Author: Rhys Gregory

The Welsh Government has announced a package of work to reform vocational skills training in Wales. By developing a Welsh skills system that is fit for the future, the Welsh Government will ensure that education and training opportunities are aligned with the real needs of Welsh employers and industries and reflect future opportunities in the Welsh economy. The Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education made the announcement at a National Training Federation for Wales (NTFW) event in Cardiff today.  This work includes a skills audit and a Future Skills Summit planned for Autumn 2026. The skills audit is currently…

Have you lost a ring in Cardiff Bay? South Wales Police are appealing for help to reunite a ring with its owner after it was discovered outside Cardiff Bay Police Station. The ring was found on the steps of the police station and officers are now hoping to trace the person it belongs to. Anyone who believes the ring may be theirs is being asked to contact South Wales Police and quote property reference SWP7213. Police have said proof of ownership will be required before the item can be returned. Those wishing to claim the ring can contact South Wales…

A 38-year-old man has been jailed for attempting to speak to who he thought was a child online. The child was in fact an undercover police officer. Stephen Francis Mitchell, of Llanegryn, was made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) in 2018. However, in September 2023 he breached the order when he began using an online chat to speak to who he believed to be a 12-year-old girl. He asked her to send photos of herself to him. Mitchell was arrested, and an examination of his digital devices found 286 indecent images of children, including the most serious…

Vue Cinema Cardiff has announced it will close later this month, bringing an end to more than two decades of big screen entertainment in the Welsh capital. The cinema, located at Stadium Plaza next to Principality Stadium and Cardiff Central railway station, first opened its doors on 11 April 2003 and has been a popular destination for film fans ever since. Over the years, the venue has become particularly well known among students and city centre visitors, thanks to its central location and regular discounted ticket offers. Situated within Stadium Plaza, Vue Cardiff features seven screens equipped with Digital Dolby…

Motorists faced delays on the A470 during Wednesday morning’s rush hour after a collision blocked a lane near Upper Boat. Traffic Wales reported that lane two of the southbound carriageway was blocked following the incident, with emergency services sent to the scene. The collision happened on the A470 near Upper Boat, a key commuter route linking Pontypridd and the surrounding valleys with Cardiff. Traffic Wales warned drivers to expect disruption while emergency services dealt with the incident. The latest traffic alerts show an accident on the southbound carriageway between Pontypridd and Upper Boat, with delays possible for road users travelling…

Kismet Kebabs Limited has been fined £500,000, along with £259,000 costs at Swansea Crown Court following a major investigation by Swansea Council into fraudulent food mislabelling. On Friday 5 June, the company, based in Chelmsford, Essex, was sentenced, after pleading guilty to one offence of fraud by false representation. Swansea Council’s Trading Standards team launched the investigation in 2020/21 after samples taken during a regional exercise raised concerns that products labelled as lamb kebabs did not match their declared contents. Further enquiries and formal analysis found significant discrepancies between labels and the actual composition of the products. The investigation found…

Motorists and public transport users are being advised to plan ahead as a series of road closures will be in place across Cardiff city centre to accommodate the Pride Cymru Parade. The annual parade will take place on Saturday, June 13, with thousands of people expected to take part in celebrations across the Welsh capital. The parade is scheduled to begin at 11am and finish at approximately 2.30pm. However, some roads, including Castle Street, will remain closed until midnight to allow for event infrastructure to be dismantled. The parade route will start on Westgate Street before travelling along Castle Street,…

Respect, solidarity and fair play are the values which matter to the people of Wales,  and these are now the foundations which underpin the government’s work to reduce poverty, tackle inequality and build fairer, safer and united communities. That was the message from Deputy First Minister and Minister for Social Justice and Equality, Sioned Williams, in her first Oral Statement to the Senedd to outline her priorities. Work on a transformational childcare offer has already begun. The Deputy First Minister today announced the establishment of the Expansion of Childcare Expert Steering Group, which will inform the rollout of the scheme…

Motorists are being urged to avoid part of Cardiff this morning after an incident led to the closure of a petrol station in Pontcanna. South Wales Police said officers are currently at the scene of an incident at the ESSO petrol station on Cathedral Road. The petrol station has been closed and is expected to remain shut for some time while the incident is dealt with. In a message issued to the public, police advised motorists to avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible. Delays are expected on surrounding roads as a result of the closure and ongoing…

The search is on for Wales’ Home of the Year 2026. The popular property show is back for a fourth series, with BBC Radio 2 presenter and drumming sensation Owain Wyn Evans, interior designer Mandy Watkins from Anglesey and Cardiff-based architectural designer Glen Thomas. In the first episode, airing on BBC One Wales and BBC iPlayer on Thursday, 11 June, the judges head to Mid Wales and the Valleys, where they must choose between a 17th century cottage in Neath, a farmhouse renovation in Lampeter and a colourful end of terrace house in Aberystwyth. Scoring them on architectural merit, distinctive…