Author: Rhys Gregory

More than £800,000 is being provided to help parents going through child protection processes, ensuring their voices are heard and they feel supported every step of the way. Speaking at the Parent Advocacy Network (PAN) Cymru Conference in Port Talbot, Minister for Children and Social Care Dawn Bowden confirmed £133,600 of the funding will be provided to roll out its popular Parent Café model to more areas. The cafés offer parent-led peer support spaces, helping families build confidence and resilience. Research shows parental advocacy reduces the number of children entering care, improves relationships between parents and social workers, and gives…

Recycling has increased again as Wales continues its journey towards being a zero-waste nation. Local authority municipal waste figures released this week, show the recycling rate has gone up from 66.6% in 2023-24 to 68.4% in 2024-25 – a complete transformation from around 5% pre devolution. Today’s statistics are the first annual data published since new workplace recycling measures were introduced in Wales, requiring all businesses, public and third sector workplaces and collectors to keep key recyclable materials separate. Since then, an extra 8,187 tonnes of recyclable material has been collected from workplaces by local authorities – up 42% on the…

Timber cladding continues to be specified across the UK for its environmental credentials, visual warmth, and adaptability to a wide range of building types. At the same time, fire safety has become one of the most closely scrutinised aspects of building design, particularly for external wall systems. The intersection of these two realities has reshaped how timber cladding is assessed, approved, and ultimately used. Public discussion around cladding and fire risk often lacks nuance. Timber is frequently described as either unsafe or prohibited, when in reality its use is governed by detailed regulation that focuses on system performance rather than…

Starting a business in Lithuania can feel deceptively simple: the country is digital, EU-based, and generally welcoming to founders. Yet many entrepreneurs hit the same friction points early – not because incorporation is complicated, but because a few initial decisions quietly determine what becomes easy or painful later. The real risk is not “doing it wrong,” but building on assumptions: choosing a structure that blocks investment, underestimating compliance duties, or leaving founder relationships undefined until the first conflict appears. This article focuses on the decisions that matter most when you want a company that is not only registered, but truly…

Are you thinking about switching to a company-based buy to let model? It can be a sensible move, and a professional tax advisor can help you find that out, as there may be significant cost savings. An increasing number of landlords are switching to this way of operating so that they can increase their investment opportunities. When researching this avenue, comparing standard buy to let and limited company buy to let figures will be one of the first ports of call. This guide will give you an understanding of how they differ. Company-based vs individual models First, it’s important to…

Importing goods from Europe offers Welsh businesses the opportunity to access a diverse range of products and competitive prices, helping them grow and stay ahead in their sectors. European imports are made simple when companies use an experienced UK freight forwarder who can handle transportation and customs clearance. Many Welsh businesses are discovering that importing can boost efficiency, reduce costs, and provide access to new markets. How European Imports Work for Welsh Businesses Step-by-Step Import Process Simplified For companies, importing from Europe starts with sourcing reliable suppliers, confirming product quality, and agreeing on terms. Once these details are arranged, goods…

Shipping containers earn their reputation the hard way, at sea, under cranes, in weather that chews through lesser materials. On land, they’ll keep doing the job for decades, but only if you treat them like the buildings they become. Hinges seized. Seals harden. Roof pool. Ignore the small stuff and you invite leaks, corrosion, and security issues that cost real money later. This is a practical guide for UK owners, site managers, small businesses, and conversion projects, on what to inspect, what to repair, and when replacement is the smarter move. We’ll also point to where to find parts domestically,…

A teen from Builth Wells will be taking on the ABP Newport 10K as part of her brain tumour recovery. Erin Coyle, 17, says this will be the furthest she has run in over a year since she was diagnosed with the condition, and it will be her first race post-treatment. Erin, who is studying for her Geography, Business and History A Levels, found out she had a brain tumour in March 2025. She said: “In September I went to my GP with hormonal issues and was referred to an endocrinology clinic. I had blood tests and scans but nothing…

Siwan Rees and Sam Sharkey step in as Acceleration Managers at NatWest’s Cardiff Accelerator Hub, strengthening support for Welsh start-ups. The Cardiff Hub’s latest event draws over 150 entrepreneurs, spotlighting NatWest’s commitment to business growth in Wales. NatWest’s Accelerator Programme has helped more than 10,000 entrepreneurs across the UK access expert support and networks. NatWest Cardiff Accelerator Hub Welcomes New Leadership to Power Welsh Start-Ups NatWest has doubled down on its backing for Wales’ start-up scene with the appointment of Siwan Rees and Sam Sharkey as Acceleration Managers at the Cardiff Accelerator Hub. The move signals a major boost for…

Occupier demand for commercial property in Wales fell at the end of 2025 and respondents expect rents and capital values to be lower this quarter, according to the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) commercial property monitor, but the outlook for 2026 as a whole appears more stable. A net balance of -32% of Welsh respondents reported a fall in overall occupier demand through the fourth quarter last year, which was the second lowest balance across all the UK regions. Demand for each of the subsectors (office, retail and industrial) was said to have declined, including industrial, whose net…