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.

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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

PARA SPORT: Swansea to host part of four-city festival expansion in biggest shake-up yet

Swansea will once again be at the centre of a major national sporting event after plans were confirmed to expand the Para Sport Festival across four cities in 2026.

The festival — launched this week at the LC Swansea — will grow from its current format into a multi-venue event spanning Swansea, Cardiff, Newport and Bangor.

Organisers say the move marks a major step forward for what has quickly become one of Wales’ most important inclusive sporting events.

The 2026 edition will also shift from its traditional summer slot to the autumn, a change designed to support further growth and attract a wider range of competitions and athletes.

Swansea launch highlights growing ambition

The expansion was formally unveiled in Swansea, where schoolchildren from across the area were invited to take part in a series of taster sessions — including wheelchair basketball, football, boxing, judo and boccia.

The event, backed by Disability Sport Wales, is now entering its fifth year, with organisers pointing to steady growth in both participation and profile.

Welsh Government minister Jack Sargeant said continued investment in the festival reflected a wider commitment to disability sport.

“Our continued support of the Para Sport Festival reaffirms our commitment to the development of disability sport, creating sporting opportunities for disabled people from across Wales.

“This event will once again make the most of the fantastic facilities in Swansea, Cardiff and Newport — and now Bangor — meaning more people from more areas can join in than ever before.”

New sports and international ambitions

As part of the expansion, organisers confirmed that new disciplines — including visually impaired tennis and para powerlifting — will be introduced for 2026.

There are also plans to increase the level of competition, with hopes of attracting more elite athletes from outside Wales and the UK.

Robyn Wilkins, Para Sport Festival Senior Officer at Disability Sport Wales, said the event’s growth had been driven by both returning competitions and new additions.

“We are always looking at ways to expand and 2026 sees the expansion from two to four host cities.

“We take great pride in the return of past sporting events as it shows how important and successful the Para Sport Festival has been in terms of a significant date in the sporting calendar.

“But we are also incredibly excited to see the festival attracting new sporting events to the schedule.”

She added:

“For our returning events, we continue to grow the level of competition and are looking to bring more world class athletes from outside of Wales and the UK than ever before.

“For our new events, we see the introduction of visually impaired tennis and para powerlifting — events that will showcase Wales’ ability to host a range of competitive sporting events.”

Athletes highlight impact of festival

Athletes involved in the festival say its growth is helping to raise the profile of disability sport while opening up opportunities for more people to get involved.

Paralympic, World and European champion Ben Pritchard, who attended the Swansea launch, said the event’s development over recent years had been significant.

“It’s testament to the Festival in terms of how it’s grown in four years.

“It’s a great way to showcase sport and to encourage people of all ages and abilities to enjoy being involved — whether that’s participating, volunteering or cheering from the sidelines.”

Competitor Sue Morris said the festival had played a key role in her own sporting journey.

“The Para Sport Festival holds a very special place in my heart.

“It was my first shooting competition and I came away with two gold medals — an event I will never forget. The atmosphere was amazing.”

Wheelchair basketball player Alex Wilson added that the event provides a vital platform for athletes.

“It is hard to put into words the influence sport has had on my life and it’s fantastic to showcase the sport I love as part of this multi-sport, multi-venue festival.”

Swansea remains key to festival’s future

With Swansea once again hosting key elements of the festival, organisers say the city will continue to play a leading role as the event develops.

The expansion to four cities is expected to bring increased attention to Wales as a destination for major inclusive sporting events — while also ensuring more communities can take part.

For Swansea, it reinforces the city’s growing reputation as a hub for sport — and ensures it remains firmly at the heart of one of the country’s fastest-growing events.

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“HEATING CRISIS HITTING US HARD”: Carmarthenshire families ‘forced to pay triple’ as oil reliance laid bare

The figures have sparked calls for urgent action from independent Senedd candidate Carl Peters-Bond, who warned families are being left with “no choice but to absorb soaring prices.”

Villages among worst hit in Wales

Data highlighted by the BBC shows just how exposed parts of the county are:

• 69% of households in Llannon, Cross Hands and Pen-y-groes rely on oil
• 65% in Abergwili, Llanegwad and Carmel
• 41% in Llanddarog, Llangyndeyrn and Ferryside

Across Wales, around 7% of homes depend on oil — but that figure jumps dramatically in rural areas like Carmarthenshire.

Bills double — and supplies dry up

The warning comes as families across Wales report being left without heating or forced to pay sky-high prices.

In one case reported by the BBC, a family saw a £323 oil order cancelled — only to be forced to pay £750 elsewhere.

Meanwhile, a man in Garnant said his annual bill could soar from £1,000 to £3,000, adding: “The heating has gone off… I’m basically having to dress up and keep moving.”

“People have no choice”

Peters-Bond said the crisis is already biting in Carmarthenshire:

“This crisis is hitting Carmarthenshire directly. When two-thirds of households in some communities rely on oil, people have no choice but to absorb soaring prices.”

He said funding announced by the UK Government must be targeted at rural areas first.

£3.8m for Wales — but who gets it?

The UK Government has unveiled a £53 million support package for households hit by rising oil prices — with £3.8 million allocated to Wales.

But Peters-Bond warned the money must not get lost in bureaucracy:

“The UK Government has released funding — now the Welsh Government must make sure every penny of that £3.8m reaches the rural households who need it most.”

“Competition won’t fix this”

While industry bodies have welcomed a review into oil pricing, Peters-Bond said that won’t help families stuck off the gas grid:

“Rural families aren’t choosing oil because it’s cheap — they’re choosing it because they’ve been left without options. Competition only works when people can switch.”

Calls for urgent action

He is now calling for:

• Emergency financial support for oil-dependent households
• A major retrofit programme to help homes switch to cheaper, greener heating
• A long-term plan to reduce reliance on volatile oil markets

Global crisis hitting local homes

The surge in prices has been linked to rising global oil costs amid conflict in the Middle East — with experts warning the situation could worsen heading into winter.

And for many in rural Carmarthenshire, the message is clear: without urgent help, the coming months could be even tougher.

“You can’t copy-and-paste urban policies onto rural Wales,” Peters-Bond added.
“Carmarthenshire needs solutions designed for Carmarthenshire.”

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New £Multi-Million School Facilities Open for Pupils with Additional Needs

The first phase of a huge redevelopment at Portfield School in Haverfordwest has now been completed — giving pupils aged 3 to 19 access to modern classrooms, specialist facilities and new outdoor spaces.

The project is funded by the Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council, and aims to deliver a modern learning environment tailored to the needs of children who require extra support.

The new building includes specialist sensory rooms, upgraded outdoor activity areas and flexible teaching spaces, designed to help pupils develop academically, socially and emotionally.

Headteacher Sarah Hartley said the new facilities are already making a huge difference.

She said: “We are delighted with the new school provision for our pupils. It’s a significant step forward in creating an inclusive and supportive environment where every young person can thrive.”

Construction firm Morgan Sindall worked alongside the council to deliver the project as part of the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning programme, which aims to modernise schools across Wales.

But the work isn’t finished yet.

The next phase of the redevelopment is already underway, which will see further upgrades including:

• Refurbishment of the former Tasker Milward H block for post-16 pupils
• Demolition of the existing primary building
• A new respite care unit
• Refurbishment of Holly House

Council leader Cllr Jon Harvey said the project represents a major investment in the future of specialist education in the county.

He said the new facilities will give pupils “the high-quality, nurturing environment they deserve.”

CARMARTHENSHIRE £10M STORM BOOST: Welsh Government confirms massive funding for flood recovery

The Welsh Government has confirmed a fresh £11.2 million funding package, with the lion’s share — more than £10 million — allocated to Carmarthenshire and Monmouthshire.

The cash is designed to help local authorities recover from the “devastating” floods of November 2025, which saw emergency rescues and widespread damage across West Wales.

It follows a major incident declaration at the height of the storms, which saw fire crews and lifeboats called out to save residents from rising waters.

The funding comes as a lifeline for the region, which has already seen £100k drainage grants used to tackle persistent flooding issues in the city and surrounding areas.

Among the most heart-breaking stories from the 2025 floods was the rescue of 34 animals from a Carmarthenshire dog sanctuary after it was completely submerged.

Jayne Bryant, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, said: “The storms of late 2025 caused real hardship for communities right across Wales.”

She added: “I am determined that no council should be left to bear those costs alone.”

The new funding will be used to repair infrastructure, clear debris, and support ongoing recovery efforts in the hardest-hit areas.

It builds on previous support, including £2.5 million already made available to communities in Monmouthshire following Storm Claudia.

The announcement is a major step forward for Carmarthenshire, which has been at the forefront of the battle against extreme weather.

Ms Bryant concluded: “I want residents in Carmarthenshire to know that the Welsh Government stands with them as they continue to recover and rebuild.”

The funding will be officially allocated in the 2026-27 financial year, which the Welsh Government say will provide long-term security for the county’s recovery plans.

CARMARTHEN: Renewed calls for £775m Aberystwyth rail link in major new transport report

A new report from the Centre Think Tank has thrown its weight behind the long-campaigned-for rail link, arguing that its social benefits would far outweigh the economic costs.

The ‘Getting Wales Back On Track’ report argues that much greater ambition is needed to connect Wales, hitting out at a lack of investment in mid and north Wales.

The report’s author, William Burrows, who holds a master’s in Economics from Swansea University, said Wales has “for too long lacked the transport links needed to grow its economy.”

The Welsh Government has previously conducted a feasibility study on the reinstatement, estimating the cost at £775m. While it found the project was not economically viable, it concluded it would be “socially viable”.

The new report agrees, stating that “the social impact would outweigh the negative economic impacts of the project.”

It argues that reinstating the line would finally link mid and south Wales together, a key piece of infrastructure that has been missing since the original line was closed in the 1960s.

Former First Minister, Lord Carwyn Jones of Penybont, backed the report’s findings in a foreword, noting that during his time in government they had championed the Carmarthen to Aberystwyth railway line.

Lord Jones criticised the historical lack of investment in the Welsh rail network, stating that Wales is the only UK nation with no power to direct Network Rail.

He said the development of the South Wales Metro could be a model for the rest of Wales.

The report also calls for the reopening of Carno Station in Powys and renewed pressure on the UK Government to deliver its long-standing commitment to electrify the North Wales mainline.

However, the proposals have also sparked a political row, with Plaid Cymru’s Transport spokesperson, Peredur Owen Griffiths MS, welcoming the report while slamming the current Welsh Government.

“Wales has been deprived of the funding we deserve for decades,” he said. “From the underfunding of our railways to the unfair Barnett formula – Wales is being ignored, and consecutive UK and Welsh Governments have not been fighting our cause.

“Over their 27 years in power in Wales, Labour have continually allowed Wales to be overlooked and undermined while refusing to stand up to their colleagues in Westminster to demand the funding we deserve – and Wales’ communities are the ones paying the price.”

Mr Griffiths added that the billions owed to Wales from the cancelled HS2 project could prove “transformational” for connecting Welsh communities.

The report’s author, William Burrows, added: “To become a reality, Wales needs fair funding. That means a proper share of HS2 consequentials and a Barnett formula that reflects Wales’s real needs.”

SWANSEA: City firm lands £8m to become world leader in deep-sea wind power

Marine Power Systems (MPS), based in the city, is developing cutting-edge platforms that allow wind turbines to be installed in waters too deep for traditional methods.

The major funding boost is set to help the firm commercialise its technology and position Wales as a global leader in the offshore wind industry.

The company says the investment will also lay the foundations for a large-scale manufacturing facility in Wales, creating high-value jobs and strengthening local supply chains, providing a major boost to the Welsh economy.

Around 80% of the world’s offshore wind resource is in water deeper than 60 metres, which is where MPS’s ‘PelaFlex’ floating platform technology comes in.

Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Rebecca Evans, said the investment was a significant step for Wales’s renewable energy ambitions.

“This investment in Marine Power Systems is another exciting step in Wales’s journey to becoming a global leader in offshore wind,” she said.

Ms Evans added that supporting innovative companies like MPS helps to “build a high-value supply chain, creates skilled jobs and helps us meet global and national net zero targets.”

“We have the talent, the technology and the ambition — and this funding helps turn that ambition into reality,” she said.

Dr Gareth Stockman, CEO at Marine Power Systems, said the investment was a “powerful vote of confidence” in the company and its technology.

“PelaFlex is designed to unlock deep-water offshore wind, where the majority of the world’s wind resource lies,” Dr Stockman said.

“With this support we can accelerate commercialisation, scale deployment and position Wales as a global centre for deep-water wind innovation and manufacturing.”

He described the funding as a “catalytic step toward making deep-water offshore wind a practical reality at industrial scale.”

CARMARTHENSHIRE: Row over plans to fix notorious A48 accident blackspot

The Welsh Government has confirmed major alterations for the A48 between Carmarthen and Cross Hands, a notorious accident blackspot that has seen hundreds of crashes in recent years.

But the centrepiece of the plan – a new roundabout at Nantycaws – has been blasted as a “short-term fix” that will create even more congestion.

The criticism comes after alarming new figures revealed the safety record on the 12.5-mile stretch of dual carriageway is getting worse.

Data from Dyfed-Powys Police showed 186 collisions on the road in the 12 months to July 2025, an increase on the 169 crashes recorded in the previous year.

In response to a safety study commissioned in 2020, the Welsh Government has now unveiled a package of measures set to begin this autumn.

These include closing dangerous gaps in the central reservation and shutting six “sub-standard” laybys.

However, the main proposal involves constructing a new roundabout at Nantycaws to eliminate what officials call an “unsafe cross carriageway manoeuvre.”

But Carl Peters-Bond, an independent candidate for the Caerfyrddin constituency, has criticised the proposal.

“The solution to the dangerous A48 does not lie in years of construction, disruption and delays — only to leave us with even more congestion at a brand-new roundabout at Nantycaws, right in the middle of a vital trunk route,” he said.

Mr Peters-Bond, who is also the Mayor of Kidwelly, warned: “That is not a serious long-term plan for a road of national importance.”

He argued that adding another roundabout to the busy stretch of road would simply move the problem elsewhere.

“Anyone who drives this stretch knows how heavily loaded these roundabouts already are. Adding another one at Nantycaws will not solve the problem — it will simply move it, and make the whole route slower and more dangerous.”

Instead, Mr Peters-Bond is calling for a more strategic upgrade, including closing side-access routes, upgrading existing junctions to be fully grade-separated, and beginning work to extend the M4 to Carmarthen.

“These are the strategic solutions that match the scale of the problem — not temporary sticking-plasters,” he added.

The Welsh Government, however, has defended its plans.

Ken Skates, the cabinet secretary for transport, said the changes were designed to “reduce risk and improve conditions for everyone who uses the road.”

He added: “While lane closures will be required during construction and some journeys may take longer, this short-term disruption is necessary to deliver a safer and more resilient road for the future.”

Other changes planned for later this year include restricting right-turns at Llanddarog, Pantyffynnon, Llanarthne, and Foelgastell.

While the initial safety works are set to begin this year and take four months, the new roundabout at Nantycaws is a longer-term proposal, with construction not expected to start until at least 2027, subject to funding.