Author: Rhys Gregory

New stats published today show that 2,676 additional affordable homes were built in Wales in 2021/2022. Registered Social Landlords continued to make the largest contribution, delivering 80% of the total. Local authority owned social rented units made up 18% of the total with 486 new homes. The majority of these were delivered by five local authorities, Cardiff (99 units), Carmarthenshire (91 units), Swansea (60 units), Pembrokeshire (57 units) and Denbighshire (56 units). The stats show that 2021/22 is the third highest delivery figure recorded despite being down compared to 2020/21 and 2019/20. Climate Change Minister Julie James said: “Everyone deserves…

Brand new trains, hydrogen fuelled buses and tripling walking and cycling routes – these are just some of the ways the Welsh Government plans to ‘make the right thing to do, the easy thing to do’ according to Deputy Minister Lee Waters. The Deputy Climate Change Minister – who has responsibility for transport – provided an update on how transport plans are progressing across Wales while at a visit to see electrification rail works taking place in Radyr. To date the Welsh Government has invested more than £1.6bn on a series of transport programmes across Wales which will be essential…

Welsh Smokers are choosing between smoking, heating, or eating, as the cost of living deepens in Wales. Concerns have been raised by the health charity ASH Wales and Welsh NHS services, who have both seen a rise in smokers seeking support. According to ASH Wales, smoking is not a habit but an addiction, which explains why smoking can lead many into financial hardship. For context, a packet of cigarettes now costs in the region of £12. Research conducted by ASH has found that smokers now spend on average £2,451 a year on cigarettes, which is the cost equivalent of an…

Sam Warburton, former captain of the Wales and British Lions rugby union teams announced USW’s new high-performance sport programme, at an event last week. USW Honorary Fellow, Sam, was joined by Dawn Bowden MS, Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, and Chief Whip, who opened the event. The focus of the new programme is to enhance the student experience by providing a high-performance environment for USW students whilst they continue to play football, rugby, or netball, at a high level. It has been designed to offer elite athletes, or those aspiring to compete at national or international level, a host…

COLEG CAMBRIA received a glowing report for its further education provision. Estyn, the education and training inspectorate for Wales, praised the north east Wales institution – which has sites in Deeside, Wrexham, Llysfasi and Northop – for its “clear focus on improving the learning experiences” of students Inspectors also referenced Cambria’s “inclusive and caring environment” and highlighted that “most learners feel safe and supported”. Their report added: “Across the college, learners value the culture that promotes their independence and supports them for progression to the next level and the world of work. “The curriculum offers a wide range of courses…

RSPCA Cymru is appealing for information after six rabbits were found abandoned in a dog crate in a wooded area in Newport. A member of the public found the two adult rabbits and four baby rabbits in a dog crate on 28 January at around 4pm in a wooded area near Dyffryn. Sadly one of the babies was found dead, and another shortly died afterwards. RSPCA deputy chief inspector Gemma Black said: “The rabbits are now safe in our care with the two baby rabbits going into foster homes and the two adults being cared for at a boarding establishment.…

Aldi is rolling out its partnership with the world’s largest surplus food platform, Too Good To Go, to all of its stores in Wales. Following a successful trial last year, the UK’s fastest-growing supermarket is making the surplus food bags available nationwide, in a bid to tackle food waste while also offering even lower prices to customers. The ‘Magic Bags’ will contain a range of grocery products that are approaching their sell-by or use-by dates at less than a third of the price, costing just £3.30 each to purchase for at least £10 worth of food. To get a Magic…

An artist from Llandudno Junction is opening a contemporary gallery in Colwyn Bay aimed at breaking down barriers in the art world and reinvigorating North Wales’s cultural scene by incorporating the world of NFTs and the Metaverse. Rob Bebbington, 31, came up with the idea for ink. Gallery after feeling inspired by the sense of community in the world of street art. “I’d come from a fine art education but I loved the street art community, its diversity and its welcoming spirit and I wanted to bring that to North Wales. I felt like there was a need for new…

Archway Veterinary Centre, which has branches in Chepstow and Caldicot, has transitioned into an employee-owned business, the first veterinary practice to do so in Wales. The practice is now owned by 26 of its staff and is governed by an Employee Ownership Trust. Andrea Reynolds, who has been one of the directors of the business since 2011 – taking over sole interest in the small animal practice in 2014 – has sold her interest in the business to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). Andrea will remain at Archway as one of three clinical Directors, while there are also three Trustee…

ACT, Wales’ leading training provider has collaborated with WJEC, Wales’ largest  awarding organisation to create a Self-Development and Wellbeing qualification targeted at young people. This sector leading qualification is the first of its kind for ACT and WJEC and directly addresses the issues and barriers to learning that many young people today now face. The qualification units were devised around ACT’s wellbeing wheel which encompasses a range of topics from emotional resilience to personal identity, hygiene and more. The qualification units support learners’ personal growth as well as their engagement with learning and is also unitised and credit-based, allowing for…