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September 2026

Sep 30
8 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Autumn is here, bringing with it cooler temperatures, much-needed rain and the excitement of a new school year. 


Following the end of the summer recess, my fellow MPs and I returned to Parliament. I am very grateful for all your feedback, whether through surveys or conversations in the community, which I have been able to take back to Westminster in order to drive change. 


September’s been very busy in both Parliament and Pembrokeshire. I hope you enjoy this selection of what I have been up to this month.


In Parliament


Reforming the Water Sector


For nearly 40 years, we have had a privatised water sector in which bills and executive pay have gone up, but performance has gone down. Consumers and waterways like the Cleddau have paid the price.


This month, I had the opportunity to tell the story of what has been happening to the Cleddau in a Westminster Hall debate on bringing the water sector into public ownership. It was so important to have this national platform to talk about the impact of Welsh Water’s failures on Pembrokeshire’s natural environment and communities.  


I also met with the Welsh Rivers Union and Sewage Campaign Network to discuss what solutions are needed to fix this broken water sector. 


We need a structural and cultural shift in our water sector. If Welsh Water and other water companies fail to make those necessary changes to improve performance, the state must step in to ensure these companies are run in the public interest. 


As your MP, I will continue to advocate for these changes to be made, so that our waterways are restored and protected. 



The Vote on Assisted Dying


On Friday 11 September, MPs voted against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.


The issue of assisted dying is incredibly sensitive, and I recognise and respect the strongly held ethical and moral positions on all sides of the debate. Each of us brings our own lived experiences to bear on this deeply personal matter. It was right that the Government left the issue as a matter of conscience for individual MPs.


I voted in favour of the Bill because I considered that it would provide dignity and autonomy to people suffering from terminal illnesses, whilst also ensuring that the strongest safeguards would be in place to protect such vulnerable people. I am disappointed that MPs will not have another opportunity to debate this legislation in the House of Commons. In the last parliamentary session, the House of Lords held up the legislative process, meaning the Bill was not passed despite having the support of a majority of MPs.


I know that many will be disappointed by this outcome. I hope that the thoughtful and respectful debate that has taken place in Parliament and across the country on this issue will continue, to ensure that everyone in this country has dignity, care and choice at the end of their life. 



West Bank Sanctions


Last month, I urged the UK Government to ban trade with illegal settlements in the West Bank to avoid supporting actions that undermine Palestinian rights and a two-state solution. 


I therefore welcomed the Foreign Secretary’s announcement this month that the UK will ban trade in goods from illegal settlements in the West Bank. The Government has also introduced sanctions on companies providing services like construction and real estate, bans on property advertising, and measures against targeted extremist settlers. 


While these are significant steps in the right direction, I have urged the Government to expand the import ban to include services and to ban all exports from the UK to illegal settlements. The UK must end all support for illegal settlements, which pose a direct threat to the viability of a two-state solution. 


When discussing the conflict between Israel and Palestine, it is important to remember the words of the Foreign Secretary: that holding the Israeli Government accountable must never be weaponised against British Jews. 


I therefore welcome the UK Government's additional £250 million investment in security for British Jews and will continue to support its ongoing work to tackle the scourge of antisemitism online and on our streets. 


I will continue to monitor the situation closely and push for further action wherever necessary.


Civil Service Pension Payments


Public sector retirees across the county have been struggling to get timely pension payments. These payments are managed by Capita, a company with a track record of poor customer service and administrative failures.


As a result of Capita’s poor performance, many retirees who have spent their lives serving the public are facing financial hardship. I have been working with those affected and putting pressure on the Government to act. 


The Government has deployed expert teams to tackle the backlog. However, improvements are not happening fast enough.


I therefore spoke in Parliament and urged the Government to take control and insource the provision of civil service pension payments.


If you are experiencing delays to your civil service pension payments, please email me at henry.tufnell.mp@parliament.uk. My team and I are here to help.



Standing Up for Pembrokeshire’s Industry


I recently met with the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to discuss how we can protect and support Pembrokeshire’s vital industrial base. I pushed hard for stronger protections for our oil refinery, which supports over 1,000 vital local jobs and plays a key role in maintaining the UK’s energy security. 


As it stands, the UK’s refining sector is being undercut by imports from countries with lower carbon taxes and less stringent environmental standards. We must level the playing field so that communities like ours are not left behind in the transition to a clean energy mix. 


I also spoke at an event in Parliament about Carbon Capture and Storage. I made the case for the importance of this technology in supporting energy-intensive industries like refining to adapt, helping them decarbonise whilst still remaining competitive and protecting jobs. 


I will keep fighting for a just energy transition that protects local jobs, and ensures that Pembrokeshire continues to power Britain for decades to come. 



Procurement


As Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Project Delivery, I recently delivered a speech at a parliamentary reception hosted with the Competition and Markets Authority on using public procurement to shape markets and help start-ups innovate.


My message was clear: by moving past short-term cost-cutting towards smarter contracts, we can strengthen local supply chains and deliver real social value.


That means ensuring public money is spent strategically to foster competition, remove barriers for growing businesses, and drive long-term national economic resilience.


This approach is vital for Pembrokeshire, where it is key to backing industry and creating good, well-paid jobs.



Slashing Business Rates


Over the summer, the UK Government announced business rates cuts for pubs, clubs and live music venues in England. However, the Welsh Government had not announced the same. 


I therefore joined parliamentary colleagues in writing to the Welsh Government, urging them to deliver a business rates reduction for our hospitality sector by making full use of additional funding from the UK Government. 


I was delighted that the Welsh Government subsequently took action, announcing a permanent 30% reduction in business rates for eligible high-street hospitality, leisure and retail businesses starting in April 2027. 


This support will provide vital financial relief and certainty to local businesses across Pembrokeshire. These venues are not only vital employers and contributors to our local economy, but are also important cultural spaces that bring our community together.


Supporting Investment into Wales


Pembrokeshire and Wales are home to a wealth of talent, innovation and ambition – from our manufacturing and energy sectors, to tourism and food and drink. To make the most of our potential for job creation and local growth, we need clear data to promote investment effectively.  


As a member of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, we called for an annual, Wales-specific report on investment. This would allow us to look at key business sectors and compare our performance with other UK nations and regions. 


I was disappointed by the UK Government’s decision not to follow our recommendation. Without clear annual data, it remains harder to champion our local strengths effectively.


Alongside my Committee colleagues, I am urging ministers to rethink this decision. We will keep pushing for the clarity and support Pembrokeshire and Wales need to build a strong economic future. 


In Pembrokeshire


Holding NRW to Account on Withybush Woods Pollution


At the beginning of the month, the stream flowing through the peaceful Withybush Woods had a red discolouration. 


I was appalled to learn of this, and immediately wrote to the Chief Executive of NRW to ask if the contaminant had been identified and what measures were being taken to prevent a pollution incident like this happening again. NRW replied that they are carrying out an active investigation that will take several months. 


I was subsequently informed by members of the community that pollution events of this nature were not a one-off, but have instead been going on for a number of years, with incidents of red, blue and grey discolouration. 


I therefore submitted a Freedom of Information request to NRW asking for all the information they hold on reports of discolouration of the stream at Withybush Woods. I am still awaiting their response, and will provide updates on this in future newsletters. 



Standing Up for Healthcare Access in St Davids


For many across Pembrokeshire, getting a healthcare appointment is a lottery. This is one of our county’s biggest challenges and is something I spoke about this month on BBC Radio Wales’ Sunday Supplement.


In Pembrokeshire, we are used to receiving news that the Health Board is downgrading our services. 


There was the news in 2024 that Meddygfa Penrhyn was moving their GP out of St Davids. Following that, a nurse-led branch was set up to provide local healthcare services, but now that branch is also at risk of being closed. This would mean services such as blood tests and wound care would move to Solva, over 3.5 miles away. 


I, like many others in St Davids, am against this removal of services. I welcome the opportunities for local people to have their say on the proposed change until 16 October by:


Please share this information with your family and friends so that the Health Board cannot ignore our voices. 


Improving Dental Services Across the County


The provision of dental services across the county is deteriorating, with an unprecedented number of practice closures. This is leaving many people across the county with no choice but to go private. This is a situation that urgently needs addressing. 


I have created a community survey to gather responses on people’s experiences with local dentistry, and advertised it across different community groups and forums to get as many people to participate as possible. 


If you have not already filled it in, you can access it here: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/nhs-dentistry-survey?source=direct_link&. Please do copy the link and share it with family and friends.


In October, I will compile these results and present them directly to the Chief Executive of the Health Board to demand the action that our community deserves.


It is imperative that we see real improvements in local dentistry, and I am committed to holding the Health Board to account until that is delivered.



St Davids Mayor Making Ceremony


This month, we formally welcomed a new Mayor of St Davids, Cllr Sarah Foster. 


I had the privilege of attending the Mayor Making ceremony, where I joined civic leaders and community members from across the county for this special tradition. 


I wish Sarah all the best for the year ahead.



That’s all for this month's newsletter!


My office and I are always here to support you, so please feel free to drop me an email at henry.tufnell.mp@parliament.uk if there is anything I can help with. 


Wishing you all a wonderful and enjoyable October. 


 
 
 

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