Author: Rhys Gregory

The Covid-19 situation has led to a crisis in the dairy sector and urgent support measures are needed to save the industry, the Farmers’ Union of Wales has stressed.  Following the closure of pubs, clubs and restaurants across the UK at the end of March, some dairy processors supplying the service sector found that their market had disappeared and orders have been cancelled overnight. The Government enforced closures have led to rapid drops in the spot market price for milk and some farmers have been forced to dispose of their milk down the drain due to processors not being able…

HUNDREDS of small businesses are seeing millions of pounds dropping into their bank accounts as Swansea Council works flat-out to support them during the Coronavirus pandemic. Already around £13.2m in grants has been paid out to businesses in the city under arrangements announced by the Welsh Government. At least another £10m in grants are being approved and they should be arriving in accounts over the coming days. However, businesses are being urged to be patient while a mountain of applications are sorted and payments continue to be made. Rob Stewart, Leader of the Council, said: “We are in unprecedented times…

People stuck at home during lockdown are being urged to play their part in protecting the NHS by taking care when cooking, not setting fire to waste and reducing their overall fire risk. Burns can lead to emergency admission to hospital, surgery including skin grafts and months of rehabilitation, putting an extra strain on services as patient numbers surge due to COVID-19. Both Mid and West Wales and South Wales fire and rescue services said cooking fires are the main cause of blazes in the home. Electrical fires and overloaded sockets are also a cause for concern. And the closure…

The Welsh Government has been urged to change its mind about expecting police forces to enforce a new law to keep workers two metres apart, it’s been revealed. North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones is backing the four chief constables in Wales who are unanimously opposed to the idea. Under the new legislation introduced by the Welsh Government, companies are being told to take “reasonable measures” to ensure the health of their workers. Employers will be breaking the law  if do not make sure that staff are able to maintain the two-metre physical distancing rule But the rules…

According to the latest NatWest Wales PMI® data, private sector firms registered a marked fall in business activity at the end of the first quarter. The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the enforcement of emergency public health measures weighed on client demand and led to the fastest contraction in new business since February 2009. Subsequently, firms cut workforce numbers at a strong pace, although companies were still able to process backlogs of work at the quickest rate for 11 years. Uncertainty towards how long the virus outbreak will last dragged business confidence down to the lowest since January…

When the coronavirus (COVID-19) initially broke out in Wuhan China back in December 2019, the majority of people in the UK considered themselves to be a safe distance from the chaos that was unfolding. However, by the end of March we saw the UK, like other countries in Europe such as Italy and France, fall victim to this faceless villain, and on 23rd March the whole of the UK was put on lockdown with no certain end date in site.  As well as the considerable health concerns during this pandemic period, there will also be a serious economic impact as a result…

Cwmbran based Cyril Luff (Metal Decorators) Limited, one of the UK’s main trade metal printing businesses, has been sold to a new management team led by James Hill and Celine Hanley-Hill. The new owners have plans to expand the business following the buy-out by the new management team, in a deal which was advised on by specialist mergers and acquisition advisory business GS Verde Group. Cyril Luff is an international supplier of decorated tinplate and aluminium sheets. The business was originally established in 1979 by Peter Luff, Arthur Williams and Paul Phillips. On the completion of the sale, outgoing Director,…

Nuffield Health, the UK’s largest healthcare charity, is making its Cardiff Bay and Vale Hospitals available to NHS patients following discussions with NHS Wales about how independent hospitals can support efforts against the coronavirus (Covid-19). Nuffield Health has also offered support with clinicians, support services and clinical equipment. Detailed conversations are currently taking place with local NHS colleagues about the level of support that NHS Wales needs. The immediate support will be for NHS patients needing time-sensitive surgery. The Charity will be reimbursed at cost meaning no profit will be made and this will be audited by external auditors. Rob…

Wales is set to bask in sunshine, with expected highs of 20-22C this Easter weekend. However, cooler weather is expected at the start of next week got many of us. Whatever the weather over the long holiday weekend we are all being urged to remember the Government Coronavirus guidelines to stay at home. In an unprecedented move yesterday, the First Minister of Wales, along with council leaders and authorities across Wales, have signed a letter pleading for people to stay indoors this weekend. Do not go out to meet others, even friends or family, as it is possible to spread the virus even…

An unprecedented letter from First Minister Mark Drakeford and signed by Wales’ emergency and health services and council leaders, calls on the Welsh population to stay at home and save lives over the Easter bank holiday weekend. Health Minister Vaughan Gething and Chief Medical Officer Frank Atherton join the NHS, the police, fire and ambulance services, charities, councils and voluntary organisations as signatories to the letter to help slow the spread of coronavirus. A letter to the people of Wales: As the Easter bank holiday approaches, we have one message for everyone. Stay home and save lives. Our public services…