News
Illegal workers fine of £120,000 for Haverfordwest car wash
DRIVE & SHINE Hand Car Wash in Haverfordwest has been fined £120,000 for employing illegal workers, following a Home Office investigation into their practices.
The business, located in Cartlett, was named in the government’s latest quarterly report on employers penalised for illegal working. The report, covering penalties issued between April 1 and June 30, 2024, was released on October 31.
During the summer, the Daily Mail reported that Drive & Shine employed workers from Bulgaria, Romania, and Kurdistan. On busy days, as many as ten employees were observed pressure-washing, polishing, and valeting cars at the site.
Manager Aras Karam, a Kurd, defended the business, claiming it adhered to health and safety regulations while paying staff at least the minimum wage, “sometimes more.” He stated that the company conducted employee checks to ensure they had the legal right to work in the UK, adding:
“That isn’t happening here. There are so many car washes in the country now, some will be operating illegally, I know that. But this is a legitimate business, we have been here for many years. I’m not saying it doesn’t go on, but it depends on the place and who is running it.”
Community trust shaken
Long-time customer Sue Williams, 57, a furniture restorer, shared mixed feelings about the allegations. While expressing support for the workers, she said she trusted authorities to ensure compliance.
“They work hard and do a good job. I’ve been coming here for years. I’d think again if the place was being used for money laundering and was staffed by slave labour. But I put my trust in the police and immigration authorities to make sure it’s a properly run business.”
Government response
The Home Office emphasised the severe consequences for businesses employing workers without the legal right to work in the UK. A spokesperson said:
“You can also be penalised if you employ someone who does not have the right to work and you did not do the correct checks, or you did not do them properly. If this happens, you might get a ‘referral notice’ to let you know your case is being considered and that you might have to pay a civil penalty (fine) of up to £60,000 for each illegal worker.”
Publishing the names of offending businesses is part of the government’s strategy to deter others from engaging in illegal employment practices.
Employers urged to comply
The £120,000 fine highlights the importance of compliance with right-to-work laws. Businesses must verify employees’ legal status through checks such as reviewing passports, visas, or work permits.
The Home Office provides a free online service to assist employers, helping them avoid fines and reputational damage.
The penalty against Drive & Shine has raised serious questions about employment practices in the car wash industry, sparking concerns about oversight and compliance nationwide.
Charity
Guide dogs campaign highlights access challenges during festive season
THE FESTIVE season brings joy for many but poses challenges for guide dog owners, who often face stress and exclusion due to illegal access refusals. Despite laws protecting their rights, an alarming 90% of guide dog owners report being denied access to businesses and services, including taxis, shops, and hospitality venues.
Sue Canham, a guide dog owner from Tenby, has experienced such discrimination firsthand. Recently, six taxis at Cardiff train station refused to transport her and her guide dog. Sue has also faced refusals at restaurants and pubs, raising serious concerns about the treatment of visually impaired individuals.
Widespread discrimination
Research from Guide Dogs, a leading charity for individuals with sight loss, highlights a significant lack of awareness. Only 42% of the public are aware that guide dogs are legally allowed in most businesses. In the past year alone, 72% of guide dog owners reported access refusals, with 41% of these incidents occurring in food and drink establishments.
Such refusals not only violate the law but also take a toll on the mental and social well-being of those affected. Nearly 80% of guide dog owners admitted altering their plans or avoiding certain venues due to fear of refusal.
Ruby Jay, a guide dog owner from Colchester, shared her experiences: “I’ve been illegally refused service about 25 times this year. It’s humiliating and stressful. I’m even skipping my Christmas party to avoid facing another rejection.”
A call for inclusion
Guide Dogs is urging businesses to prioritize education and staff training, especially during the festive season, to foster a more inclusive environment for guide dog owners.
Eleanor Briggs, Head of Policy at Guide Dogs, said “Access refusals are almost always illegal and deeply isolating, particularly during a time meant for celebration. We’re calling on businesses to ensure their staff are aware of the law and to make inclusion a priority this Christmas.”
Key statistics
- Discrimination remains prevalent: 90% of guide dog owners have faced access refusals.
- Awareness is low: More than 70% of customer-facing staff report receiving no training on the rights of assistance dog users.
- Well-being impact: Half of those refused access report being treated disrespectfully, and some have encountered aggression.
- Public support for inclusivity: 64% of people would avoid businesses that discriminate against guide dog owners.
Steps toward change
The “Open Doors” campaign by Guide Dogs aims to bridge the awareness gap by encouraging businesses to educate their staff about the legal rights of guide dog owners. By taking these steps, businesses can ensure a more inclusive and welcoming festive season for everyone.
For more information, visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/opendoors.
Caption: Tenby resident Sue Canham is among many guide dog owners advocating for equal access this Christmas season (Pic: Herald).
Education
Campaigners fight to secure Lampeter University’s future
CAMPAIGNERS are striving to secure 10,000 signatures on an online petition to prompt a debate at the Welsh Senedd about the future of Lampeter University.
The petition follows an announcement in November by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) to relocate all undergraduate teaching from Lampeter to its sister campus in Carmarthen. The decision has sparked a campaign to safeguard Wales’ oldest university.
The Lampeter Society, an alumni group, has strongly opposed the proposal, citing years of underinvestment in Lampeter’s infrastructure, courses, and marketing. In contrast, the Society claims significant resources have been allocated to expand the university’s Swansea campus.
“Inevitably, this prioritisation against Lampeter has led to a marked decline in student numbers on the Lampeter campus,” the Society stated. “But the proposals will have a devastating effect on the local community as well as opportunities and employment in the area.”
The petition calls on UWTSD and the Welsh Government to create a “viable, sustainable plan for the long-term future of the Lampeter campus.” Over 2,000 supporters, many of them alumni from across the UK, have signed so far. However, 10,000 signatures are required to secure a debate at the Senedd.
Organisers have intensified their efforts, reaching out to residents in the streets, pubs, and shops of Lampeter to drum up local support.
Local voices join the campaign
Former student Jane Langford, who lives near Lampeter, highlighted the potential impact of the changes.
“Local people are all very aware how bad this would be for the town,” she said.
“The campus at Lampeter has always fostered an environment of acceptance and inclusivity, and gave me the confidence to be myself. I’ve carried that with me throughout my life.
“Local campuses and universities are so important for widening provision and access to higher education. For so many people, studying in a campus like Lampeter is perfect, as not everybody wants the hustle and bustle of a bigger town or city. I feel very sad that these proposals will end 200 years of undergraduate teaching at Lampeter.”
A historic institution under threat
Established in 1822, Lampeter University is Wales’ oldest higher education institution. In 2009, it merged with Trinity College Carmarthen and later joined Swansea Metropolitan University to form UWTSD.
Supporters of the campaign who wish to sign the petition can visit: https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/246410.
Community
Welsh Government introduces new Bill to tackle mining legacy
THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has today (Dec 9) introduced a landmark Bill to address safety issues arising from Wales’s disused mining tips. The Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Bill, spearheaded by Deputy First Minister and Minister for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, proposes the creation of a dedicated Disused Tips Authority for Wales.
If enacted, the Authority would oversee the management, monitoring, and safety of disused coal and non-coal tips across the country. This would make Wales the first in the UK to establish a comprehensive framework for tip safety.
The proposed body would be a Welsh Government-sponsored organisation tasked with ensuring disused tips no longer pose risks to human welfare due to instability. It would handle the assessment, registration, monitoring, and long-term management of these sites.
A response to devastating landslides
The Bill follows a series of incidents, including the catastrophic landslide at Tylorstown in February 2020, when storms Ciara and Dennis triggered the collapse of a disused tip. Over 60,000 tonnes of debris fell into the Rhondda Fach River, leading to the creation of the Coal Tip Safety Task Force.
In its evaluation, the Law Commission concluded that existing legislation is inadequate for managing disused coal tips, recommending a comprehensive legal overhaul.
Tylorstown visit marks key moment
To mark the introduction of the Bill, Huw Irranca-Davies visited Tylorstown, the site of the 2020 landslide. Speaking from the location, he said:
“Wales has a proud mining heritage, and it is imperative that we have a structured approach to managing disused coal and non-coal tips to ensure they are safe and not a threat to our communities.
“These landslides, as well as the recent incident at Cwmtillery, illustrate the potential risks and concerns that disused tips present to the people living in their shadow.
“This Bill is about keeping communities safe and is part of a wider programme of work to improve the safety of disused coal tips. I look forward to working with MSs and stakeholders on the Bill’s proposals in the coming months.”
The scale of the challenge
Wales is home to 2,573 disused coal tips, with estimates suggesting there are more than 20,000 additional disused tips across the country. The proposed legislation is set to create a unified and proactive approach to managing these sites, safeguarding communities while preserving the country’s industrial legacy.
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