As February comes to a close, I want to update you on the work I’ve been doing in across Pembrokeshire and in Westminster this month.
The Health Board
I met with both the Chair and the CEO of the Hywel Dda healthboard to address ongoing healthcare access issues and to explore improvements in local health services. I am raised concerns about the failings in primary care and the need for a focus on best practice across GP surgeries in Pembrokeshire as well the need for adequate funding. The healthboard controls the funding of primary care and many practices such as Argyle Medical Group in Pembroke Dock and St Thomas’s surgery in Haverfordwest are in dire need of improvement.
Earlier this month I saw the vast difference between two GP surgeries located within 100 meters of each other. On two consecutive mornings I attended both St Thomas’s surgery and Winch Lane in Haverfordwest. At St Thomas’s I saw a chaotic outdoor queuing system with elderly and vulnerable people waiting outside in the cold with no guarantee of an appointment, while over the road at Winch Lane surgery the system appeared to be working well. It is an absurd situation and the healthboard need to empower local GP leaders to ensure that there is cross working and collaboration to improve access for patients.
Both the Chief Executive and Chairman have admitted the need for a cultural shift in management to respond to the scale of the crisis in Pembrokeshire; and they assured me that a plan would be implemented to tackle this. I will keep up the pressure and will be meeting with the Chief Executive again in the coming weeks.
Social Care
It is impossible to talk about healthcare in Pembrokeshire without talking about social care and it was therefore really positive to meet formally with the Paul Sartori Foundation. I learned about their exceptional work in providing palliative care services as well as the challenges they face particularly with the level of demand for their services across the county. Their dedication to supporting individuals and families during challenging times is truly remarkable.
Pembrokeshire Economy
Boosting local job creation and bringing economic growth to Pembrokeshire are critical to tackling social deprivation and child poverty. It was therefore a privilege to see first-hand the fantastic work being done locally by both businesses and educational institutions.
As always at Pembrokeshire College, I had insightful discussions with students about their aspirations, the challenges they face, and how we can create more opportunities for them within our community. The college is equipping Pembrokeshire’s talented young people with skills for the future, in things like renewable energy engineering and electric vehicle technology. I also visited Haverfordwest High VC and spoke with a group of 6th form students about their career ambitions, politics and of course - Pembrokeshire. I want to make sure that they can look forward to bright futures and good jobs in their home county.
I had my first meeting with W B Griffiths & Son, a family-run construction company, and learnt about their brilliant range of apprenticeship programmes. We discussed ways to support and expand opportunities for our young workforce. It is so important that there are good, well-paying job opportunities for them in the county and prioritising local, green job-creation is key to achieving local economic growth.
I visited GD Harries – a construction material supplies and civil engineering company. We discussed their operations, and how they can contribute to Floating Offshore Wind developments, potentially bringing more of the jobs and investment we need to Pembrokeshire.
We all know how important connectivity is for businesses, and for residents, in today’s digital age. That is why I met with the Openreach Director for Wales. We had a productive discussion about improving fibre broadband infrastructure in Pembrokeshire. If you are having any specific issues with access to broadband, please contact me directly and I’ll do all that I can to help.
Supporting constituents
My team and I have been diligently assisting constituents with a range of issues, from healthcare access to housing concerns. I held surgeries in Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock providing constituents with the opportunity to discuss their concerns. These sessions are invaluable and ensuring constituents receive the support they need is our top priority. If there is anything you need help with, please do not hesitate to contact my office. Please make sure to include your full name, address, and contact details as well as any relevant reference numbers to your case. Since the General Election in July 2024, we have closed 3204 pieces of casework.
Across Pembrokeshire there are so many incredible organisations working hard to improve the lives of others. This month I hosted the first of my quarterly Poverty Action Roundtable’s - because tackling the issues around poverty requires collective effort. Our group included stakeholders from the third and public sector, as we committed to working together to do everything that we can to share our strategies and initiatives to support the most vulnerable in our community.
Town and Community Councils
Town and Community councils play a vital role in our community, and I am committed to working with them in a “Team Pembrokeshire” approach. I was therefore pleased to meet with the Angle Community Council to discuss their concerns around connectivity and flooding. They also held a Q&A event with the local community, which was well attended and facilitated a good and frank discussion about the many challenges facing our county. I also attended the ‘Feed the Community’ event in Haverfordwest organised by Haverfordwest Town Council. The event provided help to those in need within our community and a platform for many organisations to showcase their vital work. It was heartening to see the local community come together in solidarity. Over the coming weeks and months, I will be meeting with more of the the brilliant Town and Community councils that are working hard across Pembrokeshire.
Arts, Culture, and Sport
Ensuring everyone can access and enjoy the arts, culture and sport in Pembrokeshire is something I am passionate about.
I was thrilled to be invited to the Torch Theatre’s annual Schools Shakespeare Festival. A huge well-done to all the local schools who participated – it was a fantastic night of entertainment. Access to the arts is essential for children to develop in confidence, tackling issues of anxiety and mental health, and equipping them with skills for life. So, I was delighted to see the Welsh Labour Government announce an extra £4.4m of funding for the arts and cultural sector. This crucial support will help to protect our theatres, cultural spaces, and museums, so they can continue to play a central role in our education, community engagement, and tourism.
This funding announcement included additional support for grassroots sports Local sports clubs are at the heart of our communities, bringing people together and promoting active, healthier lifestyles. In Parliament this week, I highlighted the fantastic work of Haverfordwest County AFC does in its community. It facilitates football sessions for local schools, providing healthy breakfasts and lunches for all participants, and runs walking football groups for all ages. I asked Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock what this Labour government is doing to support the work of brilliant local clubs like Haverfordwest County AFC in making sport more accessible, and I was delighted that she joined me in wishing the team there the best for the rest of the season!
I’d like to encourage you all to head down to Bridge Meadow Stadium in Haverfordwest to support Haverfordwest County at their next match at home on Friday 21st March.
Westminster & Beyond
In Parliament, I’ve been actively working to represent Pembrokeshire:
Attending EFRA and Welsh Affairs Committee meetings
Ensuring that rural and Welsh issues are prominently addressed, I contributed to discussions on agriculture, environmental policies, and the unique challenges faced by our communities.
As we look ahead to next month, I will have the opportunity to cross-examine Dwr Cymru as they will appear before the EFRA Select Committee on March 11th. I know it is of great concern to all of us in Pembrokeshire the alarming amount of sewage dumped in our beautiful waters. I’ve been engaging with the Cleddau Project on this over the last year, and I will be putting forward serious questions to Dwr Cymru regarding sewage dumping. I know many constituents will also be concerned about their water bills and I plan to address this issue in the evidence session too.
Joining the Project and Infrastructure APPG launch:
This month I also launched a new All-Party Parliamentary Group in Parliament focused on project delivery for infrastructure. The aim of this APPG is to promote best practice for our national infrastructure projects; the building of new schools, hospitals, roads etc...
We will be working with experts from across the world to embrace best practice. I want to make sure that our national infrastructure projects are delivered in the best, most efficient way, and most cost-effective way – which will create good skilled jobs and boost economic growth and development in Pembrokeshire.
Continuing to work on the Crown Estate Bill:
The Crown Estate plays a crucial role in managing the UK’s land and sea assets, and it’s vital that it works in the best interests of communities like ours in Pembrokeshire. That’s why I voted YES on the Crown Estate Bill—because we need to ensure its decisions help tackle climate change, boost regional economies, and support businesses with the skills they need to thrive.
Floating Offshore Wind presents an incredible opportunity for Pembrokeshire, but we must make sure the Crown Estate actively supports this potential. That’s why I put forward an amendment to ensure that in every decision it makes, the Crown Estate considers:
Net zero targets – ensuring we make real progress towards tackling climate change.
Regional economic growth – making sure investment benefits local communities, not just big corporations.
Resilience against risks & security threats – safeguarding our future energy security and economic stability.
This is about sustainable growth and a stronger future for the UK. We need this to happen as soon as possible. I’ve been assured that the spirit of my amendment is included in the bill.
You can watch my video to find out more. ⬇️
Looking Ahead
As we move into March, I want to wish everyone in Pembrokeshire a Happy St David’s Day!
This is a fantastic time to celebrate Welsh culture, our heritage, and the incredible community we are all part of. I look forward to continuing my work and seeing many of you at local events in the coming weeks.
If you need support or want to raise any concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Best wishes,
Henry Tufnell MP