More families access free childcare through Flying Start
To date, more than 10,000 children have benefited from the scheme, surpassing the goal of reaching 9,500 additional children.
Dawn Bowden, minister for children and social care, said: "This significant expansion has exceeded our targets, bringing quality early years support to thousands more children.
"High quality early years provision helps to maximise child development outcomes and supports the best start in life.
"I'm immensely proud of our Flying Start workforce for making this possible as we work towards universal childcare for all two-year-olds."
Over the past two years, more than 13,400 children and families have been offered places, with 80 per cent taking up the offer in 2024-25.
Flying Start offers 12.5 hours of free, high-quality childcare each week for eligible two-year-olds.
The Welsh Government has invested an additional £25 million this year to expand the programme further, with a third phase expected to reach more than 4,000 additional children across Wales.
The scheme also supports the government's goal of reaching one million Welsh speakers by 2050, with more than 2,000 places in phase two taken up at Welsh-medium settings.
Mark Drakeford, cabinet secretary for finance and Welsh language, said: "It's encouraging to see more families choosing Welsh-medium childcare."
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North Wales Live
14 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Life becomes a nightmare for hunderds of Welsh holiday let owners snared by hidden legal trap
Thousands of holiday let owners in Wales have been left bewildered after being hit with massive council tax bills out of the blue. It comes as an industry survey suggests nearly half of the country's self-catering businesses are now losing money, or barely breaking even, after failing achieve new letting targets set by the government. A little-known change in the law has seen many owners receiving council tax demands that often run into tens of thousands. Payments are often expected within seven days with the prospect of legal proceedings if they fail to settle. The huge bills stem from a legal technicality over the number of nights a property has been let. Although many owners believed they have met new letting thresholds set by the Welsh Government, and so thought they would not be liable for council tax, they've been caught out by a legislative pitfall. According to critics, it's left the holiday let sector in Wales on a 'cliff-edge'. The Professional Association of Self-Caterers (PASC) said it is currently dealing with hundreds of cases with more inquiries coming in every day from disbelieving owners bereft at the iniquity of the situation. A Welsh-speaking family letting out the family home in Abersoch, Gwynedd, is facing a three-year bill for £21,000 despite meeting all of what they thought to be their targets. They say Cyngor Gwynedd is understanding but the situation is placing intolerable demands on the property's 85-year-old owner. Meanwhile, a couple in Flintshire have received a demand for nearly £10,000. Colin and Rebecca Jones, from Afonwen, were left shocked to get a 'ridiculous' bill for a small two-person cottage just 8ft-9ft from the family home, a former mill with its old water wheel still in the garden. 'You can imagine the stress,' said Rebecca, an NHS personal assistant. 'It's horrendous. It's having a terrible impact on our lives and we're now having to look at all options, including annexing the properties and stripping out the cottage's kitchen.' Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now Since launching their business in February 2022, Colin and Rebecca have met what they thought were their required targets. In the first year, they hit 164 nights – way over the 70-night threshold that apparently existed at the time. When the bar was raised in April 2023, requiring owners to let their properties for at least 182 nights, they redoubled their efforts and, with price-cutting, they managed to meet the 182-night target in the subsequent two years. In the current financial year, they've so far let the cottage for 101 nights and are confident of reaching the target again. Hitting the lettings threshold is important as it qualifies owners for cheaper business rates rather than more expensive second home council tax, which often come with an added 'second home' premium. As this premium is as high as 200% in some counties - effectively trebling council tax bills – it can make the difference between a business succeeding or failing Colin and Rebecca were shocked to discover that, when assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), they were deemed to have failed to have met their letting targets. Like many owners, they believed that as the law only changed from April 2023, they only needed to reach the new letting thresholds from then on. They hadn't realised the 182-night rule applies retrospectively - meaning they missed the threshold in the first year. This made them liable for council tax for each of the past three years. Nicky Williamson, Wales policy lead at PASC Cymru, said she was not surprised so many people can't understand what's going on. 'We're getting lots of exasperated calls every day,' she said. 'It's very confusing and it's difficult for people to get their heads around what's happening. Assessments must be made on a daily basis, so we have situations where owners are getting notices on March 31 saying they met the 70-day target, followed by notices on April 1 saying they hadn't as the rules had changed. 'It's awful, a total minefield. But whether we like it or not, unfortunately it's the law. We're working with the VOA on this issue and, to be fair, they're doing their best within the legal limitations. But they're in a pretty impossible situation, now facing extra demands at a time when they're already dealing with huge backlogs.' The upshot is that the 70-night target was an illusion for most holiday lets in Wales in 2022-23. The situation has been compared to a football match where, late in the second half, players are told the rules have changed and the goalposts have been shifted. Local authorities are not at fault – they can only act on VOA assessments of a property's status based on the law at the time. The fall-out is sending shockwaves through a sector that's already struggling to meet the higher 182-night threshold. Of the estimated 22,000 short-term lets in Wales, feedback suggests around half are failing to hit the target. For owners, the ramifications are disastrous. In a recent PASC Cymru survey, 47% of owners now paying premium council taxes said they are now losing money. In North Wales, only Wrexham Council doesn't charge a second home premium. Elsewhere, it ranges from 100% (double) to 200% (treble). Councils justify the policy as a necessary measure to manage the proliferation of holiday and second homes, aiming to alleviate the housing crisis. But with tourism a major contributor to the Welsh economy, critics claim the approach risks hobbling the industry. Nicky noted the typical holiday let in Wales is a two-bedroom cottage. 'The average turnover for these businesses is £20,000 which, after costs, returns an average profit of £3,000,' she said. 'So it's easy to see why nearly half of all lets are now losing money when faced with large council tax demands, some of them unexpected. Being moved to council tax from business rates is associated with around half of Welsh self-catering businesses becoming non-viable.' Amongst the worst cases known to PASC involves a three-generation, Welsh-speaking family forced to give up their home of 50 years. After buying a derelict farm, they developed it into a five-star holiday let complex with four cottages, focusing on family holidays for more than 20 years. When they received a back-dated council tax demand for £37,000, they had no option but to sell up. Feeling misled When recovering council taxes, local authorities have some discretion. However, Freedom of Information requests by PASC Cymru indicate few are applying it. An exception appears to be Cyngor Gwynedd. According to the Abersoch owners facing a £21,000 bill, they're now stuck in an endless cycle of demands, followed by pleas for delays and clemency. Invariably these are agreed, only for renewed demands to arrive in the post a few weeks later. They too met all their official letting targets – or so they thought. 'We are a Welsh family from the area who have owned this house since the 1930s,' said the owner's daughter, who asked not to be named. 'We are not someone who has bought into the area. This is a family home handed down the generations that we still use as well as letting it out. 'The council must have hundreds of owners in a similar position. They tell us they are waiting for the government to sort it out. In the meantime we're facing large and unfair bills.' Many in the industry consider the rule changes amounted to retrospective legislation. Although VOA letters were sent to holiday let owners in October 2022, alerting them to the upcoming changes, awareness remains low. Even had the sector realised the implications at the time, few businesses would have been able to shift gears and increase lettings to make up the difference, having missed the busy summer season. Many in the sector feel misled. PASC Cymru said there's little holiday let owners can do. 'It's difficult to challenge the legislation,' said Nicky Williamson. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Feeling trapped The VOA is encouraging all holiday let owners to continue paying their council taxes or business rates whilst any cases are reviewed. A spokesperson said: 'Following Welsh Government's announcement of the new business rates criteria for self-catering properties, we wrote to all self-catering property owners in October 2022 to let them know about upcoming changes and how this would be assessed. 'If businesses feel they have been incorrectly assessed they can provide evidence for our teams to review. If a customer informs us that they are experiencing financial hardship we will prioritise their case.' In Afonwen, Colin and Rebecca now feel trapped. As things stand, making a profit is difficult enough without large and unexpected bills. Mothballing their holiday let would not only depreciate the property, it would attract an empty home premium. Like the second home equivalent in Flintshire, this currently amounts to 100% on top of standard council tax bills. From next year, Flintshire's empty home premium will be levied on a sliding scale ranging from 150%-300%. In an attempt to stop the two properties being considered separate homes, one option being explored is to link them together via an extension, and stripping out the cottage kitchen. It's an approach that's been tried elsewhere in Wales but PASC Cymru said a legal precedent has yet to be set. Colin, a quantity survey, is determined to fight for justice and has raised a formal complaint with the VOA. He said: 'This is not a second home, it is literally less than 10 steps from our back door. We do not go there for weekends or on holiday!'
Leader Live
15 hours ago
- Leader Live
Wrexham: Overton property on the market for £700,000
The property in Overton, dating back to the 16th century, is on the market with Monopoly Buy Sell Rent for £700,000. Boasting five bedrooms, the property also has three bathrooms, four reception rooms and large gardens and parking space. A spokesperson for Monopoly Buy Sell Rent said: "Situated just outside Overton-on-Dee, a small but vibrant village of unspoiled charm, with beautiful surroundings on the Welsh, Shropshire and Cheshire borders. "This impressive detached barn conversion dating from the 16th century offers a perfect blend of space, comfort, and modern living. Spanning an expansive 2,638 square feet, this property is ideal for families seeking a generous home with ample room for entertaining and relaxation. "Upon entering, you are greeted by a welcoming entrance hall proving access to the impressive dining hall, kitchen/breakfast room, cloakroom, three bedrooms and the family bathroom. Two further receptions to include a cosy lounge with wood burning stove and an impressively spacious first floor living room with impressive views to the front, rear and side. "The principal bedroom offers fitted bedroom furniture and an ensuite shower room. The superb self contained annexe is perfect accommodation for guests, a family member who would like to live adjoined to the main residence or as a holiday let opportunity. Read more "One of the standout features of this home is the generous parking space, accommodating several vehicles. This is a rare find and adds significant value, making it perfect for families with multiple cars or those who enjoy hosting visitors. "For those looking to live the country lifestyle dream this property offers superb mature gardens, wildlife pond, two paddocks and two useful outbuildings. "In summary, this remarkable detached house on Station Road is a rare opportunity to acquire an attractive, spacious family home in a desirable location.
The National
16 hours ago
- The National
'Spineless': Quarter of Keir Starmer's Cabinet blasted Donald Trump's last UK trip
A total of seven Cabinet ministers – including the current Foreign Secretary and Scottish Secretary – accused the US president of 'misogynism, racism and xenophobia' on the eve of his 2019 visit. A motion signed by 106 MPs before Trump's last visit poured scorn on the commander in chief, highlighting his climate-denying extremism and called on the then-prime minister Theresa May to cancel his invitation. Put forward by Stephen Doughty, now a Foreign Office minister, it also slammed Trump's comments about Sadiq Khan – who was at the time and remains Mayor of London. Trump had previously called Khan a 'stone-cold loser who should focus on crime in London' and in 2016 challenged him to take an IQ test. It comes as Trump continues his trip to Scotland, visiting his golf courses in Aberdeen and [[Aberdeen]]shire and having meetings with [[Keir Starmer]] and John Swinney. His second state visit is expected in September. Doughty's motion was sponsored by Alison McGovern, Angela Eagle and Catherine West, who are now ministers in the Department for Work and Pensions, the Home Office and the Foreign Office, respectively. Cabinet ministers who backed the scathing Trump take-down include Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Scottish Secretary Ian Murray and Labour Party chair Ellie Reeves (above). Also from the current Cabinet are Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens, Environment Secretary Steve Reed and Lucy Powell, the leader of the House of Commons. Additionally, 13 current ministers and Government whips signed the motion and two former ministers: Tulip Siddiq and Anneliese Dodds. The motion said the Commons 'deplores the record of US president Donald Trump, including his misogyny, racism and xenophobia'. It went on to condemn 'his previous comments on women, refugees and torture' and his 'lack of action on climate change and failure to support the Paris Climate Change Deal'. The motion concluded by noting the 'historical significance and honour that comes with the choice to offer a full state visit to an individual' and demanded that May revoke Trump's invitation. Trump's first state visit to the UK was met with immense controversy, with then-Commons speaker John Bercow making an unprecedented intervention on the matter, telling MPs: 'Before the imposition of the migrant ban, I would myself have been strongly opposed to an address by president Trump in Westminster Hall. 'After the imposition of the migrant ban, I am even more strongly opposed to an address by president Trump in Westminster Hall.' His comments were applauded by the opposition benches after saying that Parliament should demonstrate its 'opposition to racism and sexism'. The Scottish Secretary (above) last week claimed that Trump could expect a 'warm welcome' in Scotland – despite the police saying they would be managing their biggest operation, due in part to major protests, since the Queen's death. Murray said: 'The office of the president of the United States and the office of the Prime Minister are ones that work very, very closely together, and should do, because it's in our national interest to do so.' Lammy has also changed his tune dramatically on Trump since his first presidency. In 2018, the then-backbencher called Trump a 'tyrant' and 'a woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath'. Confronted about his past comments, following Trump's re-election, Lammy dismissed them as 'old news', claiming one would 'struggle to find any politician" who had not said some "pretty ripe things" about Trump in the past. He added: 'I think that what you say as a backbencher and what you do wearing the real duty of public office are two different things. 'And I am Foreign Secretary. There are things I know now that I didn't know back then.' Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie (above) told the Sunday National: 'Labour's capitulation to [[Donald Trump]] is spineless, unprincipled, immoral and dangerous. '[[Donald Trump]] is a dangerous authoritarian who is actively trying to dismantle democratic institutions, has threatened to invade our allies in Canada and Greenland, is advocating ethnic cleansing in Gaza, and is abducting innocent people off the street to send to foreign torture camps. 'But instead of standing up for those who are under attack, Labour have chosen to give him, in the words of Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, a 'warm welcome'. In doing so, they lend his agenda international credibility, helping him to expand it at home and abroad. 'If Labour can't even stand up against Trump, they don't stand for anything at all.' Labour were approached for comment.
