now, even more public money will be wasted on legal costs to defend this subsidy. People across Wales are rightly asking what they are getting in return.”

Rowlands said the airport should be sold to the private sector “so it can survive, succeed and stop draining taxpayers’ money”.

Andrew RT Davies: “You can throw all the money you like at it…”

Former Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies MS said ministers must explain what the £205 million handout has actually delivered.

“We all want to see a thriving airport, as it would bring huge benefits to the economy of South Wales,” he said. “But competent leadership is a necessary ingredient to achieving that.”

Davies warned that “a bottomless pit of money” would not fix the airport without strategic direction, pointing to the fact that Qatar Airways — once a flagship long‑haul partner — has still not resumed flights to Cardiff.

“Since they bought Cardiff Airport, Senedd ministers have spent over £400 million of taxpayers’ money on it,” he said. “Given this level of investment, the airport should be in a far better position than it is.”

What happens next?

A panel of three, chaired by barrister Ben Tidswell, will hear Bristol Airport’s appeal against the subsidy and the response of Welsh ministers.

Bristol Airport is asking the tribunal to quash the subsidy, declare it unlawful, and — if necessary — order the Welsh Government to recover any money already handed over.

The Welsh Government said it would present its case “through the proper legal process” and declined to comment further.

The outcome could have major implications not only for Cardiff Airport’s future, but for how devolved governments across the UK support strategic infrastructure.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

WestJet to launch direct Cardiff–Toronto flights
Canadian airline announces new long‑haul link from Cardiff Airport.

Ex‑brewery boss takes over at Cardiff Airport
New chief executive appointed amid funding rows and route uncertainty.

Cardiff Airport celebrates summer growth
Passenger numbers rise, but recovery remains only halfway to pre‑Covid levels.

Bristol Airport demands detail on subsidy
Legal teams push Welsh Government for clarity over multi‑million‑pound support package.

TUI announces new routes from Cardiff Airport
Holiday giant expands its programme with new destinations and extra flights.