Author: Rhys Gregory

Funding for new surveillance cameras and a review into fixed penalties for fly-tipping are part of a tougher stance being taken by the Welsh Government to tackle illegal dumping. There were 42,171 fly-tipping incidents reported in Wales between April 2023 and March 2024, with 71% involving household waste. Now, thanks to Welsh Government funding, Fly-tipping Action Wales is providing local authorities with 150 new trail cameras to target hotspots and help clean up communities. Grants have been also awarded to Denbighshire, Flintshire, Neath Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire councils for enforcement and camera-based projects, with lessons to be shared with others.…

One of the UK’s largest independent tyre wholesalers is expanding into Wales after acquiring a warehouse, formally utilised as a TV studio for £7.75m, in a deal supported by global real estate firm JLL. Oak Group Holdings supplies over 6,000 tyre fitters and retailers with tyres, consumables and accessories from a portfolio that includes established brands such as Davanti, Landsail, and Envoy. With seven warehouses across the UK, it is able to hold over 900,000 tyres in stock for its customers. It has now acquired a new 155,150 sq ft logistics site on the Queensway Meadows industrial estate in Newport.…

An established estate and lettings agency in Ruthin is celebrating a major milestone as it marks 25 years of serving the local property market. Cavendish Estate & Lettings Agents, based on St Peter’s Square, has been a familiar presence in the town since opening its Ruthin office a quarter of a century ago. Over the past 25 years, the team has supported hundreds of buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants across Ruthin and the wider Denbighshire area. The anniversary comes at a time of continued change in the housing market, something the firm says has made local knowledge and long-term relationships…

Hollywood actor Michael Sheen has taken a striking step to support people struggling with unsecured debt by buying and forgiving around £1 million of their loans, using more than £100,000 of his own money to clear what they owed.  Sheen said he wanted to ease the pressure on people dealing with financial stress and to shine a light on the hardships many face with mounting bills and credit obligations. How did Michael Sheen cancel people’s debt? Sheen partnered with a charity that specialises in buying unsecured personal debt. These organisations typically purchase debt for much less than the original amount…

In recent years Cardiff’s office market has been gradually stabilising and in some areas showing renewed strength, with more space being leased and demand rising after several challenging years following the pandemic. The city has seen both landlords and occupiers adapt to changing patterns of work and business needs.  Annual figures from 2024 showed take-up reaching around 581,643 square feet, the highest total since 2017 and more than double the amount recorded in the previous year, indicating stronger activity and confidence returning to the market. This growth reflects interest from sectors such as financial services and professional firms, while some…

In the early months of 2026, the housing market in Wales is showing encouraging signs of recovery and activity, with more buyers and renewed confidence after a difficult period for the property sector.  According to the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) survey in Wales, a net balance of surveyors expect more sales and some price growth in the first quarter of the year, suggesting that buyer interest is increasing after a relatively quiet end to 2025.  The positive outlook from estate agents, property managers and surveyors points to a busier year ahead for Welsh housing, driven partly by…

Welsh MPs have urged the UK Government to pause new inheritance tax rules for farmers until there is a clearer understanding of how they will affect farm families and rural communities.  The cross-bench Welsh Affairs Select Committee criticised the way the changes were introduced, saying ministers have been too relaxed about the possible harm to Welsh agriculture and created confusion about the impact on smaller farms. The committee wants a proper assessment of how the reforms will affect Welsh farmers before they are implemented. The reforms, which were announced by the Treasury, would mean that agricultural property worth more than…

Employers must show compassion to employees who are grieving, facing addiction or illness because it protects wellbeing, supports productivity and builds long term loyalty. When people go through loss, serious health issues or substance problems, their focus and energy are reduced.  A supportive response from an employer can make the difference between recovery and resignation. In the UK, around one in four people experience a mental health problem each year, and thousands of employees face bereavement annually. Compassion is not only the right thing to do, it is also good business practice. How does compassion improve productivity and loyalty? When…

Playing games online, whether it’s on a desktop, mobile device or game console, is a popular pastime for many people in the UK. But why is it that the same games dominate the top of the download lists every year? Are Brits not interested in anything new? It’s not that. UK residents love the familiar; nostalgia is also a massive part of UK culture, and games fit into that. For a society that’s known for being busy and having long daily commutes, easy access to entertainment is vital. Here are the real reasons games like Candy Crush will never go…

Caring is demanding. You’re expected to balance compassion with skill, and every day brings new challenges. Training is more than a formality. It’s the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling prepared. When training is effective, it shows in practice. You see it in the way carers respond, adapt, and deliver care with confidence. Let’s explore what that looks like in real life. Enhanced Confidence Training should give you confidence, not just knowledge. When you practise scenarios and repeat tasks, you start to feel ready for whatever comes your way. Structured training courses and guided sessions help you build that mindset.…