Over half of all pupils eligible for free school meals were persistently absent from school in Wales last year, figures published today show. In the 2025-26 academic year, 51.3% of pupils eligible for free school meals were persistently absent from school, up from 49% in 2024-25. Last year, school attendance was worse amongst older year…
The wildfire at Llanwonno remains a major incident, but significant progress has been made and there is currently no immediate risk to life or property. Firefighters and partner agencies continue to work together to contain the fire and protect surrounding areas. A specialist firefighting helicopter, secured by NRW, remains in operation today, supporting crews in…
Residents are advised that routine works will be taking place over the weeks ahead at the disused Penrhiwceiber coal tip site, using Welsh Government funding. The works area is located generally to the south and south-west of the B4275 Pentwyn Avenue, the stretch of road between Penrhiwceiber and Tyntetown/Ynysyboeth. The scheme will include routine vegetation…
Families staying at Prince Charles Hospital’s Neonatal Unit will benefit from more welcoming and comfortable family spaces, following improvements made possible by a generous £10,000 donation from Merthyr Cage Bird Society. The newly refreshed family bedrooms, family room and expressing facilities were officially opened on Wednesday 29 July, when members of the Society visited the unit to see how their support had helped local families. The donation was built up through weekly collections from Society members, who raised money each…
Commenting on the news that five individuals in North Wales have been found guilty of being part of a grooming gang, Darren Millar MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said: “I welcome today’s guilty verdicts and pay tribute to the extraordinary courage of the young victims who came forward to give evidence. Those responsible for these…
Mandy Reynolds was enjoying a walk on Great Orme last year when she slipped on jaggedrocks and needed help from Wales Air Ambulance.On 10 April 2025, Mandy was returning to the car park when she suffered injuries that lefther in significant pain and in need of critical care.The Charity’s critical care team, Doctor Gareth Thomas…
Aberdare Police Station has been shut to walk-in visitors for years. No front desk. No officer to speak to face-to-face. Residents wanting to report a crime or raise a concern in person are simply out of luck — despite the building sitting right in the town centre, fully staffed, yet locked to the very public…
Swansea Council’s lawyers have written to the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) ahead of the end of a stay of the local authority’s legal challenge over a shake-up of the professional game in Wales, just as a row broke out about a leaked audio of comments made by the WRU’s chief executive. The dispute concerns the…
The Welsh Conservatives have accused the new Plaid Cymru Government of wasting its first three months in office after announcing a consultation on the controversial 182-day holiday let rule, despite the tourism industry already being at the height of its busiest season. Almost 100 days after taking office, the only action ministers have taken is…
Repeating our campaign from last year, the Council is asking owners of land containing private culverts and watercourses to consider undertaking some key maintenance activities this summer. Now is an excellent time to do so, to reduce the risk of flooding in the autumn and winter months ahead. Here, we’re providing some handy tips to…
