Author: Rhys Gregory

Goods export values by Welsh businesses have recovered beyond pre-pandemic levels and totalled £19.4 billion for the year ending September 2022 , an increase of more than a third compared to the previous 12-month period and £1.7 billion higher than the year ending September 2019, Economy Minister Vaughan Gething has announced. The latest provisional figures show Welsh goods exporters have demonstrated significant resilience amid ongoing challenges in the global trading environment, from the war in Ukraine to currency instability and the increased costs of shipping and energy. Inspiring businesses to take up exporting, where it is right for them, has…

A new pilot project helping to prepare young people for a career and to understand their working rights has begun as part of the new Curriculum for Wales. Aimed at young people aged 13-16 years old, up to 35 schools from across Wales will take part in the new Unions and the World of Work programme. Schools’ collaborations with businesses are already providing learners with opportunities to learn about work and employment. Developing the skills required by employers, and to raise the aspirations of all learners in considering the full range of opportunities available to them. In this new programme,…

The inclusion of the Gateway site in Deeside on the shortlist of three sites for the Rolls Royce SMR factory to produce key components for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), shows the strength of the skills and expertise in North Wales, Ministers have said. Rolls Royce SMR has considered over 100 sites across the UK. The Heavy Pressure Vessels (HPV) factory will support the production of first-of-a kind SMRs in the UK, with additional potential for worldwide export.  The final decision on its location is to be taken in the New Year. The Welsh Government is committed to developing a low…

Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has awarded Coleg Sir Gar a three-year contract to work on eradicating Sheep Scab in Wales. Sheep Scab is one of the major disease risks for the sheep industry and can be spread through failures of biosecurity, complex movement patterns, and the mixing of sheep on and off farms, such as through common grazing. The aims and objectives of the project awarded to Coleg Sir Gar are to improve animal health and welfare standards by supporting industry to eradicate Sheep Scab from Wales. This consists of: Significantly reducing Sheep Scab outbreaks on Welsh farms. Accurate…

Are you planning on going on a holiday trip? Winter is that time of the year when we get to do end-of-year celebrations and have gatherings with friends and family. While we are not in lockdown anymore, the COVID virus is still spreading. For this reason, if you plan to go on a trip, ensure you get a Healgen rapid test kit to confirm none of your family members is infected. The test is one of the most accurate COVID-19 tests that offer quick results. Here are tips to help you stay safe during your winter holidays. Have a Quarantine…

A lot of people are still eager to gamble in the UK despite the fact that it is outlawed for the vast majority of the time. This article will provide some guidelines for finding an authentic online casino. When you are looking for casinos online you’re aware of the possibility of losing your entire bankroll and nothing remaining other than bad luck. If you decide to play at an online gambling site, make sure you locate one that provides decent odds and excellent customer service. Also, make sure that they offer good winnings guidelines to ensure that you will get…

Transport for Wales has successfully agreed a pay deal for workers with trade union partners. Through progressive negotiations with a clear focus on developing a social partnership, the overall deal includes a base line pay increase of around 4.5% with different parts of the organisation subject to different pay models. As a not-for-profit organisation, wholly owned by the Welsh Government, TfW is fully aligned with the Well-being of Future Generations Act (2015) and understands its responsibility to deliver for all in Wales, especially during the cost of living crisis. The Deputy Minister for Climate Change with responsibility for Transport, Lee…

The Henry Robertson Dining Room at Palé Hall in north Wales has been crowned Wales’ best hotel restaurant 2022 at the World Culinary Awards, held in Dubai on Tuesday 13th December. The annual awards celebrate and reward excellence in the culinary industry and votes are cast by a mix of industry professionals and the public. This year’s World Culinary Awards saw a global gathering of pioneers, influencers and leading figureheads from across the world attending the prize-giving evening at Onze Restaurant, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. The Henry Robertson Dining Room holds 3 AA Rosettes and a Green Michelin Star, which…

Two local delivery drivers have been praised for saving a customer’s life after administrating CPR at his home in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Luke Reeves and Phil Blanchard were delivering a new cooker to Mrs June Kitchen, who lives in Treorchy, and they were performing safety tests when she went to check on her husband upstairs. After finding him unresponsive, Mrs Kitchen called 999 and alerted Luke and Phil, who were contracted to online electricals retailer AO.com that day. Under the instruction of the emergency operators, they immediately began performing CPR on Mr Kitchen and managed to revive him with their…

This year, CITB has paid out over £5m more in grants and supported nearly 700 more employers compared to the same period in 2021. As we draw closer to the end of 2022, CITB data reveals that almost 12,500 businesses have been supported in the form of grants, with £54.6m paid out to date (Apr – Nov 2022), and more than half paid to small or micro businesses. The CITB Grants Scheme provides grants for employers in the construction industry that deliver day-to-day training for their workforce. There are several areas whereby businesses can apply for grant, including apprenticeships, short…