
Warm Home Discount scheme welcomed by Monmouthshire MP
The support comes through an expanded Warm Home Discount scheme, will provide eligible households with £150 off their energy bills next winter.
Catherine Fookes, MP for Monmouthshire, said: "From my recent survey and speaking to residents on the doorstep, I know the cost of living is one of the key concerns for families across Monmouthshire.
"So I very much welcome this news, it's a positive step forward and will provide millions more families across the UK with cost of living support, energy security and put more money in people's pockets.
"This is welcome progress, but I know energy and water bills are still too high and people are still struggling after the past 15 years.
"I will keep pushing the government to do even more to support those across Monmouthshire and bring energy bills down by producing our own Welsh green energy."
The UK Government has announced that an additional 2.7 million households across the UK will now qualify for the £150 discount, bringing the total to more than six million.
This includes 900,000 families with children and 1.8 million households living in fuel poverty.

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Business News Wales
an hour ago
- Business News Wales
First Minister Visits Wrexham University to Tour Trail-Blazing Facilities and Discuss Civic Impact
First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan MS paid a visit to Wrexham University to view some of the institution's ground-breaking facilities, including the soon-to-be complete Enterprise Engineering and Optics Centre (EEOC) building – North Wales Growth Deal's first construction project. The First Minister met students and staff from a range of subject areas to hear all about the university's newly launched 2030 Vision and Strategy and its overarching ambition to become a world-leading, modern civic university. During the visit, the First Minister toured the trail-blazing EEOC development, which will become a specialist centre for industry engagement, research, and innovation, and will provide North Wales with a centre for collaboration and skills development in sustainability, renewables, and high value manufacturing. The First Minister's tour of the EEOC came just days before International Women in Engineering Day. She spent time speaking with Selina Thomas, a final-year Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering student, who highlighted her work in supporting North Wales-based firm KnitMesh Technologies by investigating the impact strength of composites. She was also given the opportunity to view the university's Health Simulation Centre, where staff highlighted the institution's work in strengthening and developing the public sector workforce in North Wales, with Welsh language provision at the core of that. The First Minister heard how since launching 'Cyfle', the institution's Welsh Language Academic Strategy and Action Plan just under three years ago, Welsh language modules have been introduced to a number of degree courses including Speech and Language Therapy, Professional Policing, Education and more. Staff also updated the First Minister on progress relating to current works taking place on campus on the next phase of enhancing the University's Health and Education Innovation Quarter (HEIQ). She heard how the next phase will take the university's facilities to even further heights – ensuring that industry-leading technology is available to students' by creating a new immersive teaching environment, which will allow for a combination of both virtual and augmented reality. It will also include a Teaching and Learning Lab and a Hydrasimulation Suite – which is being developed in conjunction with the Hydra Foundation – that will help students with their critical decision-making skills, through simulation of emergency situations. The visit concluded with a positive discussion on the university's Civic Mission work, with a focus on how the institution is at the forefront of driving systemic change in the region through connecting partner organisations, sharing knowledge and unlocking collective action, all with the aim of helping to put an end to social inequality across North Wales by 2030. Professor Joe Yates, Vice-Chancellor of Wrexham University, said: 'We were delighted to welcome the First Minister to the university and proudly showcase our incredible facilities – in particular, our Enterprise Engineering and Optics Centre, which is due to open at the start of the next academic year in September, as well as our cutting-edge Health Simulation Centre. 'The visit also provided us with a welcome opportunity to highlight our newly launched 2030 Vision and Strategy, and also shine a light on how higher education institutions have a crucial role to play in helping to shape a more resilient and prosperous Wales. Our work in building skills but also strengthening and developing a bilingual public sector workforce in North Wales, and our Civic Mission, in terms of providing systems leadership, demonstrates the positive impact our institution has on the communities we serve. 'Thank you to the First Minister for her time and engagement with us – it was a pleasure to welcome her, and showcase just some of our fantastic work.' First Minister Eluned Morgan MS added: 'I was pleased to see first-hand the facilities at Wrexham University, especially the EEOC, which will soon become a vital hub for industry collaboration and skills development across North Wales. 'Through their civic work, our higher education institutions can serve as powerful anchors in their communities, supporting business and unlocking collective action to tackle inequality while preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow.'


Wales Online
3 hours ago
- Wales Online
‘Wales is being treated with contempt' say campaigners as bill on PIP presented in Westminster before Welsh consultation is held
'Wales is being treated with contempt' say campaigners as bill on PIP presented in Westminster before Welsh consultation is held Wales is expected to be hardest hit by the proposed reforms People had decended to the streets of Cardiff and Swansea to protest against the proposed reforms to disability benefits (Image: Mark Lewis ) Activists campaigning against proposed reforms to disability benefits are furious after the concerned bill was tabled in Westminster before an in-person public consultation was held in Wales. The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill was introduced in Westminster on June 18, 2025 — this was five days before a public consultation for Wales is held on Monday, June 23. Under the proposed UK government plans, people currently availing PIP will need to score at least four points in at at least one daily living activity to avail support for everyday tasks. Data released by Liberal Demoracts following a written parliamentary question, shows that currently, throughout Wales, every local authority has at least 80% of those receiving the standard rate of PIP at a risk of losing support with more than half of Welsh Local authorities seeing 90% at risk. Ben Golighty, a member of DPAC Cymru who is at risk of losing PIP under new reforms (Image: Shaurya Shaurya ) Wales is said to be particularly hard hit by the proposed reforms, making it more painful for campaigners that the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill was introduced before a public consultation is held here. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here 'I think it's outrageous. The consultation was always going to be unfair because half the proposals, like the most important proposals they were never up for discussion at all from the beginning,' said Ben Golighty, a member of Disabled People Againt Cuts (DPAC) Cymru. Article continues below 'And they'll be voting on it three days after the consultation ends, basically before the ink is even dry in the consultation responses, before they've had a chance to read it,' he said. 'It's just a mockery. They're not even pretending to listen. 'I think it treats disabled people with contempt, it treats Wales with contempt…It's outrageous that they're not listening to disabled people and carers.' The public consultation has already drawn ire from campaigners as it was cancelled once at the last minute by the venue. 'I think it's really important to note that whey they cancelled it, they didn't plan to reschedule it,' Ben said. 'The original one was it was totally inaccessible, it was so badly organised, it was basically disability discrimination and the only reason we have one at all now is because Disabled People Against Cuts protested, we got media scrutiny and we got a member of the Senedd to wave a letter in the Welsh Parliament. 'So the only reason we have a consultation in Wales at all is because we forced them to do better and I think it's just another example of how badly we've been treated.' A DWP spokesperson has said: 'It is crucial that the views and voices of sick or disabled people across Wales are at the heart of our reforms, which is why we've rescheduled a consultation event in Cardiff after it was cancelled by the venue. 'We are determined to create a welfare system that supports people into work and out of poverty. That is why we have today introduced a Bill to Parliament to reform the welfare system, putting social security spending on a more sustainable footing while ensuring protection for those who need it most. 'We will continue to look at the specific impacts for those living in Wales as we seek to support people back into work if they are able, while also protecting those who rely on our social security system.' Many people on PIP says they will be pushed into poverty if their support is withdrawn (Image: Mark Lewis ) DPAC Cymru members have also expressed their discontent at some of the language used by Labour leaders, and have alleged that they have received 'copy paste' replies from their MPs when they have sought a meeting regarding the proposed changes. 'MPs would be telling us, 'don't worry, take part in the consultation'. The consultation was always going to be unfair, but, the bill is in parliament before the consultation has even ended. The consultation isn't enough,' Ben said. 'So there's got to be that leadership from MPs who're supposed to be representing us. Also, in particular, we just need clear answers from them and not copy and paste responses.' He added: 'A lot of Labour MPs and ministers have been able to go on the news and say quite offensive things like Rachael Reeves comparing disability benefits to children's pocket money. 'She never actually apologised. The news headline said she apologised, but she didn't. And I think disabled people should be able to have a right of reply and should be able to argue.' Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones had been criticised for drawing up an analogy between the disability benefits and children's pocket money, for which he had later apologised. When asked about the chief Secretary's comments by LBC, Chancellor Rachel Reeves had said: "My children and the chief secretary's children are too young, but if you have a 16-year-old and you say, 'Do you know what I'm not going to give you so much pocket money. I want you to go out to work'. "And then the OBR [Office for Budget Responsibility] does an impact assessment and says your child is going to be worse off - well, they're going to be worse off if they don't go and get themselves a Saturday job. "But if they do go and get themselves a Saturday job, they'll probably be better off and they probably might enjoy it as well. Now, I know, that's not the right analogy, but there are lots of people who have a disability that are desperate to work." Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has refused making comments comparing PIP to children's pocket money (Image: Getty Images ) When Ms Reeves was later asked at a select committee if she would apologise for for the minister's comments, which it was said that she repeated, she replied: 'The Chief Secretary to the Treasury has apologised for the clumsy language that he used. "It wasn't the right language. I was asked a specific question, I did not, first of all hear, the previous interview of the chief secretary and so the question to me was put about pocket money but it's not a right analogy and apologies have already been made.' When asked if she would apologise for the comments that she made, the Chancellor said: 'I don't think I made the same comments but that analogy of comparing pocket money and personal independence payment is clearly not right.' DPAC Cymru members have also expressed particular discontent with Swansea West MP Torsten Bell, who they accuse of calling them 'keyboard warriors' and have alleged that the minister has refused to have a discussion with them on numerous occasions. However, the a spokesperson for Mr Bell has refuted all their claims and has said that his statements have been taken out of context. A spokesperson for Torsten Bell has said: 'It is simply untrue that Torsten has refused to meet with Swansea DPAC. Torsten has been meeting regularly with constituents about proposed changes to the welfare system and will continue to do so – as individuals and as part of groups. 'Every constituent that has approached our office asking for a meeting has been offered one. This is the same approach as taken by neighbouring MPs, and is in accordance with strict rules that prohibit MPs from pursuing issues raised by people who are not resident in their constituency.' A placard held at the DPAC Cymru protest in May, accusing Mr Bell of avoiding the campaign group (Image: Shaurya Shaurya ) Ben from DPAC Cymru said: 'On the day of the spring statement when we had our protest in Swansea, and there were like dozens and dozens of comments from disabled people. 'Because the spring statement, all the focus was on the disability cuts. So it was taken very badly by lots of disabled people on the day." 'Then later he used the word burden in the context of carers, which disabled people are quite sensitive about that word,' Ben said. 'It's one that most guidelines about language say you shouldn't really use that word, so that was one we pointed out to him. Without acknowledging it, when the media asked questions about it, he deleted that many called us liars.' Ben said: 'I just think there's no need. He's using this language all the time... 'Recently, just about a week ago, he made a video and he attacked what he called garbage meme muppets and recently as well, he was talking to pension economists and he called them cheap and lazy. He's accused us of saying things that are disgracefully untrue, spreading falsehoods, liars.' The Facebook post by MP Torsten Bell where DPAC member says the word 'burden' was used in context of carers for disabled people (Image: Facebook Screengrab Torsten Bell MP ) The Swansea West Labour Party post, where DPAC say they were called "keyboard warriors" (Image: Facebook Screengrab Swansea West Labour Party ) The spokesperson for Mr Bell added: 'The proposed changes to disability and incapacity benefits need to be discussed in a manner reflecting the complexity and sensitivity of the issue. Torsten will continue to do that with constituents and always encourages people to get in touch. 'Torsten has categorically never used this language to describe disabled people. These quotes are made-up, using language that was never used in the context of this issue, but will cause real distress to some extremely vulnerable people.' As of now, and according to figures released by Liberal Democrats post their written parliamentary question, 90.19% of PIP claimants recieiving the standard rate in Mr Bell's constituency, Swansea West scored less than four points in daily living activities, meaning they are at risk of losing support. 'It'll [proposed bill] push people away from work. They've mentioned the so-called support that's going to help people. They haven't said what that will be yet,' Ben said. 'They're cutting support before they've even told us what they're going to help people with.' He added: 'I don't think it'll even save money. You know it's supposed to be about cuts, about saving money for taxpayer. I don't think it will even do that. A lot of government departments and a lot of economists have warned it's not going to save the money they think it will. 'All I think it's about is, it's quite cynical, I think they think it is about votes, it is about electoral strategy from the Labour Party.' Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has said: 'Our social security system is at a crossroads. Unless we reform it, more people will be denied opportunities, and it may not be there for those who need it. 'This legislation represents a new social contract and marks the moment we take the road of compassion, opportunity and dignity. 'This will give people peace of mind, while also fixing our broken social security system so it supports those who can work to do so while protecting those who cannot - putting welfare spending on a more sustainable path to unlock growth as part of our Plan for Change.' Phil Coleman says he'll be pushed into poverty with the new disability reforms (Image: Shaurya Shaurya ) Phil Coleman, 58, from Pontardawe, who once thrived as a maintenance technician at Swansea's National Waterfront Museum is now grappling with the debilitating effects of long-Covid, unable to continue his work. Now reliant on benefits and his life savings for income, he told WalesOnline during the DPAC postest in Swansea against the proposed reforms in May this year: "I've got long Covid, and I got long Covid three years ago. Before that, I was a very fit, healthy person, and I've paid tax and national insurance for 40 years. "So I feel I've already paid into the system. So I think it's absolutely atrocious now that the benefits of some of the most vulnerable people in society are being cut." He emphasised the difficulty he faces if his financial support is slashed further. Phil outlined: "I'm on a benefit, I'm on employment support allowance, which is not a lot of money. It's great and I'm lucky that I've got savings because I've worked for 40 years and I am actually using my savings because the benefit is not enough to live on. It's as simple as that. It [reduction in benefits] will plunge me into poverty, basically." Addressing his bleak retirement prospects, he shared: "I'm 10 years off retiring. I've been denied early retirement on grounds of ill health because at the moment I've been told, 'Well, you've got long Covid, you could get better.' "I also have a heart problem that was caused by long Covid. So I can't retire early. If likely I lose my benefit... that's my only income at the moment." You can read more about the experiences of those on PIP at risk of losing support by clicking here. Article continues below


Powys County Times
3 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Bluetongue rules 'risk devastating farmers' along the border
The Welsh Government have been warned that Bluetongue rules 'risk devastating farmers and livestock markets right the way along the border. MP for Brecon, Radnorshire and Cwm Tawe David Chadwick and Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds have demanded urgent action to support farmers in Powys and across the Welsh marches. New rules set to come into force on July 1 will see sheep unable to cross the Welsh border unless it has had a bluetongue test, even if it has been vaccinated, which can cost as much as £70 per animal. The Welsh Government has relaxed rules on cattle to allow vaccinated animals to enter, however sheep will not be subject to the change despite there being over 8 million sheep being farmed in Wales in 2024. Much of the trade taking place across the England-Wales border and local farmer James Gittins warned that "in the worst-case scenario, we are going to see the numbers of lambs produced in Wales drop by 10 to 20 per cent, from which it may never recover." Livestock markets such as Builth, Prestige and Welshpool are also set to be massively hit by the rules. In Westminster on Thursday, Mr Chadwick questioned the UK Government EFRA Minister about how it plans to prevent a de facto veterinary hard border between England and Wales and protect cross-border farms from economic harm. Chadwick warned that the cost of testing 'is a devastating burden our local farmers cannot afford to take on at a time they are already under such significant financial pressure'. While acknowledging the seriousness of the issue, the Minister declined to commit to additional support, citing devolved powers. 'These sudden and costly changes risk devastating farmers and livestock markets right the way along the border,' said Mr Chadwick. 'Cross-border movement is essential to how agriculture works in this region, it's not optional. If nothing changes, this will do serious damage to rural livelihoods and the local economy. 'We need urgent coordination between the Welsh and UK Governments to ease the burden and protect our farms.' In the Senedd, Jane Dodds raised the impact the policy is having on farmers' mental health, and urged the Welsh Government to work more closely together with a focus on vaccination over an unworkable testing and licensing scheme. Both representatives are calling for a joined-up, four-nation response to bluetongue, including surge funding for testing and vaccination. 'I've spoken with farmers, vets, and local markets and the message is clear, the current plan is unworkable,' said Ms Dodds. 'Testing is costly, slow, and does nothing to support already stressed farm communities. 'Vaccination must be at the heart of our response. We need a united approach between both Cardiff and London that puts farmers' wellbeing and practical realities first.'