Author: Rhys Gregory

A Crumlin-based business is making waves across the UK and beyond with its pioneering work in contamination control and nuclear safety solutions. UniTech Services Group Ltd, which has been operating since 1998, supplies 42 UK customers and delivers protective garments, PPE services and decontamination solutions from its specialist nuclear laundry facility. The company also works with partners across Europe and further afield. Now, UniTech has teamed up with ACG Pulse to introduce Q-Web® RFID inventory systems. The technology allows for 24/7 unmanned distribution, real-time tracking and automated returns. It is already helping sectors such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, hospitality, public services…

South Wales Police has confirmed that crack cocaine has been seized in Butetown after proactive work by local PCSOs. On Sunday afternoon, PCSOs on patrol in Christina Street witnessed a suspected drugs deal taking place. Neighbourhood Officers were quickly alerted and a man was arrested at the scene. Eight wraps of crack cocaine, which were concealed in the suspect’s clothing, were recovered along with a quantity of cash. Inspector Ross Crutcher said:“We have a zero-tolerance approach to drug dealing and this is just one example of the work we are doing in Butetown. We regularly act upon the information provided…

An agreement which gives all learners at Welsh state schools free access to Microsoft 365 at school and at home is to continue, following a new licensing deal. As a new term starts the renewed agreement ensures Wales remains at the forefront of digital education. Accessed through Hwb, Wales’ innovative digital learning platform, learners and teachers can download Microsoft 365 services at home, for free. Wales’ was one of the first countries in the world to provide this initiative and since its introduction in 2019, over 1,450 schools have benefited and over 122,000 families, saving them £84.99 for a personal Microsoft…

The Welsh Government has announced £1.1m to support Age Friendly Officers across Wales. The announcement reinforces the government’s commitment to celebrate and support older people’s vital contributions to communities. It comes as International Day of Older People’s Day is marked today, with this year’s theme being ‘Building belonging: Celebrating the power of our social connections’. The funding will be split equally between local authorities in 2026-27, continuing the support which has been in place since 2022. Age Friendly Officers are vital in empowering older people to take active roles in their communities whilst building strong connections with third sector organisations.…

The overwhelming majority of pharmacies across Wales will be providing free treatment for a common infection without an appointment or prescription. Ninety-nine percent of community pharmacies will be able to treat urinary tract infections (UTI) as part of the Common Ailments Service from October. Pharmacists can assess the symptoms of a UTI and provide appropriate advice and treatment where needed, enabling access to free confidential NHS care without a GP appointment. This is the latest expansion of the Common Ailments Service – it follows the roll out of the award-winning sore throat test and treat service in June. It maximises…

Secondary school attendance rates have improved with overall absence falling from 12.0% to 10.9% in the 2024/25 academic year, new figures published today show. These latest figures show progress in tackling persistent absence, with the percentage of secondary school-aged pupils missing more than 10% of sessions falling from 37.1% to 33.0% between 2023/24 and 2024/25. Raising school attendance is a key commitment. We are working with schools, local authorities and other partners on initiatives to improve engagement, building on the good practice already happening in schools, and continue our attendance focused work via learner focus groups. Last year, additional funding…

Tortilla Mexican Grill plc, the UK and Europe’s largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant group with sites across Wales including Cardiff and Swansea, has announced record UK profitability and strong sales growth for the first half of 2025 as it continues to expand across Europe and the Middle East. Tortilla’s unaudited interim results for the 26 weeks ended 29 June 2025 (“H1 FY25”), reveal record results achieved through disciplined strategic investment and continued progress on its European expansion. In the UK, Adjusted EBITDA (pre-IFRS 16) rose an incredible 33% year-on-year to £2.4 million (H1 FY24: £1.8 million), reflecting a combination of improved…

Pennar Community School has been awarded Foundation level of the British Council’s prestigious International School Award in recognition of its work to bring the world into the classroom. The International School Award celebrates the achievements of schools that do exceptional work in international education. Fostering an international dimension in the curriculum is at the heart of the British Council’s work with schools, so that young people gain the cultural understanding and skills they need for life and work in today’s world. Pennar’s international work provides children with a rich learning experience that is beyond their classroom and local community. Over…

Young people in Wales must be encouraged into careers in construction if the industry is to survive, according to a leading figure in the housebuilding sector. Tim Grey, Sales Director at Llanmoor Homes, urged more schools and colleges in Wales to promote careers in construction amid fears that young people are no longer interested in working in such jobs. Llanmoor Homes, based in Pontyclun, recently appointed three of its long-serving employees to trainee and full site manager roles, all of whom have worked for the firm for more than ten years and started in junior positions. But Mr Grey said…

A hardworking South Wales couple juggling full-time jobs, a growing property portfolio, and family life have launched Honey Grove Sales and Lettings, a new agency determined to bring honesty and transparency to the local housing market. Husband-and-wife team Kate and Alex Johnson, who both work for Wales & West Utilities – Kate in the metering team in Newport and her husband Alex as a gas engineer – have spent the last four years building a property business on evenings and weekends. After successfully flipping seven properties, establishing a serviced accommodation business in West Wales, and managing multiple buy-to-lets in Treorchy,…