Author: Rhys Gregory

The Welsh Government today published its First Supplementary Budget, allocating £294m across its key priorities for the year ahead. Today’s budget confirms new funding of £20m to boost the supply of social housing, £40m to improve school buildings and £5m for community facilities that people across Wales rely on. It also includes £10m to keep bus and coach travel affordable for young people and increase services, £2m for the Cynnal child payment and £2m to give more children the chance to learn to swim. The Cabinet Minister for Finance, Elin Jones, said:  “This Government was elected with a clear mandate…

The Wales STEM Awards 2026 have officially launched, with entries now open for organisations and individuals driving innovation, research, education and skills development across Wales. Now entering their sixth year, the awards are embarking on an exciting new chapter. The awards ceremony will take place on 1 October 2026 at Techniquest, Wales’ iconic science discovery centre, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The move marks a significant evolution for the programme, with a refreshed format designed to better reflect the collaborative and innovative nature of Wales’ STEM sector. Rather than a traditional black-tie dinner, guests will be welcomed…

Visitors to Cardiff Bay will benefit from significantly improved parking facilities this summer as Mermaid Quay officially opens its brand-new multi-storey car park. The new facility, which provides 679 parking spaces across eight split-level floors, has been developed to improve access to one of Wales’ most popular waterfront destinations ahead of a busy season of events, dining, shopping and family days out. Located adjacent to Mermaid Quay, the car park includes 33 accessible parking spaces and 29 parent and child bays, helping to make visits to Cardiff Bay easier and more convenient for a wide range of visitors. The facility…

The stage is almost set for one of the biggest live music events of the summer, with Cardiff preparing to welcome 175,000 people to Blackweir Fields across five nights of concerts. Blackweir Live 2026 gets underway on Wednesday with a sold-out performance from rock legends The Cure, before vocal powerhouse Teddy Swims takes to the stage on Friday. Global superstar Lewis Capaldi will then headline two consecutive nights on Tuesday, June 30 and Wednesday, July 1, before GRAMMY Award-winning rapper Pitbull brings the series to a close on Saturday, July 4. Presented by Cardiff-based Depot Live, the live events arm…

A family-run healthcare equipment business in North East Wales has doubled its turnover to £4.6 million and grown its workforce to 53 people as it marks its 20th year in business, capping the milestone with a move to a purpose-built headquarters at Llay Industrial Estate, near Wrexham. Healthcare Matters supplies a comprehensive range of medical equipment and maintenance services to the NHS, the private care sector and individuals at home. The relocation to Llay represents a significant step up in capacity, and the company is using the new space to launch a professional training hub for occupational therapists, district nurses and community carers, alongside plans to roll out a new digital resource designed to improve the quality of life for vulnerable…

Public voting has officially opened for Shed of the Year 2026, with this year’s shortlist now revealed. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the competition once again showcases the creativity, craftsmanship and personal stories behind Britain’s most imaginative sheds, with entries ranging from artist studios and wartime museums to restored boats, allotment retreats and unique garden sanctuaries. After reviewing hundreds of entries from across the country, judges have selected the 38 sheds that will now compete for category titles and the coveted overall Shed of the Year crown This year’s shortlist highlights just how versatile modern sheds have become. Whether serving as workshops, storage spaces, entertaining areas, creative studios or…

Thousands of square metres of outdoor space have been enhanced across Flintshire, hundreds of people have secured new qualifications, and numerous companies have taken key steps to reduce their carbon footprint. From installing a new 140-metre timber boardwalk at Talacre and launching new community groups to empowering businesses to implement low carbon infrastructure, 18 projects have delivered positive outcomes across the county. Backed by the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and building on the success of the 2022/25 programme, the funding focused support on three areas across 2025/26: communities and place, support for business, and people and skills. Flintshire County…

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of Forest Gate Health Care Ltd, which comprises three care homes across South Wales: Woffington House, Ty Ross Nursing Home, and Oakdale Manor. Founded by Richard Hutchinson over 25 years ago, Forest Gate Health Care Ltd is a reputable provider of care services across Wales. The group comprises three established care homes, all of which provide dementia and elderly care. Ty Ross Care Home and Woffington House are purpose-built facilities, registered to accommodate up to 38 and 36 residents respectively. Both homes are located near local amenities in the…

Mentera has announced the appointment of Heledd Bebb as its new Chair, following the end of Fflur Jones’ term in the role in May. Heledd joins Mentera at an exciting point in the organisation’s development, as it continues to build on its success and deliver its ambitious strategy to support businesses across Wales to venture and thrive. Heledd is a Director and co-owner of OB3 Research (Old Bell 3), a consultancy specialising in public policy research, evaluation and advisory services. She joined the company in 2015 and leads work across a number of key policy areas, including education, employment and skills, health, culture, and economic development. Her…

As a rare red heat warning is issued in parts of the country this week with rising temperatures across the UK, Dogs Trust Cardiff is urging owners to think carefully about when to walk their dogs, warning that hot pavements and warm conditions can quickly put dogs at risk. While many owners look forward to dog walks on sunny days, Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, is reminding people that pavements and parks can become dangerously hot, and exercise increases the risk of heat-related illness such as heat stroke. Unlike humans, dogs can’t regulate their body temperature by…