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Seafood carbon emissions profiling tool ‘making an impact across the industry’

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SEAFOOD businesses have been embracing a new tool developed to help them measure and reduce their carbon footprints.

The Seafood Carbon Emissions Profiling tool was launched earlier this year by Seafish, the public body that supports the UK seafood industry.

It works by generating carbon footprints for wild capture and aquaculture seafood products to build an understanding of emissions hotspots in supply chains, allowing positive improvements to be made in line with the UK’s 2050 net zero targets.

The tool is now being used by prominent seafood businesses including Hilton Foods, New England Seafood International (NESI) and Arctic Traders.

At Hilton Foods, who work with leading international retailers and food-service brands, the tool is being used to understand the carbon footprint of seafood products, such as basa fillets, at retail.

Emer Fardy, Group Sustainability & Human Rights Director at Hilton Foods said: “We are proud to have collaborated with Seafish to develop the Seafood Carbon Emissions Profiling Tool which has transformed how we at Hilton Foods assess and manage our seafood environmental impact.

“This tool empowers us, our suppliers, and the wider industry to consistently measure carbon emissions calculations across the sector – a vital step toward achieving net zero.

“The tool exemplifies the kind of innovative collaboration needed to make real progress on sustainability by supporting a more efficient approach to reporting and creating more time for the actions that concretely reduce carbon emissions.”

Last year, NESI committed to setting long-term science-based targets to achieve net-zero emissions by no later than 2050.

To effectively set a target and have it validated with the Science Based Targets Initiative*, NESI has been working to understand greenhouse gas emission footprint and hotspots across their sites and supply chains.

Ruth Hoban, NESI’s Head of Sustainability said: “We are using the tool in collaboration with our strategic seafood suppliers to help us understand and manage the carbon footprint of our seafood supply chains.”

“As part of the Seafood Grimsby and Humber Alliance, NESI has played an important collaborative role in the development of the tool and we intend to embed it into our data collection process to support our decarbonisation journey.

“We have found the tool simple to use.

“The layout of the tool guides the user through the information required in a structured way. We look forward to working with our suppliers on the tool and its outputs as it supports our journey to net zero.”

Arctic Traders, who specialise in the procurement of fresh and frozen seafood for leading European processors, retailers and the food service sector, is using the tool to understand CO₂ emissions associated with transport options, mainly in choosing between road and sea freight of seabass from Turkey.

Seafish’s Head of Responsible Sourcing, Dr Stuart McLanaghan, highlighted the three companies’ use of the SCEPT when he spoke recently at the international Global Seafood Alliance’s Responsible Seafood Summit in St Andrews month.

He said: “The case studies indicate how UK seafood businesses are using the tool to understand the carbon footprint of their seafood products and to inform transitional decarbonisation activities.”

“We’ve created a series of short tutorial videos that cover everything users need to know, from requesting tool access and populating data to interpreting carbon footprint results.

“The SCEPT is designed to be intuitive, eliminating the need for an instruction manual. We’re confident that users can easily get started without the usual software learning curve and there is no need for prior technical expertise in LCA or carbon-footprinting.

“The tool’s integration across UK seafood supply chains is also essential to generate high-quality industry averaged datasets for benchmarking and public disclosure purposes. However, we are only at the end of the beginning. We will continue to evolve the tool to meet industry’s needs and aspirations, and to integrate data reflecting latest scientific advances.”

Business

£1 billion boost to Welsh Economy as ultrafast broadband reaches 1 million

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A REPORT from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) and Stantec reveals that Openreach’s ongoing rollout of Ultrafast Full Fibre broadband could inject £1 billion into the Welsh economy by 2029.

This prediction coincides with a major milestone: over one million homes and businesses in Wales now have access to ultrafast Full Fibre broadband via Openreach’s network.

The research, commissioned by Openreach, highlights the transformative potential of Full Fibre broadband, including economic growth, job creation, and enhanced social connectivity.

Lion Hotel: A digital transformation success story

Treorchy’s award-winning Lion Hotel is among the properties celebrating the broadband milestone. Known as a community hub and a venue for study groups, meetings, and co-working, the Lion Hotel has embraced digital transformation with the installation of ultrafast broadband.

Adrian Emmett, the hotel’s owner, explained: “Since coming out of lockdown, we’ve digitised our business systems, including music, tills, CCTV, and bookings. But our Wi-Fi often struggled, letting down customers who use the Lion Hotel as a shared working space. With ultrafast broadband, we can now provide a seamless experience. It’s a game changer for our business and the community.”

The Lion Hotel has also installed interactive dart systems and plans to expand its TikTok presence, which already boasts 127,000 followers and 260 million views. Emmett added:
“With ultrafast broadband, the sky’s the limit. We can now explore live streaming and other opportunities that weren’t possible before.”

Economic and social benefits

The Cebr report outlines the extensive benefits of Full Fibre broadband:

  • Economic Growth: Contributing £66 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy by 2029.
  • Job Creation: Enabling 620,000 people, including parents and older workers, to re-enter the workforce through flexible opportunities.
  • Healthcare Advancements: Supporting five million online appointments annually by 2029—double the current figure.
  • Educational Gains: Improving pass rates for 21,700 students in key subjects.
  • Property Value Increases: Boosting the average home value by £1,900.
  • Environmental Impact: Reducing car journeys and carbon emissions by allowing 1.4 million more people to work from home.

Government support and future plans

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens praised the milestone, stating:
“Reaching one million properties in Wales with ultrafast broadband is a significant achievement. Full Fibre broadband is essential for boosting growth and productivity in communities across Wales.”

Rebecca Evans, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, added: “The Welsh Government is committed to delivering the connectivity services that businesses, the public sector, and homes in Wales need to thrive. This milestone is a testament to that commitment.”

Openreach aims to expand its Fibre network to 25 million UK premises by 2026, with plans to reach 30 million by the decade’s end. Suzanne Rutherford, from Openreach’s Complex Engineering Wales, said:
“With Full Fibre now available to one million Welsh homes and businesses, we’re laying the groundwork for economic growth, job creation, and increased opportunities for remote work and digital innovation.”

To check Full Fibre availability, residents can use the Openreach postcode checker and contact their broadband provider to upgrade. More details can be found in the Cebr report at openreach.com/about/policy-hub.

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Tourist attractions to close in protest over tourism tax

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WELSH tourist attractions will shut their doors for a day this week in protest against the Welsh Government’s proposed tourism tax. The Welsh Association of Visitor Attractions (WAVA), which represents over 100 major sites across the country, has announced a coordinated closure on Tuesday, December 10, following an emergency meeting.

Protest against tourism tax plans

The protest targets a proposed visitor levy that could be introduced in 2027. Under the plan, hotel, B&B, and self-catering guests would face a nightly charge of £1.25, with hostels and campsites paying a reduced rate of 75p. Local councils would have the option to implement the tax in their areas.

WAVA has warned the tax could severely damage the tourism sector. The group cited government-commissioned research suggesting the levy could lead to a £40 million loss in revenue and cost over 700 jobs in the industry, even with an estimated 1.6% drop in visitor numbers. Many industry leaders fear the actual impact could be far worse.

Industry leaders voice concerns

Anglesey Sea Zoo described the proposed tax as “one more blow” to an already struggling sector. “Welsh tourism hasn’t recovered since Covid,” she said. “People will go to England rather than pay a tax to holiday in Wales. This tax risks killing tourism.”

The Zoo’s management criticized rising operational costs such as minimum wage increases and VAT rates, which she compared unfavorably to European tourism markets. “Tourism tax works in Europe because they pay 8% VAT, not 20% like us,” she added.

Other WAVA members expressed similar concerns. One attraction owner estimated they would need an additional £25,000 annually to cover wage and national insurance increases. The sector has also reported a 23% drop in overnight visitors last year, with 60% of attractions experiencing fewer visitors than in 2023.

Calls for government action

In a statement, WAVA said: “Welsh tourism is the slowest to recover from Covid compared to other UK regions. All leading experts in Welsh tourism had advised the Welsh Government not to go ahead with a tourism tax.”

Tourism operators hope the closures will send a powerful message to policymakers, highlighting the challenges facing the industry and the potential consequences of the proposed levy.

Highlighting industry struggles

Tuesday’s closures aim to draw attention to the financial and operational pressures facing Welsh attractions. Rising costs, declining visitor numbers, and post-pandemic struggles have left the industry vulnerable, with leaders urging the Welsh Government to rethink the tourism tax and engage more closely with stakeholders.

Experts support the levy

Linda Osti, Senior Lecturer in Tourism Management at Bangor University, said: “The introduction of a visitor levy is a significant step forward for Wales. Drawing on our research, it’s clear that when implemented thoughtfully, such levies can not only enhance the visitor experience but also address some of the environmental and social challenges posed by tourism. Hypothecating the funds for tourism-related projects is particularly important, ensuring that both locals and tourists see tangible benefits.”

Rhys ap Gwilym, Senior Lecturer in Economics at Bangor University, added: “Opponents often argue that a levy could discourage visitors, but our findings suggest otherwise. In many destinations worldwide, tourism taxes have actually contributed to a more sustainable and attractive tourism offering. By carefully considering local nuances, such as including day visitors or tailoring rates seasonally, Wales has a chance to lead the way in innovative tourism management.”

Both experts emphasized the importance of collaboration and flexibility in the levy’s design. They noted that empowering local authorities to manage revenues effectively could ensure the funds are used strategically. “A well-monitored and adaptable levy could act as a model for other regions,” said Dr. Osti. “Regular evaluations will be essential to refine the system and maintain its effectiveness over time.”

Dr. ap Gwilym concluded: “This levy is not just a tax; it’s an investment in Wales’s future as a sustainable and competitive destination. By learning from global best practices and addressing local challenges, we can ensure long-term benefits for communities and the economy alike.”

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People in Wales ‘most honest’ on financial applications

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JUST 7% of people in Wales would consider providing false information to secure a preferential rate on financial products, according to new data from global information and insights company TransUnion. This is significantly below the UK average of 19%.

Despite ongoing cost-of-living pressures, which see almost half of UK households (43%) struggling to keep up with inflation, Wales emerges as the most trustworthy part of the UK in this area. Northern Ireland (41%) and London (36%) top the list of regions where residents are most likely to consider providing inaccurate information for better financial deals.

Welsh honesty stands out

James Robinson, Managing Director of Consumer Interactive at TransUnion in the UK, praised the findings:
“It is heartening to see that most people stay honest when applying for financial products, despite experiencing continued strain on their finances – and that should be commended. It’s also worth noting that not everyone who says they would provide false information actually follows through. However, even a small minority of consumers doing so can cause significant challenges for financial providers and risks for the individuals involved.”

Legal ways to secure better deals

While Wales leads in financial honesty, the research highlights that some misrepresentation persists. For instance, 10% of respondents in Wales find it acceptable to use a different email address to access new customer deals, while 9% see no issue with being named as a driver on a vehicle they don’t use.

Robinson emphasized that even seemingly minor falsifications can be considered fraud, carrying severe legal and financial consequences. Instead of resorting to dishonesty, consumers are encouraged to explore legal alternatives. TransUnion suggests practical steps such as shopping around for deals, accessing pre-approved offers, or using credit monitoring tools to improve financial standing.

Credit monitoring proves effective

The research revealed that 87% of people in Wales who used a credit monitoring service found it helpful. Benefits included identifying steps to improve credit scores (38%), gaining a better understanding of credit mechanics (34%), and recognizing eligibility for specific loans or rates (16%). These measures reduce the temptation to falsify information.

Top tips for better financial deals

TransUnion offers the following advice for securing better financial terms without resorting to dishonesty:

  1. Check your credit score regularly
    Monitoring your credit score can help you identify simple ways to improve it, such as registering to vote or setting up Direct Debits for minimum repayments.
  2. Look for pre-approved offers
    These deals are tailored to your credit profile, increasing the likelihood of approval and saving time.
  3. Consider credit unions
    Credit unions often provide competitive rates and ethical alternatives for borrowing.
  4. Refinance or negotiate existing deals
    Use credit monitoring tools to identify opportunities to lower rates on loans or credit cards.
  5. Stay vigilant against fraud
    Regularly check your credit profile to catch suspicious activity and protect your financial health.

Wales sets the standard

While challenges remain, the honesty displayed by most Welsh residents serves as a benchmark for the rest of the UK. By adopting legal strategies to secure better deals, consumers can safeguard their financial well-being while maintaining integrity.

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