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Welsh Government announces £200m support for small businesses in wake of coronavirus outbreak

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THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has today announced a package of support worth more than £200m for small businesses to help them during the coronavirus outbreak.

Retail, leisure and hospitality businesses in Llanelli with a rateable value of £51,000 or less will receive 100% business rate relief and pubs with a rateable value of between £51,000 and £100,000 will receive a £5,000 reduction on their bill.

A further £100m will be available for a new grant scheme for small businesses Further details on this new grant scheme will be confirmed as soon as possible.

Welcoming this announcement, Lee Waters MS, said: “I’m pleased that the Welsh Labour Government is offering this package of support to businesses as part of their response to the Coronavirus outbreak.

“They are doing everything they can to support businesses to deal with the impact of coronavirus. My advice to all businesses is to use the help and advice that is available.

“Any business affected should contact the Business Wales telephone helpline on 03000 603000. They can help with practical advice – from staffing to financial planning as well as supply chain support.

“The Development Bank of Wales is also available to help – it has equity and loan funding it can make available immediately to small businesses to help them through the cash flow and other challenges they may face in next, difficult, few weeks and months. The Development Bank of Wales can be contacted on 0800 5874140.”

Finance Minister, Rebecca Evans AM, said: “We are allocating every penny of the funding we will be receiving as a consequence of the schemes the UK Government announced in England last week to support businesses in Wales.

“But I know that helping businesses with their rates bills will not be enough to protect them from the severe drop in custom many are experiencing as coronavirus cases increase.

“We will be calling on the UK Government to act quickly and decisively to provide a very significant support package for vulnerable businesses and their employees.”

Please find below links to current information issued that you may find useful for your business and continuity.

A number of announcements were made in the March 2020 Budget including financial support that businesses can expect to access:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-employees-employers-and-businesses

In terms of Department for Work and Pensions support for employers, here is a useful link (via GOV.UK): https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-support-for-employees-benefit-claimants-and-businesses?utm_source=37472ed5-c0b4-4625-8801-549259dc908d&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate
Further and complementary advice can also be found on the Business Wales Website: https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice

Visit Wales also provide some specific advice for tourism businesses regarding the situation. This can be found by following:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKWALES/bulletins/280805d

We should all help protect ourselves and our communities by following Public Health Wales advice at: https://phw.nhs.wales/coronavirus

There is also updated information regarding the virus on the Welsh Government website. Please view: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-action-plan

We are also starting to see banks such as Lloyds offering support via low interest loans sources. We will update this information as further opportunities come forward.

 

Community

Port launches waterway safety competition with monthly prizes

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THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has announced the launch of its first Waterway Safety Competition, set to begin in April.

The initiative aims to promote safe and responsible use of the Milford Haven Waterway, one of the busiest and most diverse waterways in Wales. The waterway is used daily by paddleboarders, kayakers, sailors, swimmers, and large commercial vessels, making safety a key priority.

As part of the competition, participants are invited to showcase their own interpretation of the waterway through any creative medium. All art forms are welcome, and entries will be judged monthly.

Each month, winners will receive prizes designed to support water safety, including lifejackets and training sessions.

The Port hopes the competition will encourage greater awareness of safety while celebrating the unique character of the waterway.

For more information or to enter, visit: https://www.mhpa.co.uk/waterway-safety-competition/

 

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Reform UK unveils Carmarthenshire Senedd candidates

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REFORM UK Wales has announced its full list of candidates for Sir Gaerfyrddin (Carmarthenshire) ahead of the Senedd election on Thursday, May 7.

Leading the list is Gareth Beer, the party’s Carmarthenshire chairman, a local businessman, father of four and Kidwelly town councillor. In the 2024 General Election, he came within around 1,500 votes of winning the Llanelli seat — Reform UK’s strongest result in Wales.

Beer said the party had assembled “a strong team of decent, hard-working people” ready to represent the county.

He said: “We have already started campaigning strongly across the constituency, and the reception we are receiving on the doorstep has been overwhelmingly positive.

“People have had enough of the lies they hear from politicians and want to give a new party a genuine chance to make real changes.”

He added that key issues raised by voters included NHS waiting lists, education standards, the economy and the cost of living.

Full candidate list

The Reform UK candidates for Sir Gaerfyrddin are:

Gareth Beer – Businessman, Kidwelly town councillor and Carmarthenshire chairman for Reform UK.

Carmelo Colasanto – County and community councillor with a background in retail, compliance and multinational business operations.

Sarah Edwards – Retired dental professional and smallholder, known for campaigning on rural and environmental issues.

Christopher Brooke – Retired engineer and manager with more than four decades’ experience in manufacturing.

Alan Cole – Former senior corporate leader and business owner who has worked with small businesses across South Wales.

Michelle Beer – Marketing and PR professional and Reform UK county councillor for the Lliedi ward, elected in a 2025 by-election.

The party said the team brings experience from business, engineering, healthcare and public service.

Reform UK Wales said its campaign in Carmarthenshire would focus on reducing NHS waiting times, improving education, supporting small businesses and addressing the rising cost of living.

The party is positioning itself as an alternative to what it describes as the political “status quo” in Cardiff Bay.

 

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Police watchdog investigates after gunshot fired inside Milford Haven flats

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A POLICE firearm was discharged inside a block of flats in Milford Haven during an incident on Saturday evening (March 28), it has emerged.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed a single shot was fired at around 6:32pm after officers were called to reports of disorder at Bunkers Hill involving a person believed to be carrying a knife.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has now confirmed it has been notified. A spokesperson said the force had made a voluntary conduct referral, which will be assessed before any decision is made on further action.

Police have stated that the firearm was not directed at any individual and that no injuries were reported.

A witness close to the matter told The Herald that the shot was fired as an officer entered the flats and moved up the stairs, with the bullet striking a breeze block wall. This account has not yet been officially confirmed.

When Herald reporters attended the scene on Sunday afternoon, a significant police presence remained, with officers seen going in and out of the building and carrying out checks around the rear of the flats.

The precise circumstances leading to the discharge remain under investigation.

More to follow.

 

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