Author: Rhys Gregory

The Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru have reached an agreement which will allow the budget for 2026-27 to pass and secures almost £300m of additional investment in Wales’ public service. The agreement will avoid the potential of no budget being passed at all and the consequences that would flow from that. There are three elements to the agreement: Additional funding for local government in 2026-27 – an extra £112.8m, which provides an overall 4.5% increase to the local government settlement. All councils will receive increases above 4%. Additional funding for the health and social care budget – an extra £180m,…

Senedd Members have supported a historic Bill, which will create Wales’ first smoke-free generation. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will cover all four UK nations, will see all young people born on or after 1 January 2009 unable to purchase any tobacco products. The Bill is currently being considered by the House of Lords after receiving the support of the House of Commons. Mental Health and Wellbeing Minister Sarah Murphy welcomed the Senedd’s vote on the legislative consent motion (LCM), saying the Bill will protect children and young people from a lifetime of nicotine addiction. Ahead of the vote,…

Universal Primary Free School Meals across Wales are to benefit from an estimated additional £8m investment over the coming two years, with the price spent per meal to rise from £3.20 to £3:40. Wales Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM) continue to go from strength to strength, with 57 million meals being served in primary schools across Wales since 2022. The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle has confirmed an additional 20p per meal, increasing the unit rate set by Welsh Government from £3.20 to £3.40. This means Wales provides the highest rate to primary schools and council catering teams…

Delighted children at a Denbighshire primary school were given a Christmas surprise when two rescue donkeys trotted to their festive fair. The appearance of Annie and Dugald was made possible thanks to a £150 donation from community-minded Lock Stock Self Storage, allowing the animals to be transported to Ysgol Gymraeg Henllan’s annual celebration. The donkeys quickly became the stars of the show, enchanting pupils, parents and stall-holders as they greeted youngsters outside Henllan Church Institute. Teaching assistant Bethan Roberts first suggested inviting the donkeys and contacted Denbigh-based Lock Stock whose team stepped in to cover the full cost of the…

A well-established training provider has entered a new phase of growth and expansion after securing a £70,000 micro loan from the Development Bank of Wales, enabling the business to expand with a second site. Heads of the Valleys Training offers transport, industrial and safety training for lorries, forklifts and other machines at its centre in Gilwern, Abergavenny. Established in 1969, the business was acquired by Paul and Alexandra Dunstall in 2002, with their son Ollie joining the business in 2013. The Gilwern site provides HGV, plant machinery, industrial and safety training to a wide client base, including in the logistics…

SWIFT ACTION from an optician at Specsavers Porthcawl led to the early diagnosis of a sight-threatening condition for a team member. In July 2025, optical assistant, Ffion Roberts, told specialist optometrist Rachel Burrows that she had been struggling to concentrate on screens and while driving. Concerned, Ms Burrows urged Ms Roberts – who is 24 years old – to have a sight test and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scan. The results revealed raised optic nerves in both eyes – a finding that can indicate increased pressure around the brain, which, if left untreated, can lead to blindness. Ms Roberts was…

After more than 30 years keeping people safe on the ground, former Swansea firefighter Keith Miles is now soaring to new heights — quite literally. He’s one of several local entrepreneurs, including the team behind healthy meal takeaway Macro Shack, who are turning ambition into success thanks to Swansea Council’s business support service. Keith, aged 59, has launched his own aerial photography and videography business, Elite Drone Photography, capturing footage of Swansea and beyond. Originally from Townhill and now living in Pontlliw, Keith served at Swansea Central, Neath and Sketty fire stations before retiring from the fire service. With help…

Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has been instructed to market The Old Courthouse, a Grade I listed landmark building in Caernarfon. Situated directly opposite the world-famous Caernarfon Castle, The Old Courthouse is a historic neo-classical building which has been extensively refurbished to become a versatile events venue, with a 250-seat theatre and elegant restaurant and bar facilities. The building benefits from a prime tourist location with high footfall and offers development opportunities, including potential to create boutique accommodation or enhanced hospitality concepts, subject to planning permission. The Old Courthouse is currently closed and available with vacant possession. James…

Cardiff Airport has shared the full schedule for the special Air France flights linking Cardiff and Paris in February 2026, giving travellers everything they need to plan trips for the Wales vs France Six Nations match and the Valentine’s weekend. The direct services to Paris-Charles de Gaulle proved a talking point when they were announced last week. Now, with confirmed flight numbers and timings, supporters and weekend travellers can book with confidence. French fans heading to the Principality Stadium will have several opportunities to arrive in Cardiff ahead of the Six Nations clash on Saturday 15 February. The series of…

FinTech Wales, the independent membership association for the fintech and financial services industry in Wales, has published its Fintech in Wales Annual Report 2024/25 – the organisation’s fifth and most comprehensive report to-date. To coincide with the annual report, it is also announcing that it will hold Wales’ first Fintech Festival next year. Together, these announcements mark a major moment for Welsh fintech, showcasing both the current strength of the sector and the ambition driving it into 2026. Key highlights from the report include: Over £20 million raised by Welsh fintechs so far in 2025: Investment activity has remained steady, with…