Author: Rhys Gregory

Business confidence in Wales rose 35 points during December to 52%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds. Companies in Wales reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 39 points at 68%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, up 30 points to 35%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 52% (vs. 17% in November). A net balance of 20% of businesses in the region also expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up 15 points on last month. Looking ahead to the next six months, Welsh businesses identified their top target areas for growth as introducing new technology, such as automation or AI (52%), investing in their team, for example through training (34%) and entering new markets (34%). The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses…

A mum diagnosed with cancer at the age of 29 says she needs to make every Christmas special for her young children because “you never know if this is your last”. Amy Isidoro, from Cwmbran, began treatment for an aggressive form of breast cancer when her son, Ben, was six months old and her daughter, Phoebe, was five. The primary school teacher had been fit and healthy with no family history of breast cancer when she was diagnosed. She finished a round of chemotherapy just before Christmas but had to return to hospital with an infection. “I just remember thinking…

South Wales Police are continuing to investigate a road traffic collision on the A48 Cowbridge Bypass. The collision happened at around 8.25pm on Monday, December 8, at the junction with the B4270. It involved a silver BMW with European number plates. Police said the vehicle had been pursued by officers from Cowbridge Road West in Ely after it was seen being driven in a dangerous manner. The car later collided with a roundabout on the A48 Cowbridge Bypass. Two men were arrested a short time after the collision. Police confirmed that one has been released with no further action, while…

South Wales Police are appealing for help to find a missing 17 year old boy from Bridgend. Omran has not been seen since around midday on Thursday, December 19. He is described as being around 5ft 6in tall. When he was last seen, Omran was wearing a black tracksuit top and matching bottoms, white Nike trainers, and was carrying a light blue suitcase along with a green Barbour bag. Police believe he may have travelled to Bristol, possibly by train. He is also known to have links to London, Liverpool, Bristol and Birmingham. Officers are asking anyone who may have…

A man from Swansea has been jailed after committing a burglary in Townhill. 38-year-old Daniel Allen, from Waun Wen, was identified as the suspect after attempting to sell a lamp stolen from the property at a nearby shop. Other ornaments, computers, phones and trainers were also stolen during the burglary, at an address on Gomer Road. Allen pleaded guilty to burglary at Swansea Magistrates Court on November 13. He has been sentenced to 20 months in prison. Detective Constable Liam Jenkins said: “Daniel Allen had already been remanded for 13 shoplifting offences at the time of the investigation into this…

Caerphilly County Borough Council has once again support the “Everyone Deserves a Christmas” campaign, led by Nick Smith MP and Carolyn Harris MP, helping families and individuals facing hardship to enjoy a dignified and meaningful Christmas. This year, 50 Christmas hampers will be distributed to families and people in need across the Upper Rhymney Valley. Recipients were identified through partner organisations and council services working closely with local residents, helping to ensure support reached those who would benefit most. The hampers were delivered to Rhymney Library Hub, which again served as the central point for distribution. The initiative was made…

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies recently visited FareShare Cymru in Cardiff to see how vulnerable families across Wales will benefit from expanded food redistribution services this Christmas. The organisation transforms surplus food into meals for those in need, working with school breakfast clubs, community cafés and homeless shelters across Wales. Since 2015, with support from Welsh Government, FareShare Cymru has redistributed nearly 7,000 tonnes of food, preventing food waste whilst delivering over 20 million meals for vulnerable people. Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said: “Christmas can be such a worrying time for families facing financial challenges. That’s why FareShare Cymru’s…

Hundreds of children supported by social services teams across the Vale of Glamorgan will wake up to gifts on Christmas morning, thanks to the incredible success of this year’s Santa’s Cause campaign. Gift bags are making their way to doorsteps across the Vale, ensuring that children and young people who might otherwise go without can experience the joy and excitement of waking up to a gift on Christmas Day. Santa’s Cause is a Vale of Glamorgan Council campaign that brings together staff, residents, local organisations and businesses to raise funds and provide Christmas gifts for children and young people from…

A three-storey historic village cottage with views over the River Dyfi in Powys sold for £100,000 at auction. The delightful property, in the hamlet of Forge close to the bustling art and cultural centre of Machynlleth, was listed with a guide price of £75,000. Sean Roper, of Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “The sale presented a rare and wonderful opportunity to acquire a truly delightful and intriguing, three storey cottage of quality in what is a wonderful location. “The property, 2 Bontfaen, Forge, offers the new owner plenty of scope to improve but nevertheless, has a wealth of intrinsic character which…

WALES is missing out on opportunities to save and prolong people’s lives because of a funding shortage for research into cancer. That’s the warning today from Cancer Research Wales which says demand for cancer research grants from scientists in Wales has outstripped its budgets in recent years. The charity has been one of the main charitable funders of cancer research in Wales, since it was established in 1966. Struggling to meet demand But in recent years, it has struggled to meet the demand it has received for funding from cancer scientists. Between 2021 and 2024, the charity had requests for…