#welshgovernment — Public Fediverse posts

https://www.europesays.com/uk/958622/ Rhun ap Iorwerth unveils Plaid Cymru’s first cabinet #News #PlaidCymru #Senedd #UK #UnitedKingdom #WelshGovernment

Rhun ap Iorwerth unveils Plaid Cymru’s first cabinet

There are 42 people (excluding Rhun ap Iorwerth) that he has to choose from when making these important…
#NewsBeep #News #UnitedKingdom #GB #GreatBritain #PlaidCymru #Senedd #UK #WelshGovernment
https://www.newsbeep.com/uk/582025/

Plaid Cymru Takes Helm in Wales, Ending Century of Labour Rule

Plaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerth is new First Minister in Wales, ending 100 years of Labour rule. New cabinet announced. Find out what changes.

#PlaidCymru, #WalesPolitics, #FirstMinister, #LabourParty, #WelshGovernment

https://newsletter.tf/plaid-cymru-leads-wales-government-after-labour/

Plaid Cymru Takes Helm in Wales, Ending Century of Labour Rule

Plaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerth is new First Minister in Wales, ending 100 years of Labour rule. New cabinet announced. Find out what changes.

#PlaidCymru, #WalesPolitics, #FirstMinister, #LabourParty, #WelshGovernment

https://newsletter.tf/plaid-cymru-leads-wales-government-after-labour/

Plaid Cymru Takes Helm in Wales, Ending Century of Labour Rule

Plaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerth is new First Minister in Wales, ending 100 years of Labour rule. New cabinet announced. Find out what changes.

#PlaidCymru, #WalesPolitics, #FirstMinister, #LabourParty, #WelshGovernment

https://newsletter.tf/plaid-cymru-leads-wales-government-after-labour/

Plaid Cymru Takes Helm in Wales, Ending Century of Labour Rule

Plaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerth is new First Minister in Wales, ending 100 years of Labour rule. New cabinet announced. Find out what changes.

#PlaidCymru, #WalesPolitics, #FirstMinister, #LabourParty, #WelshGovernment

https://newsletter.tf/plaid-cymru-leads-wales-government-after-labour/

Plaid Cymru has taken over the Welsh Government, ending 100 years of Labour leadership. This is a major change for Wales.

#PlaidCymru, #WalesPolitics, #FirstMinister, #LabourParty, #WelshGovernment
https://newsletter.tf/plaid-cymru-leads-wales-government-after-labour/

Plaid Cymru has taken over the Welsh Government, ending 100 years of Labour leadership. This is a major change for Wales.

#PlaidCymru, #WalesPolitics, #FirstMinister, #LabourParty, #WelshGovernment
https://newsletter.tf/plaid-cymru-leads-wales-government-after-labour/

Plaid Cymru has taken over the Welsh Government, ending 100 years of Labour leadership. This is a major change for Wales.

#PlaidCymru, #WalesPolitics, #FirstMinister, #LabourParty, #WelshGovernment
https://newsletter.tf/plaid-cymru-leads-wales-government-after-labour/

Plaid Cymru has taken over the Welsh Government, ending 100 years of Labour leadership. This is a major change for Wales.

#PlaidCymru, #WalesPolitics, #FirstMinister, #LabourParty, #WelshGovernment
https://newsletter.tf/plaid-cymru-leads-wales-government-after-labour/

https://www.europesays.com/britain/33101/ ITV’s Believe Me filming locations that turned Cardiff, Swansea and Newport into the streets of London #Cardiff #CardiffUniversity #FilmingLocations #London #LondonEye #Newport #Penarth #PortTalbot #RoyalCourtsOfJustice #Swansea #WelshGovernment

https://www.europesays.com/videos/19129/ Roads and rail: How parties plan to improve Welsh transport | Wales Decides 2026 | ITV Cymru Wales #bus #itv #ItvNews #ITVNewsInFull #ItvWales #M4 #M4ReliefRoad #PublicTransport #rail #roads #SeneddElection #traffic #Trains #TransportForWales #WalesTraffic #WalesTravel #WelshGovernment #WelshTransport #WelshTravel

Welsh Labour faces ‘existential’ change as party braces for May election defeat https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/28/welsh-labour-may-elections-senedd-plaid-cymru-reform-uk #WelshElections2026 #May2026Elections #WelshPolitics #WelshGovernment #Labour #LocalElections2026 #Devolution #Wales #Politics #UkNews #PlaidCymru

Welsh Labour faces ‘existential’ change as party braces for May election defeat https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/28/welsh-labour-may-elections-senedd-plaid-cymru-reform-uk #WelshElections2026 #May2026Elections #WelshPolitics #WelshGovernment #Labour #LocalElections2026 #Devolution #Wales #Politics #UkNews #PlaidCymru

Welsh Labour faces ‘existential’ change as party braces for May election defeat https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/28/welsh-labour-may-elections-senedd-plaid-cymru-reform-uk #WelshElections2026 #May2026Elections #WelshPolitics #WelshGovernment #Labour #LocalElections2026 #Devolution #Wales #Politics #UkNews #PlaidCymru

Welsh Labour faces ‘existential’ change as party braces for May election defeat https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/28/welsh-labour-may-elections-senedd-plaid-cymru-reform-uk #WelshElections2026 #May2026Elections #WelshPolitics #WelshGovernment #Labour #LocalElections2026 #Devolution #Wales #Politics #UkNews #PlaidCymru

‘Seismic change’: how election wins for nationalists in Celtic nations could reshape UK https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/07/nationalist-wins-uk-celtic-nations-may-elections #Politics #Devolution #ScottishNationalPartySnp #ScottishIndependence #ScottishPolitics #Scotland #PlaidCymru #WelshGovernment #WelshPolitics #Wales #SinnFin #NorthernIrishPolitics #NorthernIreland #Labour #UkNews

https://www.europesays.com/uk/870326/ Teachers and pupils in Wales ‘are being short changed’ and schools are on ‘life support’ #Britain #Education #GreatBritain #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales #WalesSchools #WelshGovernment

WALES TOURISM TAX: Caravan holiday families face 26% cost hike under levy plans — while five-star hotel guests pay just 1% more

Families taking affordable caravan and motorhome holidays in Wales face a cost increase more than 25 times higher than business travellers staying in luxury hotels under the Welsh Government’s tourism levy plans — and the industry is demanding an urgent review.

The warning comes from the Holiday and Residential Parks Association (HARPA) and the Caravan and Motorhome Club, who say the £1.30-per-person-per-night levy — passed by the Senedd last year and set to come into force from 2027 — has been designed in a way that disproportionately punishes budget holidaymakers.

The maths is stark. A family of five staying on a Welsh caravan or motorhome pitch costing an average of £25 per night would pay £6.50 extra per night in levy charges — a 26% increase on their costs. Meanwhile, a single business traveller staying in a five-star Cardiff hotel at £130 a night would pay the same £1.30 — just 1% of their bill.

HARPA director-general Debbie Walker said the current tiering system was fundamentally unfair to those who could least afford it. “We understand that local authorities need to raise revenue, but this approach disproportionally hits family holidaymakers seeking a low-cost break,” she said. “It is simply not fair to put families holidaying in their own accommodation in the same tier as someone staying in a five-star hotel.”

Harvey Alexander, CEO of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, said he was disappointed with the Welsh Government’s approach. “We have consistently advocated a fair, flat-rate, lower-tier levy across all campsite pitches, ensuring the great outdoors remains accessible and affordable for everyone — whether they stay in a tent, a caravan, or a motorhome,” he said.

The industry has also warned of an unintended consequence that could undermine the levy’s purpose entirely. If managed caravan parks become too expensive, some holidaymakers may abandon them in favour of informal overnight stops in laybys and car parks — removing them from the regulated sector and depriving local economies of spending while creating environmental and waste management problems.

Both organisations are calling on the Welsh Government to review the tiering system immediately. The tourism sector’s own data shows that caravanning and camping generates £1.65 billion in visitor expenditure and supports more than 30,000 jobs in Wales — making it one of the country’s most economically significant holiday industries.

Walker said the inconsistency in the current system was impossible to justify. “The Welsh Government’s tiering system is inconsistent and difficult to justify. We are asking the Government to review it immediately and to keep camping and caravanning affordable,” she said.

The tourism levy has proved one of the most contentious pieces of legislation to come before the Senedd in recent years, with supporters arguing it will fund improvements to local infrastructure and opponents warning it risks damaging Wales’s reputation as a value-for-money destination.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Tourism tax: Will it ‘support tourism’ or ‘devastate the sector’?
The debate before the vote — and why the industry has been warning about this from the start.

Tourism tax gets Senedd approval: councils to decide on £1.30-a-night levy from 2027
How the levy was passed and what it means for Welsh councils and visitors.

Tourism’s annual value to Swansea Bay economy tops £600m mark for first time
Why the stakes are so high — tourism is one of our region’s biggest economic drivers.

Swansea holiday let occupancy up 47% but experts warn Welsh Gov policies forcing holidaymakers to fight over fewer rentals
More pressure on the Welsh Government over the impact of its tourism policies on visitors and operators.

Gloomy outlook for attractions in Wales
The wider picture for Welsh tourism — and why the industry can’t afford more headwinds.

FLATS FUNDING BOOST: Welsh Government to pour millions into city centre flats plan at McDonald’s site and Kingsway block

Swansea is in line for a major regeneration boost after the Welsh Government confirmed funding for two high-profile developments right in the heart of the city.

The cash forms part of a £12.6 million Wales-wide package – but a significant chunk is heading straight to Swansea, targeting long-standing empty upper floors and underused buildings.

At the centre of the plans is 1 Oxford Street – the busy McDonald’s site opposite Castle Square, where empty floors above could finally be brought back to life.

Up to £4.9 million in grant funding alongside a £1 million loan has been earmarked to help transform the building, with proposals already in place to create new flats above the fast-food restaurant.

It’s a site we’ve previously reported on, where plans have been drawn up to tackle one of the city centre’s most prominent unused spaces and turn it into much-needed housing.

Just a short walk away, another key Kingsway building is also in line for change.

Phase two of the Potters Wheel development – covering 85–86 Kingsway at the junction with Dillwyn Street and St Helen’s Road – will receive up to £750,000 in grant funding alongside a £1 million loan.

The project builds on earlier work at the site, where apartments were created above the ground floor pub and a striking green wall installed as part of efforts to bring more nature into the city centre.

Now, housing association Beacon Cymru is set to push ahead with further apartments on the upper floors – continuing the shift towards city centre living.

The Welsh Government says the funding is about more than bricks and mortar.

Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government Jayne Bryant said:

“This funding is not just about infrastructure—it is about creating real, tangible change for the people who live and work in these areas.

“By revitalising town centres, supporting local businesses, and improving public spaces, we are helping to build places where communities can thrive both socially and economically.”

She added:

“We know that strong, vibrant high streets are the backbone of wider economic growth across Wales.”

The announcement was made during a visit to the Biophilic Living project at Mowbray Yard in Swansea City Centre – a scheme already showcasing how greener design and housing can reshape urban spaces.

The latest investment is part of the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme, which has already pumped nearly £500 million into regeneration projects across Wales since 2020.

But for Swansea, the focus is clear – bringing empty buildings back into use and creating more homes in the city centre.

For years, upper floors above shops and businesses have sat vacant, even as demand for housing continues to rise.

Now, with millions committed to two flagship sites, there’s fresh hope that parts of the city centre that have long been overlooked could finally see new life.

And with both developments targeting highly visible locations, the changes won’t go unnoticed.

For Swansea shoppers grabbing a meal on Oxford Street or passing through Kingsway, the skyline above them could soon look very different.

A&E crisis: Nearly 1,000 deaths in Wales linked to 12-hour waits as calls grow for urgent action

New figures from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine reveal 965 deaths in 2025 were associated with long emergency department waits — an average of 18 people every week.

The total is up on the previous year, with doctors warning the scale of the crisis should send “shockwaves” through the political system.

“A matter of life and death”

Emergency medicine experts say the situation inside A&E departments has become critical.

Dr Rob Perry said many of those affected were among the most vulnerable patients — people already in need of urgent hospital care.

“Any number of avoidable deaths is a tragedy — that there were almost a thousand last year should send shockwaves,” he said.

“This is a matter of life and death.”

The report points to overcrowded hospitals, high bed occupancy and delays discharging patients as key drivers — leaving emergency departments gridlocked.t door” of emergency departments, but at the “back door” — where patients cannot be moved into wards quickly enough.

How delays are linked to deaths

The analysis suggests one death occurs for every 72 patients forced to wait 12 hours or more before being admitted.

Experts say tackling patient flow through hospitals — not just demand at the front door — is key to preventing further loss of life.

The College is now calling on all parties to commit to ending deaths associated with long waits by 2030.

Government: “Real progress” on waiting lists

The stark findings come just days after the Welsh Government published its latest NHS performance figures — highlighting improvements elsewhere in the system.

According to ministers:

• The average waiting time for treatment has fallen to around 18 weeks
• Waiting lists have dropped for eight months in a row
• January saw a record monthly fall of 27,900 patients

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said the figures showed “real, tangible progress”.

“Health boards are delivering more appointments and more operations… making sure people are seen and treated faster,” he said.

How delays are costing lives

The analysis uses a recognised measure suggesting one death occurs for every 72 patients forced to wait 12 hours or more.

That equates to hundreds of potentially avoidable deaths each year.

The College is now calling on all political parties to commit to ending deaths linked to long A&E waits by 2030, warning that failure to act will lead to more lives lost.

More operations — but pressure remains

The Welsh Government says the improvements have been driven by:

• 187,000 extra outpatient appointments
• A record 37,000 cataract operations
• Additional £120 million funding

There have also been improvements in ambulance response times and hospital handovers.

But ministers acknowledge winter pressures remain high, with A&E departments recording one of their busiest periods on record.

Political pressure ramps up

The figures have prompted renewed criticism from the Welsh Conservatives.

Shadow Health Secretary Peter Fox said urgent action is needed.

“Every patient deserves timely care and no one should have to wait 12 hours or more,” he said.

“This data underlines the urgent need for strong, effective action.”

He reiterated calls to declare a health emergency to bring down waiting times and end corridor care.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS put the blame firmly at an overstretched social care system.

“These figures are a national scandal. Nearly a thousand people dying after waiting over 12 hours in A&E reflects a system that is fundamentally broken and causing avoidable deaths. 

“For too long, the focus has been on the front door of hospitals, when the real crisis is at the back door. Patients cannot be discharged because social care is overstretched, beds remain blocked, and A&E departments become dangerously overcrowded.

“If we are serious about ending these avoidable deaths, the next Welsh Government must properly fund social care and take a whole-system approach to fixing patient flow and funding social care properly will be a red line in any negotiations we hold with other parties.”

Two pictures of the NHS

Together, the figures paint a complex picture of the Welsh NHS.

On one hand, waiting lists are falling and more patients are being treated.

On the other, emergency departments remain under severe pressure, with long waits continuing to be linked to hundreds of deaths each year.

With a Senedd election approaching, the challenge for politicians is clear — turning progress on paper into safer care on the frontline.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Hearing fear: Ammanford star Owain Wyn Evans warns “I was missing conversations”
Broadcaster opens up about health concerns and the impact on daily life.

West Wales warning: Meningitis outbreak sparks fears
Parents urged to stay alert as health officials respond to rising cases.

Swansea parents’ long fight for answers over son’s hidden ADHD and autism
Family speaks out after years of struggle navigating the system.

Llanelli teen invited to Parliament after years of agony
Young campaigner recognised after battling an invisible illness.

Wales cannot afford to keep treating the arts as expendable
Wales cannot afford to keep treating the arts as expendable https://nation.cymru/opinion/wales-cannot-afford-to-keep-treating-the-arts-as-expendable/

#arts #wellbeing #Wales #Cymru #WelshGovernment

Transport for Wales rail fares to be frozen for a year

The freeze, which comes into effect on St David’s Day (1 March), will apply to all of Transport for Wales‘ regulated and unregulated fares, including season tickets, return tickets, and the new ‘tap-in, tap-out’ pay-as-you-go system.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said the move would provide “certainty to passengers at a time when many are struggling with the cost of living” and make train travel “more attractive and cheaper”.

“More people are choosing to travel by train in Wales, services are growing faster and they are more reliable,” the First Minister said.

“This is as a result of us spending £1.1bn improving the Core Valleys Lines and developing the South Wales Metro. We have also spent £800m in new trains that can carry 80% more passengers.”

The announcement was welcomed by some passengers.

Speaking to BBC News, rail passenger Edward Eggers said: “At least it’s not going up. I’ve got a railcard, as long as it stays at this price, I’m decently happy with it. I would always advocate for it being lower but I think the transport system just needs the money, so I’ll pay what I need to.”

However, the move was criticised by opposition parties.

Plaid Cymru said that to deliver “real, tangible change” in the rail network, the Welsh Government must “begin the process of undoing decades of underfunding of rail funding by Westminster government and the devolution of rail infrastructure – something Labour have failed to demand.”

Reform UK Wales said the Labour government in Cardiff Bay had had a “generation to establish a functioning transport network in Wales” but had “failed to do that and now they’re rightly being punished”.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, added that the fare freeze complements the government’s action to deliver more affordable bus fares and the young person’s fare cap.

The freeze in Wales follows a similar announcement by the UK government for rail fares in England.

How a Welsh village saved its forest … and its future https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/feb/22/how-a-welsh-village-saved-its-forest-and-its-future #Wales #Conservation #Environment #UkNews #Communities #Society #TreesAndForests #WelshGovernment #WelshPolitics #Politics #LocalGovernment

Birthplace of hymn Cwm Rhondda saved by fundraising drive https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/feb/12/cwm-rhondda-bread-of-heaven-hymn-chapel-saved-welsh-fundraising #Wales #Christianity #Heritage #Religion #UkNews #Culture #MarkDrakeford #Politics #WorldNews #WelshGovernment #WelshPolitics

Birthplace of hymn Cwm Rhondda saved by fundraising drive https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/feb/12/cwm-rhondda-bread-of-heaven-hymn-chapel-saved-welsh-fundraising #Wales #Christianity #Heritage #Religion #UkNews #Culture #MarkDrakeford #Politics #WorldNews #WelshGovernment #WelshPolitics

Birthplace of hymn Cwm Rhondda saved by fundraising drive https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/feb/12/cwm-rhondda-bread-of-heaven-hymn-chapel-saved-welsh-fundraising #Wales #Christianity #Heritage #Religion #UkNews #Culture #MarkDrakeford #Politics #WorldNews #WelshGovernment #WelshPolitics

Birthplace of hymn Cwm Rhondda saved by fundraising drive https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/feb/12/cwm-rhondda-bread-of-heaven-hymn-chapel-saved-welsh-fundraising #Wales #Christianity #Heritage #Religion #UkNews #Culture #MarkDrakeford #Politics #WorldNews #WelshGovernment #WelshPolitics

Birthplace of hymn Cwm Rhondda saved by fundraising drive https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/feb/12/cwm-rhondda-bread-of-heaven-hymn-chapel-saved-welsh-fundraising #Wales #Christianity #Heritage #Religion #UkNews #Culture #MarkDrakeford #Politics #WorldNews #WelshGovernment #WelshPolitics

Welsh Government offering £5,000 to tempt Welsh‑speaking teachers into secondary schools

Applications have opened for the latest round of Cynllun Pontio, a scheme that retrains Welsh‑speaking primary teachers — and those who’ve left the profession — to switch into secondary education. The programme pays participants a salary while they retrain, with ministers saying it is vital to meet demand for Welsh‑medium teaching.

Nearly 100 people have already gone through the scheme since 2020, but buried in the small print is a further sweetener: a £5,000 retention bursary for eligible secondary teachers who teach Welsh or teach through the medium of Welsh.

The incentive is part of an £8m package aimed at boosting the Welsh‑medium workforce, including funding to keep A‑level Welsh courses running in schools with low numbers and extra support for English‑medium teachers learning Welsh.

Ysgol Bro Teifi headteacher Gareth Evans said the scheme had already helped his school retrain primary teachers and bring them into the secondary sector.

“Cynllun Pontio has enabled us to retrain primary teachers to develop their experience and confidence,” he said. “Some have stayed with us, others have secured jobs elsewhere. It’s a unique and effective programme.”

Cabinet Secretary for Education Lynne Neagle said the scheme was about supporting people who want to switch sectors while strengthening the Welsh‑medium workforce.

“We want to support those who want to make the switch to secondary education or rejoin teaching,” she said. “This programme provides training and financial support to help people in their education career.”

Applications are open until 22 February 2026, with candidates asked to submit forms by email.

Swansea councillor warns Welsh pubs risk being ‘left behind’ as business rates row deepens

Welsh Liberal Democrat councillor, Sam Bennett — who represents Swansea’s Waterfront ward and is standing for the Senedd in Gŵyr Abertawe — said ministers must “urgently change course” to stop Welsh venues being placed at a competitive disadvantage.

The row erupted after the UK Chancellor announced extra relief for pubs and music venues in England, cutting an average £1,650 from their bills next year. The support does not apply in Wales, and the Welsh Government has yet to confirm whether it will introduce a similar scheme.

When pressed in the Senedd by Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds, the First Minister declined to commit to matching the English package, saying she needed to examine the details first.

Bennett said that hesitation was already causing alarm among Swansea Bay businesses facing rising costs, staff shortages and falling footfall.

Cllr Sam Bennett said:

“Pubs and hospitality businesses are at the heart of our communities, but too many are being pushed to the brink. Scaling back business rates relief now would be a serious mistake.

Support cannot stop at pubs alone. Cafés, restaurants and other hospitality businesses are facing exactly the same pressures.”

Industry leaders warn Wales is becoming uncompetitive

Concerns over Wales’ business rates system intensified this week after a BBC report highlighted the widening gap between Wales and England.

The broadcaster spoke to Philip Thomas, Wales director of the Society of Independent Brewers, who said his Treforest brewery would pay no business rates at all if it were located just across the border in Somerset.

Thomas warned that the disparity was “impacting on our ability to compete”, with English rivals — who pay nothing — selling beer into Welsh pubs.

His comments echo growing frustration across the sector as new valuations and the end of pandemic‑era relief push bills sharply higher from April.

Analysis by UK Hospitality shows the sector’s business rates bill in Wales is set to rise from £83.1m this year to £135.7m by 2028‑29.

Political pressure grows — even within Labour

The political tension deepened after Gower MP Tonia Antoniazzi, who chairs Westminster’s All‑Party Parliamentary Beer Group, publicly welcomed the Chancellor’s decision to cut business rates for English pubs.

She said she had been “pushing for pubs to get a fairer deal” and thanked the Chancellor for listening — but made no reference to Wales, where pubs will not receive the same support unless the Welsh Government chooses to replicate it.

Welsh Government: ‘More to say soon’

A Welsh Government spokesperson said ministers were finalising plans for additional support and would announce details soon.

They insisted that almost half of Welsh pubs already receive Small Business Rates Relief, and more than a quarter pay no rates at all.

But Bennett said Swansea Bay businesses cannot wait much longer for clarity.

Cllr Sam Bennett said:

“Without urgent action, we risk losing viable, well‑loved businesses that communities in Swansea Bay simply cannot afford to lose.”

https://www.europesays.com/uk/730906/ Wales is trying to outlaw political lying, without curbing free speech #BangorUniversity #Britain #GreatBritain #LyingPoliticians #Opinion #Senedd #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales #WelshGovernment

https://www.europesays.com/uk/718872/ It has been damning about education in Wales, but how important is it? #Britain #Education #GreatBritain #LynneNeagle #Premium #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales #WalesSchools #WelshGovernment

Swansea East MP warning over unregulated weight-loss jabs

Ms. Harris, 65, who has lost nearly 10 stone on Mounjaro (a weekly jab that can help people shed up to 20% of their body weight over time), says she went to a GP to get her prescribed dosage, to ensure all the correct medical checks were done.

Mounjaro is currently only available on the NHS for those who are older than 18 and who meet strict criteria – they need to have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher and four or more weight-related health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and obstructive sleep apnoea.

Ms Harris had private treatment after increasingly struggling to walk around her constituency and believes others opting to take weight-loss drugs should do so for health-related reasons.

“I started having difficulty [walking in Swansea]and had to stop a quarter of the way in,” she said.

Also, a factor for her to take the jabs would be after “relentless criticism” about her appearance from online trolls that would take a toll on her everyday working life.

“I felt how I looked or what I was wearing had become more important than my politics,” continued Ms Harris.

“I can be bolshie if I’m fighting for a cause or for someone else, but deep down I’m very sensitive.”

After 14 months on the medication, Carolyn says it has changed her life.

“I’m physically fitter, I have more energy, and I think better, which sounds weird, but I do because I don’t get tired so easily.

“I used to get a lot of aches and pains, and I don’t get the aches and pains now. Before, if I had to walk for long distances, I’d be filled with dread.”

The National Pharmacy Association recently voiced concerns about the surge in demand for the likes of Mounjaro or Ozempic and how people were turning to beauty salons or social media to get them.

In England, anyone prescribing weight-loss injections must be registered with the Care Quality Commission.

But in Wales, only doctors are required to register with the Welsh equivalent, Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW), meaning other healthcare professionals are not legally required to meet the same standards or be routinely inspected.

Some experts have described this as inadequate regulation, opening up an unsafe black market for such products.

“The people who elect to get these drugs from unlicensed places are playing Russian roulette with their lives,” she added.

“They don’t know what they might be injecting into themselves and that terrifies me.

“I made sure I went to a GP to get mine, rather than just going online, because I really wanted to make sure all the correct medical checks were done.”

Ms Harris said she has never spent more than £150 a month on her private prescription, but, like many of the 750,000 people in the UK who are thought to be using Mounjaro, she now faces paying hundreds of pounds extra a month. Her 15mg dose is increasing to £429 a month.

She has written to the health secretary, Wes Streeting, to ask for help for those who cannot afford the weight-loss jab.

In the letter, Ms Harris said the impact of the price rise was of “huge concern” and called on him to work with the manufacturers to “keep the cost for patients at, or near, the current level”. It would also “keep the NHS waiting list at a lower level,” she claimed.

In the letter, she explained the drug could be life-saving and save the NHS millions, with obesity currently costing the NHS £107bn each year.

It comes as thousands of NHS patients who could benefit from the weight-loss jab Mounjaro are missing out due to funding issues.

The Welsh government states that weight-loss treatments such as Mounjaro are prescription-only and should only be obtained and used in accordance with a prescription from a registered and appropriately trained healthcare professional.

“No one should purchase prescription only medicines other than from reputable suppliers such as registered pharmacies. Medicines obtained from unregulated sources pose a major risk to people’s safety.

“Healthcare professionals prescribing weight-loss treatments must act in accordance with the standards set by the respective professional regulatory bodies.”

Speaking on behalf of the British Medical Association (BMA) Dr Gareth Oelmann said:

“GLP-1 weight loss injections, and Mounjaro is just one of them, is a promising development for obesity management.

“But safe prescribing, clear commissioning, and robust patient safeguards must come as part and parcel of that wider rollout.”

Millions pledged to revive Welsh centres — Swansea, Port Talbot, Haverfordwest, Porthcawl and Bridgend among winners

Town and city centres across Wales are in line for a major facelift after the Welsh Government unveiled a £19.6m cash package. The funding, part of the Transforming Towns and Placemaking programmes, will target empty shops, tired public spaces and stalled developments — with South West Wales councils among the biggest winners.

Swansea’s Biophilic Living gets fresh cash

Swansea Council has secured more than £559,000 for the commercial and retail elements of the flagship Biophilic Living scheme, which promises 50 affordable homes alongside shops and offices in a nature‑inspired design.

A further £1.36m is earmarked for the Mowbray Yard redevelopment, creating a new green courtyard space in the heart of the city centre.

Port Talbot facelift for Aberafan Shopping Centre

In Port Talbot, up to £840,000 will fund a redesign of the public realm outside the southern entrance of the Aberafan Shopping Centre, aiming to boost footfall and modernise the tired frontage.

Haverfordwest Wilko site transformed

Pembrokeshire County Council will receive more than £1.27m to redevelop the former Wilko store in Haverfordwest, part of the Western Quayside regeneration. A smaller grant of £100,000 will also support works at 16‑18 Bridge Street.

Porthcawl seafront gets new events space

Bridgend Council has secured £600,000 to create a new events space on the Hillsboro South site in Porthcawl, a key part of the seafront regeneration plans.

Wyndham House overhaul for Bridgend town centre

Bridgend will also benefit from £1.78m to acquire and refurbish Wyndham House, with housing association Valleys to Coast planning to transform the building into its new HQ alongside apartments and commercial units.

Welsh Government hails “heart and soul” of communities

Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government Jayne Bryant said the funding would “breathe new life into our high streets, support local traders, and create the vibrant, welcoming spaces that our communities deserve.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

City Centre ‘Biophilic Swansea’ scheme ‘a first for the UK’
Landmark Biophilic Living project promises homes, shops and offices built around nature-inspired design.

New city centre courtyard to honour late council officer Huw Mowbray
Swansea Council begins work on Mowbray Yard, a green courtyard space due for completion in 2026.

Aberavon Shopping Centre regeneration coverage
Updates and stories on Port Talbot’s busiest retail hub, including plans for a public realm facelift.

Haverfordwest ‘Western Quayside’ project gets underway
Bold redevelopment of the former department store site aims to transform the riverside area.

Valleys to Coast unveils plans to transform Bridgend town centre building
Wyndham House set to become housing association HQ alongside apartments and commercial units.

Councils warn £6.4bn Welsh Government funding plan still leaves schools and care services under pressure

The provisional figures, published today, promise an average 2.7% increase in funding for local authorities, with a guaranteed minimum uplift of 2.3%. Newport receives the largest rise at 4.3%, reflecting growth in its school‑age population. But the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) says the overall £169m cash increase falls far short of the £560m shortfall councils expect to face next year.

Education and social care at the sharp end

Education already accounts for nearly 40% of council spending in Wales, and the strain is visible locally. Carmarthenshire, which will receive £384.8m next year — up £8.9m, or 2.3% — has embarked on a programme of school closures and mergers in recent years, citing rising costs and falling pupil numbers.

Swansea, meanwhile, will receive £494.1m, an increase of £16.1m, also at the minimum 2.3% uplift. Neither council has yet commented publicly on the draft settlement, but WLGA modelling suggests that even a 3% increase would still leave councils hundreds of millions short, raising the prospect of further cuts or tax hikes across Wales.

Leaders warn of structural pressures

WLGA Labour Group Leader Andrew Morgan OBE said the settlement “offers a degree of stability” but warned that “social care, homelessness, education and workforce costs continue to rise faster than resources can keep up.”

Independent Group Leader Mark Pritchard described the gap between demand and resources as “untenable,” warning redundancies would be inevitable without additional support. Plaid Cymru’s Gary Pritchard said many councils were already operating at the limits of what is safe or sustainable, and called for reform of the funding formula. Liberal Democrat Group Leader Jake Berriman added that rural and semi‑rural areas face higher delivery costs that a flat percentage uplift “simply doesn’t reflect.”

Political pressure mounts

Plaid Cymru’s Heledd Fychan MS warned the settlement could lead to “council tax increases of 22% or 14,000 job losses,” while Welsh Conservative shadow local government secretary Joel James said the figures showed the need for “fundamental change” to the funding system.

The Welsh Government said the draft budget marked only the start of negotiations. Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government Jayne Bryant said the settlement was designed to give councils “the stability they need to set budgets which protect and deliver core frontline services.” Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford added that ministers would work closely with councils and opposition parties to ensure the final budget “safeguards jobs and protects frontline services.”

The final settlement is expected in January following consultation and Senedd negotiations.

#budget #cllrAndrewMorgan #councilBudget #councilTax #garyPritchard #heleddFychanMs #jakeBerriman #markDrakeford #markPritchard #welshGovernment #welshLocalGovermentAssociation #wlga

Welsh councils warn of massive council tax rises or 13,000 job losses

Filling a gap from Welsh Government funding could see 20% rises in council tax, they have warnedMark Drakeford…
#NewsBeep #News #UnitedKingdom #GB #GreatBritain #MarkDrakeford #UK #WelshGovernment
https://www.newsbeep.com/uk/201048/

https://www.europesays.com/uk/462541/ Welsh place names to be safeguarded under new initiative #Britain #GreatBritain #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales #WelshGovernment #WelshHistory #WelshLanguage

https://www.europesays.com/uk/451872/ Big change announced to council tax in Wales #Britain #GreatBritain #MarkDrakeford #Politics #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales #WelshGovernment

https://www.europesays.com/uk/371146/ Full list of 20mph roads in your area of Wales set to return to 30mph #20mphSpeedLimit #Anglesey #BlaenauGwent #Britain #Caerphilly #Cardiff #Carmarthenshire #Ceredigion #Conwy #Denbighshire #Flintshire #GreatBritain #Gwynedd #MerthyrTydfil #Monmouthshire #NeathPortTalbot #Newport #Pembrokeshire #Powys #RhonddaCynonTaf #Swansea #Torfaen #UK #UnitedKingdom #ValeOfGlamorgan #Wales #WelshGovernment #Wrexham

https://www.europesays.com/uk/369997/ ‘Record low’ number of new homes built in Wales this year #Britain #Cardiff #Carmarthenshire #Ceredigion #Conwy #Denbighshire #GreatBritain #Gwent #Gwynedd #HomesAndProperty #HomesForSale #HousePrices #Monmouthshire #Newport #Pembrokeshire #Politics #Swansea #UK #UnitedKingdom #ValeOfGlamorgan #Wales #WelshGovernment #Wrexham

https://www.europesays.com/uk/350917/ The £10 million Welsh business park that still has no businesses in it #Britain #BrocastleBusinessPark #GreatBritain #RuralArea #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales #WelshGovernment #WelshTown

Three-weekly bin rounds loom in one of ‘worst-performing’ areas in Wales

It is one of the worst areas of Wales for recyclingGeneric image of black wheelie bins(Image: Darren Quinton/Reach)…
#NewsBeep #News #Environment #Caerphilly #CaerphillyCouncil #environment #Politics #Science #UK #UnitedKingdom #WelshGovernment #YourMoney
https://www.newsbeep.com/uk/9018/

https://www.europesays.com/uk/220978/ Wales’ ‘most dangerous road’ was meant to be fixed, now someone else is dead #Britain #CentralReservation #DualCarriageway #GreatBritain #junctions #Monmouth #MonmouthRoad #MostDangerousRoads #Raglan #RoadAccidents #RoadSigns #TrunkRoad #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales #WelshGovernment

https://www.europesays.com/uk/181216/ Wales is overhauling its democracy – here’s what’s changing #BangorUniversity #Britain #GreatBritain #Senedd #SeneddReform #TheConversation #UK #UnitedKingdom #Voting #Wales #WelshGovernment

https://www.europesays.com/uk/174638/ Chancellor Rachel Reeves set to promise Wales nearly half a billion pounds for rail #JoStevens #News #Transport #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales #WelshGovernment

In October 2023, we recommended that the Welsh Government simplify the planning process for air source heat pumps 👉️ https://nationalinfrastructurecommission.wales/renewable2050/

Now you can respond to the consultation with your opinion https://www.gov.wales/changes-permitted-development-rights

#WelshGovernment #Consultation @wales

Former department store to be transformed into arts hub thanks to £780k Welsh Government grant

The former JT Morgan department store in Swansea city centre has been vacant for more than 15 years and this renovation will transform it into a multi-purpose arts centre.

Elysium Art Limited, an artist led organisation, is delivering the project to support and promote the arts in Swansea and beyond.

The project will create a new cultural destination in Swansea city centre, helping to regenerate the area and attract more visitors.

Once renovated, the first and second floors will be used as lettable studio space for artists, with the ground floor being used for a gallery, meeting spaces and a café.

The basement refurbishment will provide additional studio space, storage and potentially a small cinema.

The Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, recently visited the building: “This investment perfectly aligns with our Programme for Government commitments to make our towns and cities better places to live and work, while tackling the issue of empty buildings.  

“By breathing new life into this disused space, we’re not only enhancing Swansea’s cultural offering but also creating opportunities for local artists and generating increased footfall that will benefit other businesses in the city centre.  

“Our Transforming Towns funding is about supporting communities to reimagine their urban spaces, and this project is an excellent example of how strategic investment can deliver multiple benefits.”  

Works are already underway and the first and second floors are expected to be completed by the summer.  

Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart said: “It’s fantastic that we can work with developers, businesses and other organisations to invest Welsh Government Transforming Towns grant funding across our city.  

“The council-driven £1bn regeneration programme is powering ahead – and projects such as Elysium Art at the former JT Morgan and Y Storfa at the former BHS are great examples of that.  

“Other notable advances coming soon include the transformation of Castle Square into a greener more welcoming public focal point and the opening of the groundbreaking Biophilic Living building between The Kingsway and Oxford Street.”  

The Cabinet Secretary also visited Y Storfa, the former BHS department store on Oxford Street, which is set to become a public services hub, providing access to council services and hosting a range of other services including the West Glamorgan Archive Service and external partners including Citizens’ Advice.  

The project has received more than £13m in both loan and grant funding from the Welsh Government.  

#Art #CllrRobStewart #ElysiumGallery #JayneBryantMS #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #TransformingTowns #WelshGovernment

Former department store to be transformed into arts hub thanks to £780k Welsh Government grant

The former JT Morgan department store in Swansea city centre has been vacant for more than 15 years and this renovation will transform it into a multi-purpose arts centre.

Elysium Art Limited, an artist led organisation, is delivering the project to support and promote the arts in Swansea and beyond.

The project will create a new cultural destination in Swansea city centre, helping to regenerate the area and attract more visitors.

Once renovated, the first and second floors will be used as lettable studio space for artists, with the ground floor being used for a gallery, meeting spaces and a café.

The basement refurbishment will provide additional studio space, storage and potentially a small cinema.

The Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, recently visited the building: “This investment perfectly aligns with our Programme for Government commitments to make our towns and cities better places to live and work, while tackling the issue of empty buildings.  

“By breathing new life into this disused space, we’re not only enhancing Swansea’s cultural offering but also creating opportunities for local artists and generating increased footfall that will benefit other businesses in the city centre.  

“Our Transforming Towns funding is about supporting communities to reimagine their urban spaces, and this project is an excellent example of how strategic investment can deliver multiple benefits.”  

Works are already underway and the first and second floors are expected to be completed by the summer.  

Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart said: “It’s fantastic that we can work with developers, businesses and other organisations to invest Welsh Government Transforming Towns grant funding across our city.  

“The council-driven £1bn regeneration programme is powering ahead – and projects such as Elysium Art at the former JT Morgan and Y Storfa at the former BHS are great examples of that.  

“Other notable advances coming soon include the transformation of Castle Square into a greener more welcoming public focal point and the opening of the groundbreaking Biophilic Living building between The Kingsway and Oxford Street.”  

The Cabinet Secretary also visited Y Storfa, the former BHS department store on Oxford Street, which is set to become a public services hub, providing access to council services and hosting a range of other services including the West Glamorgan Archive Service and external partners including Citizens’ Advice.  

The project has received more than £13m in both loan and grant funding from the Welsh Government.  

#Art #CllrRobStewart #ElysiumGallery #JayneBryantMS #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #TransformingTowns #WelshGovernment

Two lovely Research Associate roles with Wales Centre for Public Policy

#Wales #Research #jobs #Welshgovernment #policy

https://wcpp.org.uk/about/job/research-associate-2-posts/