Author: Rhys Gregory

The UK is home to a great many private sector businesses. Figures from the government point to there being over 4.7 million in England in 2024, and Wales boasts some 220,000 from a much smaller total pool. From there, ONS figures showed that there were over 106,000 small and medium-sized enterprises in operation in Wales in 2021. SMBs are integral to local and national economies, and have a distinct advantage even over their larger private sector peers. The smaller firms can be much more nimble, especially when it comes to leveraging new technologies to get a competitive edge. Looking to…

Mae’r stori hon hefyd ar gael yn Saesneg – cliciwch yma i’w darllen. Heddiw, cafodd rhagor o fanylion am Gyllideb Ddrafft gwerth £27 biliwn Llywodraeth Cymru eu nodi, sy’n dangos cynnydd mewn cyllid ar gyfer pob adran allweddol. Dywedodd yr Ysgrifennydd Cyllid, Mark Drakeford fod y cynlluniau gwario adrannol yn dangos ymrwymiad y llywodraeth i ddiogelu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus hanfodol, wrth gynnal sefydlogrwydd cyn etholiad y Senedd. Mae Cam Dau Cyllideb Ddrafft 2026-27 yn nodi mwy na £800 miliwn o gyllid ychwanegol o’i gymharu â chyllideb y llynedd, ac mae’n diogelu cyllid ar gyfer iechyd, addysg a gwasanaethau hanfodol eraill. Dywedodd yr Ysgrifennydd…

This story is also available in Welsh – click here to read it. Further details of the Welsh Government’s £27bn Draft Budget showing increases in funding for all key departments were set out today. Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said the departmental spending plans show the government’s commitment to protecting vital public services, while maintaining stability ahead of the Senedd election. Stage 2 of the Draft Budget 2026 – 27 sets out more than £800m of additional funding compared to last year’s budget, with protected funding for health, education and other essential services. Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said: “These spending plans show how…

The Celtic Manor is one of those places you’ve either heard of or driven past along the M4 in Newport. It’s hard to miss. In recent years, it’s gone from being known as a hotel to a full-blown destination in its own right, offering a bit of everything – luxury, dining, leisure, and plenty to do for all ages. Many will know it for hosting big events or visiting the ICC Wales next door, but what about those of us who live nearby? Is it worth booking a stay when it’s practically on your doorstep? Absolutely. For us, it’s always…

A band from North Wales have marshalled a huge community effort to get behind a fundraising single in aid of a specialist Liverpool neurosciences hospital which saved the life of one of their friends. The band, Idle Lies, were inspired to create the single after The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust cared for their friend Daniel Parsonage of Connah’s Quay, who developed a life-threatening brain haemorrhage last summer. His recovery is still ongoing, but to show their thanks, friends in the band have recorded a Christmas single, with all proceeds going to support The Walton Centre Charity. Songwriter and guitarist…

A remarkable piece of broadcasting history has resurfaced as the BBC in Bangor celebrates its 90th anniversary. The speech by none other than the former Prime Minister, David Lloyd George was broadcast prior to the 1935 general election. The so-called Welsh Wizard took to the airwaves from Bangor to criticise the government of the day. Professor Jamie Medhurst from the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies at Aberystwyth University has listened to the broadcast: “It’s a very interesting speech that criticised the Government and its Ministers in which he talked about the shortcomings of the Government’s foreign policies. It’s…

A new book mixing travel with culture, natural history with human history, myth and legend – a true exploration of Wales through its rail network, will be written over the coming months. Transport for Wales has partnered with former BBC arts and media correspondent Jon Gower to deliver the exciting new project, which will involve him using the Wales and Borders rail network and Wales’ bus network to travel the country and tell its story. Jon, who has over 40 books to his name will work as an ‘author in residence’ for Transport for Wales and bring the public transport…

Police are investigating after a nine-month-old baby died following a dog attack at a home in Rogiet. Gwent Police received a report of a dog attack at an address in Crossway around 6pm on Sunday, 2 November. Officers attended the scene along with paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service. Tragically, the baby was pronounced dead at the scene. The dog involved has been seized and removed from the property. Chief Superintendent John Davies said: “We understand that there will be concerns around this incident, but officers are on scene and will be making further enquiries as the investigation progresses.“If you…

Fawaz Alsamaou, 33, from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, has been jailed for sexually assaulting a woman in Cathays, Cardiff. The woman was walking from the city centre during the early hours of Sunday, May 12, 2024 when she became aware of a man walking behind her. She was then sexually assaulted under the railway bridge close to Senghenydd Hall. Extensive enquiries were conducted and Alsamaou was identified as a suspect following a CCTV appeal for information on BBC Crimewatch. In a Victim Personal Statement to the court, the woman, now aged 24, described the impact of the crime. “The attack that…

Mae’r stori hon hefyd ar gael yn Saesneg – cliciwch yma i’w darllen. Bydd Caerdydd yn cynnal Gwasanaeth Cofio Cenedlaethol Cymru ddydd Sul, 9 Tachwedd, mewn seremoni sy’n cael ei threfnu ar y cyd gan Gyngor Caerdydd a Llywodraeth Cymru, mewn partneriaeth â’r Lleng Brydeinig Frenhinol. Yn rhan o’r digwyddiad coffa, bydd carfannau o’r Llynges Frenhinol, y Fyddin, y Llu Awyr Brenhinol, y Llynges Fasnachol a’r Lluoedd Cadetiaid yn gorymdeithio heibio Neuadd y Ddinas ac ar hyd Rhodfa’r Brenin Edward VII, gan ymgynnull wrth Gofeb Ryfel Genedlaethol Cymru yng Ngerddi Alexandra, Parc Cathays erbyn 10.40am. Yn ymuno â nhw fydd colofnau o…