A NEW report from Amazon’s 2024 UK Economic Impact Hub highlights the company’s significant contributions to the Welsh economy, revealing an investment of over £2 billion since 2010. This long-term commitment has generated substantial economic benefits, including an estimated £1.8 billion in goods and services added to Wales’ GDP.

The report, which examines Amazon’s regional economic footprint, outlines both job creation and support for local businesses. Amazon has created over 2,000 full and part-time roles in Wales and supported 180 individuals through its employability skills training program since 2010. Additionally, more than 2,600 Welsh small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) currently sell on Amazon’s platform, collectively achieving export sales exceeding £110 million in 2023 alone.

A notable community initiative, the Cwtch Mawr Multibank in Swansea, was co-founded by Amazon in collaboration with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2024. This project has already provided essential goods to families in need across Wales.

David Marcok, Amazon’s General Manager in Swansea, expressed pride in the company’s positive regional impact: “We’re passionate about supporting the Welsh economy and communities through our investments, job creation, charitable donations, and volunteering. Our team is committed to uplifting the community through initiatives that help SMEs grow and support various local causes.”

In 2024, Amazon’s Swansea team furthered their community support, assisting organizations such as Swansea Bay Health Charity, Neath Foodbank, and Waun Wen Primary School with volunteer efforts, product donations, and financial backing. Marcok added, “We’re excited to continue backing these good causes as we focus on delivering for our customers, sellers, and communities.”

For additional information, visit the Amazon Economic Impact Hub here.

SEVENTY percent of UK professionals are struggling to ‘switch off’ from work, an issue which is leaving many unable to relax and even lose sleep over.

With the Government’s plans to double down on professionals’ ‘right to switch off’ deferred to their Next Steps to Make Work Pay document, new research from global talent solutions firm Robert Walters highlights that professionals are regularly finding their personal time interrupted by work-related emails, tasks or calls.

Lucy Bisset, Director of Robert Walters North comments: “Not being able to fully ‘switch off’ from work can result in a variety of negative side effects for professionals. From diminished concentration and motivation to their productivity and engagement levels dropping off.

“All professionals should feel able to relax and unwind outside of work – without the concern of having to pick up work-related tasks.”

According to the Robert Walters poll, 29% of professionals state that not being able to log-off properly from work has directly resulted in them losing sleep – whilst a quarter cite being unable to relax or reset themselves for the next day.

A further 35% of professionals have struggled with increased stress or anxiety because of this.

Lucy comments: “Missing out on hours of sleep, being unable to fully relax as well as experiencing increased stress or anxiety can pose a huge threat to professional’s ability to work, even carrying out regular tasks and activities. Not to mention, maintaining a satisfactory work-life balance.”

A key trigger of not being able to switch-off from work is the mounting pressure on professionals to be ‘always available’ – with 67% of workers across all professional services industries stating that this pressure has increased over the past 12 months.

76% admit to checking-in on work-related emails or calls when not in the office and a further fifth stating that their employer ‘frequently’ contacts them outside of office hours.

Lucy comments: “Over recent years the boom of workplace tech like Teams and Slack has meant that teams can be more easily tracked and contacted by their managers, whilst the rise of hybrid/remote working has caused professionals to literally bring work home with them.

“An ‘always online’ workplace culture contributes to the blurring of lines between office hours and personal time as well as an increasingly unrealistic expectation for greater availability. This is something that if left unchecked can rapidly lead to increased cases of burnout across workforces.”

Indeed, according to further research from Robert Walters’ Benefits Guide, 86% of UK companies have hybrid-working options, while a further 55% have the option of flexible working hours.

However, there is some variation between industries – for example, professionals working in financial services (93%) and technology (87%) are more likely to have hybrid-working options than engineering professionals (64%).

Whilst professionals in general management are 19% more likely to have flexible working hours than those in tax, legal and compliance (65% vs. 46%).

Lucy comments: “Professionals in traditionally on-site roles often have a clear boundary between work and personal life – being able to ‘clock off’ when they finish for the day.

“Something which becomes more blurred for those working from home. With many professionals who have a hybrid-working schedule literally bringing work home with them 2-3 days out of the week.”

What is the antidote?

When asked about what employers could do to help them to switch off, two-fifths of professionals suggested ‘setting realistic deadlines’ and over a quarter (27%) said putting a limit on out-of-office contact.

Other strategies mentioned were boosting wellbeing incentives (16%) and encouraging regular breaks throughout the working day (16%).

Lucy comments: “Employers who verge on creating a ‘zombie workforce’ put employee productivity, engagement and satisfaction levels on the line. This could also directly lead to a rise in cases of absenteeism throughout their organisation.

“This issue must be addressed head on, by establishing a solid foundation of achievable deadlines, manageable workloads along with clear boundaries between work and personal time – for both those working from the office and at home. Once this groundwork is set, additional improvements like enhanced wellbeing incentives can be introduced.”

MILFORD HAVEN Port Authority was dealt a short-lived setback last week when the government indicated it would announce five new freeports in Wednesday’s budget.

In a Financial Times report published Friday, a government insider confirmed Downing Street was preparing to reveal five additional freeports across the UK, joining the twelve currently designated sites, including those at Milford Haven and Port Talbot, aimed at boosting economic growth and job creation. The report also suggested that Labour Leader Keir Starmer anticipated the new freeports would “bear this government’s stamp,” despite the policy’s origins in Conservative-led initiatives.

However, in a rapid reversal, the government clarified on Sunday that Wednesday’s budget will not announce new freeports. Instead, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to focus on plans and funding to make several existing designated freeports “operational,” moving closer to full functionality with approved tax and customs status.

Milford Haven, along with Port Talbot as part of the Celtic Freeport project, and Anglesey Freeport were designated as Wales’s first freeports in March 2024 but remain awaiting full operational status.

Currently, twelve freeports are scattered across the UK, including sites at Inverness, the Forth, Teesside, the Humber, Liverpool, Anglesey, Plymouth, the Solent, the Thames, and Felixstowe and Harwich. However, not all are classified as operational, as some await final designation of specific tax and customs sites to activate intended benefits.

The government confirmed that the chancellor’s budget announcement will establish five new customs sites within existing freeports rather than launching entirely new locations. Ports at Inverness and the Humber will, for the first time, have designated customs sites, enabling the Humber site to become operational and eligible for tax reliefs and funding. Meanwhile, Inverness is still awaiting final sign-off. Three additional customs sites will be introduced at Liverpool, adding to the city’s existing infrastructure.

Freeports’ impact on UK economy

Freeports, positioned strategically near ports or airports, exempt imported goods from tariffs, a model aimed at spurring economic activity in trade, investment, and job creation. Businesses operating within these zones benefit from tax reliefs, such as property and employment incentives, meant to attract long-term investment. Originally active in the UK from 1984 until 2012, freeports were phased out by David Cameron’s government. Rishi Sunak reintroduced them as chancellor in response to Brexit, seeking to soften tariff impacts and establish a stable investment climate.

Since 2021, the UK has established eight freeports in England and two each in Wales and Scotland. However, challenges remain, as some officials and critics argue the zones merely shift economic activity rather than creating net growth. Despite these critiques, industry leaders in Milford Haven view the Celtic Freeport as a green corridor that could foster local prosperity through inward investment and job creation.

The vision for Celtic Freeport

For the Port of Milford Haven, expectations remain high as it partners in the Celtic Freeport project. A spokesperson for the port commented: “We’re encouraged that the parliamentary process to formally designate the Celtic Freeport has begun. Subject to necessary approvals, we are hopeful the Celtic Freeport will be open for business by the end of November 2024.”

Tom Sawyer, Chief Executive of Milford Haven Port Authority, added, “The Celtic Freeport’s vision is to create a green investment corridor, helping to drive major inward investment, future skills development, and decarbonisation. For Pembrokeshire’s communities, that means new career routes, opportunities for business expansion, and greater local prosperity.”

While Downing Street’s recent miscommunication may not directly affect ongoing plans, its mixed signals underscore growing concerns over government coordination and the effectiveness of freeports in achieving their ambitious economic goals.

For the Port of Milford Haven, optimism remains high as they await the final approvals to make the Celtic Freeport a reality by the end of the year, contributing to a green and prosperous future for Pembrokeshire and beyond.