May 2026 Newsletter

May has been a busy month, with a packed schedule of visits to local businesses, organisations and schools, alongside meetings with constituents across Pembrokeshire. It was great to spend the Whitsun recess at home in the county, especially with the excellent weather we were lucky enough to enjoy.

In the Community

Action to Clean Up our Waterways

It was a privilege to attend and speak at Broad Haven Paddle Out Protest this month.

From raw sewage in our rivers to no-swim alerts at our beaches, our broken water system is putting public health, wildlife, tourism and local businesses at risk. Just this month, we saw the bathing water quality at Tenby’s North Beach downgraded and worrying reports of sewage spillages on our coastline. This is deeply concerning and completely unacceptable. 

The protest was a powerful demonstration of the strength of feeling about this issue in our community, and the impact of collective action. Fixing our broken water sector will take serious action and cooperation at every level.

I also spoke on the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme about the impact of our failing water sector on consumers, and the steps the Government should take to address this. You can listen to the interview here (from 0:50:00).

Accountability and transparency from water companies is critical, and I am committed to working with local organisations, the regulator, campaigners and government ministers to push for the change we deserve. 

St Mary’s Church Bells

It was a privilege to attend the blessing of the newly restored bells at St Mary’s Church a fortnight ago, led by the Bishop of St David’s, as part of the inauguration celebrations for Pembroke’s 647^th Mayor, Concillor Jonathan Grimes, and Mayoress Councillor Deborah Willcocks.

It was wonderful to see so many people from across the community come together to mark the event. 

The restoration, made possible with support from the UK Government, ensures that this treasured part of Pembroke’s heritage will be preserved and enjoyed for generations to come. 

Henry Tudor School 

I had the pleasure of visiting Ysgol Harri Tudur this week, and meeting some of the brilliant pupils and staff there. It was great to sit in on their School Senedd session and see how students are engaging in and learning about politics.

In light of the school recently being placed into special measures, I spoke directly with the Headteacher about what action is needed to improve performance moving forward.  I was pleased to hear that staff will be visiting schools elsewhere in the UK, to learn from their successes in overcoming similar challenges. 

It is vital that all levels of government work together to ensure that our talented students in Pembrokeshire can achieve their full potential.

Getting Tenby Connected

Phone signal in Tenby is still not where it needs to be. Residents and businesses continue to raise this issue with me, and the impact it is having on their daily lives. I have also experienced this first-hand during my visits there.

This month we saw some progress in restoring the signal lost from the Slippery Back Lane mast, after we raised residents’ concerns directly with Vodafone.

By sharing your experiences, you help me to build the strongest case possible to the networks when pushing them to make improvements to network provision. So, please take two minutes to fill out my survey on phone signal: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/share-your-thoughts-on-phone-signal-in-pembrokeshire/.

I will keep working hard to resolve this issue as quickly as possible, and more broadly, to improve connectivity right across the county.

Powering Up Pembrokeshire

This month, I met with the National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) team at the Milford Haven substation to see the work underway to upgrade our local energy network.

It was fantastic to see first-hand the brand-new circuit that is currently being installed between Pembroke and Milford Haven. This will significantly boost the capacity and reliability of our local electricity grid, ensuring resilient power supply for homes and businesses. NGED’s investment in our county will not only ensure our infrastructure is fit for the future, but will also support local industries and skilled jobs.

Thank you to the team for the tour, and for everything they are doing to power up our community!

Supporting Pembrokeshire’s Voluntary Sector

It was great to catch up with the Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS) this month. They play a vital role in empowering local groups and social enterprises through funding advice, training and community engagement initiatives.

A huge thank you to the team for all they do to strengthen Pembrokeshire’s voluntary sector and support communities across the county.

Supporting Pembrokeshire’s Voluntary Sector

It was great to catch up with the Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS) this month. They play a vital role in empowering local groups and social enterprises through funding advice, training and community engagement initiatives.

A huge thank you to the team for all they do to strengthen Pembrokeshire’s voluntary sector and support communities across the county.

Visit to Car-Y-Mor 

It was great to visit Car-Y-Mor this month - a fantastic local seaweed farming business, leading the way in sustainable aquaculture. It produces seaweed and shellfish, while also contributing to local environmental protection efforts. It was fantastic to see how the business is progressing, and to sample some of their products!

Initiatives like this highlight the importance of supporting local, sustainable industries that not only benefit our natural environment but also create jobs within our community.

A big thank you to everyone at Car-Y-Mor for the warm welcome.

Supporting Men’s Mental Health 

It was a privilege to visit Men2Men Music Club at HaverHub to learn more about the important work they are doing to support men’s mental health and wellbeing in Pembrokeshire.

It was inspiring to meet members and volunteers and hear how the group is helping tackle loneliness, build confidence, and create a strong sense of community through music and peer support.

I would like to thank everyone involved for the warm welcome and for the valuable support they continue to provide for men across our community.

Morrisons Haverfordwest

I had a great visit to Morrisons this month, and was really blown away by everything they do to support local families. They provide free fruit and Kellogg’s breakfasts for children during the school holidays, and support local food banks by helping customers donate and distribute essential to them. They also run monthly 50p paperback book sales in the foyer to raise vital funds for Marie Curie.  

It was also helpful to hear more about the Morrisons Foundation, which provides grant funding to local charities. Charities across our constituency may wish to explore applying for support via www.morrisonsfoundation.com. 

Thank you so much to the team for welcoming me, and for everything you do to champion and support our community.

A Fun Day Out at Tenby Arcade

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Tenby Arcade, a great example of a fun, affordable family attraction in the heart of our seaside town.

Having only recently opened, it was brilliant to see it already full of people enjoying the wide range of retro games and activities on offer. Families can spend as long as they like there, making the most of the attractions, with added extras like bottomless popcorn and slushies.

It was also great to see continued investment in local leisure and tourism in Pembrokeshire, helping to support our visitor economy and provide year-round activities for residents and visitors alike. I even enjoyed having a go on some of the retro consoles myself!

Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust - Beach wheelchairs

Our beautiful coastline in Pembrokeshire should be for everyone to enjoy.

That is why Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust’s beach wheelchair initiative is so important. This month I visited the project at Tenby North Beach to learn more about the difference it is making in improving accessibility to our coastline. 

It was inspiring to see the initiative in action and hear more about the work being done to make our beaches more inclusive.

I would like to thank everyone involved for taking the time to meet with me and for their continued commitment to making our coastline accessible to all.

Celebrating the Turkish Kitchen’s Success

This month I paid a visit to The Turkish Kitchen to congratulate the team there on reaching the semi-finals of the Turkish Restaurant & Takeaway Awards (TURTA) 2026.

This award reflects their high-quality food, excellent service, and the positive contribution they make to our hospitality sector and local economy. We also discussed the important role that independent hospitality businesses play in supporting jobs, attracting visitors, and strengthening Pembrokeshire’s economy.

I would like to thank the team for their warm welcome. A big congratulations to them once again on this well-deserved achievement.

I will keep working at all levels to support our brilliant independent businesses here in Pembrokeshire. 

Improving Tenby Train Station

Reliable and accessible transport links are essential for residents, visitors, and local businesses alike. 

This month I visited Tenby Train Station and met with representatives from National Rail, to discuss the improvements being made to the station. These works will make the station more accessible, and improve passenger experience.

Improving transport and connectivity across Pembrokeshire remains a key priority for me, and I will continue to work with partners, and both Welsh and UK Governments, to support further investment in our rail infrastructure and wider transport network.

Enjoying the community spirit at Parkrun

Parkrun is a fantastic initiative, bringing people together to enjoy physical activity in a welcoming and inclusive environment. It helps promote health and wellbeing, and build a strong sense of community. 

It was a privilege to play a small part in supporting runners and walkers along the course this month, and to see first-hand the positive impact the event has on so many people each week.

I am a huge believer in the power of sport to bring people together and improve our health and wellbeing. The Parkrun couldn’t happen without the hard work of its dedicated volunteers. A huge thank you for everything they do. 

WATCH HERE

Protecting Access to Cash in Narberth

The recent closure of two ATMs in Narberth has left the town with just a single machine. While people can still withdraw cash from the Post Office, this is restricted to working hours, and is unavailable for much of the weekend and Bank Holidays. 

People in Narberth must have better access to cash. It is vital for the local economy. Residents, visitors and businesses all depend on cash for everyday transactions. 

That is why I have called on LINK – the public body responsible for protecting access to cash across the UK – to review access to cash in Narberth as soon as possible. 

Too often our rural communities face poor access to vital banking services. I will continue to engage with constituents, local businesses, the council, LINK and colleagues in Parliament, to ensure that everyone in Pembrokeshire can access the services they need.

In Parliament

Protecting Access to Banking Services for our Rural Communities

I also raised the issue of access to cash and banking services for our rural communities in Parliament, taking part in a debate on the criteria for establishing banking hubs.

While the new banking hub in Pembroke Dock is very welcome, it is clear that there is still more to do.

The current criteria do not always reflect the reality of rural areas like Pembrokeshire, where many people still face long and difficult journeys to access essential banking services. I will continue to push for changes at all levels to ensure everyone in our county can access essential services. 

WATCH HERE

Unlocking Hydrogen Opportunities in Pembrokeshire

This month I attended a roundtable on “Unlocking the Hydrogen Potential of the South West and South Wales”, bringing together experts and industry partners to discuss the exciting opportunities in this sector. 

Pembrokeshire is well placed to benefit from this growing industry, with the construction of the West Wales Green Hydrogen Plant in Milford Haven, supported by UK Government funding.  This has real potential to create skilled jobs and support local growth. I will continue to work hard to ensure our county plays a leading role in the energy sector of both today and tomorrow, helping to secure jobs and prosperity for local people.

Support for Farmers, Drivers and Hauliers

This month the Government confirmed a package of measures to help reduce fuel costs and support drivers, farmers, and hauliers.

The cost of red diesel has been reduced to its lowest rate in over 20 years, with the duty cut by over a third from 10.18p to 6.48p per litre. This will directly benefit our farmers, as well as freight drivers. 

The Government has also extended the 5p fuel duty cut until the end of the year, saving drivers around £120 compared to previous plans, alongside a 12-month road tax reduction for hauliers, with operators paying just £1 at renewal. This is expected to save around £600 for a typical heavy lorry and up to £912 for larger vehicles.

I welcome this support for households and industries that rely heavily on fuel to carry out their work, particularly at a time when many are feeling the pressure of rising fuel costs due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. I will keep supporting the Government in its work to bring down the cost of living. 

Supporting young people into work

The Government commissioned the Millburn Review, which published its first report this month, looking at how we can better support jobs and opportunities for young people.

Its findings were concerning, but it is an important step towards addressing the challenges many young people face in entering the workforce.

Creating clear pathways into work is essential, particularly for those starting out in their careers. Too often, young people face barriers when trying to take that first step, whether through training opportunities, apprenticeships, or access to local employers.

That is why I am delighted that Pembrokeshire has been selected in the first phase of the UK Government’s Jobs Guarantee Programme. Itec Training Solutions will deliver the scheme locally, supporting paid training opportunities for young people across our county.

The programme will help young people gain experience, build confidence, and access a pathway into long-term employment.

As your MP, I will continue working to bring good, well-paid jobs and opportunities to Pembrokeshire.

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