MILFORD HAVEN is among several sites in Wales where ambient gamma radiation levels remained stable, despite the country recording the highest overall rise in such readings across the United Kingdom.

New analysis by environmental company SunSkips, using data released by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, shows that Wales saw an average increase of 11.11% in ambient gamma radiation this January — the highest of any UK nation.

Ambient gamma radiation refers to the background level of gamma rays naturally present in the environment. Gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, similar to X-rays but with higher energy. They originate from cosmic rays, naturally occurring radioactive materials in the soil, and gases such as radon. Human activity — including medical procedures, nuclear power, and certain industrial processes — can also contribute. While low levels of ambient radiation are expected and generally harmless, monitoring changes is important for assessing environmental safety and potential health risks.

While Milford Haven held steady at 0.12 µGy/h, several other Welsh sites recorded noticeable increases. Rhyl, in Denbighshire, experienced the sharpest rise at 11.11%, with radiation levels increasing from 0.09 µGy/h to 0.10 µGy/h. In Ceredigion, both Aberporth and Trawscoed saw increases of 9.09%, rising from 0.11 µGy/h to 0.12 µGy/h.

In contrast, St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan showed the biggest decrease across Wales, with a 9.09% drop — down from 0.11 µGy/h to 0.10 µGy/h.

Other locations with no change included Mumbles Head (Swansea), Aberdaron (Gwynedd), Lake Vyrnwy (Powys), and Valley (Anglesey).

Looking at the broader picture, Wales leads the UK in gamma radiation increases:

Mat Stewart, Managing Director at SunSkips, said there are many misconceptions about radiation levels and nuclear waste. He said that while some nuclear waste is long-lived, modern waste treatment and deep geological storage mean it can be safely managed without posing significant danger to the public.

First Minister says UK Government funding will help Wales tackle waiting times and support communities

THE FIRST MINISTER has welcomed a £1.6bn funding boost confirmed in the UK Chancellor’s Spring Statement – saying it will allow the Welsh Government to invest in health, education, and communities across the country.

In a measured response to the Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ economic update, First Minister Eluned Morgan acknowledged the difficult financial context but stressed that Wales stood ready to use the additional resources to deliver real improvements.

She said: “The Spring Statement confirms the £1.6bn boost to our funding for the next financial year and provides an additional £16m on top of that.

“Wales will benefit from a growing economy and interest rates that are going down.”

The statement comes after the UK Government outlined a package of spending plans aimed at restoring fiscal balance, including controversial cuts to disability benefits and warnings from the Office for Budget Responsibility about sluggish income growth and rising inflation in 2025.

Despite the uncertain national outlook, the First Minister said Wales remained focused on its priorities.

“Our commitments remain firm,” she said. “The confirmed boost to our funding from the UK Government for 2025-26 means the Welsh Government will strengthen our NHS, cut waiting times, support schools and help communities thrive – making real differences to people’s lives.”

She also confirmed that ministers in Cardiff Bay would now review the broader implications of the Spring Statement.

“We will now thoroughly assess the Spring Statement’s implications on our future spending plans,” she added.

The Welsh Government has already faced criticism over pressures on the health service and education, with local authorities calling for more support to deal with inflationary pressures and increasing demand.

While the funding uplift is welcome, public sector leaders are warning that tough choices still lie ahead, particularly given the impact of UK-wide welfare reforms and cost-of-living challenges facing Welsh households.

The Herald understands that ministers will meet next week to begin budget planning in light of the new figures.

To add some context, here is what Gus Williams, interim CEO at Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said. He told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “As expected, there was not much in terms of new announcements in the Chancellor’s Spring Statement today. The OBR forecasts highlight economic concerns already familiar to most businesses in Wales. Inflation concerns have not yet disappeared and there are worries about business and consumer confidence.

“Infrastructure and housing falls within the remit of the Welsh Government and like the rest of the UK, Welsh businesses support the prioritisation of simplifying the planning system but are keen to see the proof of this with spades in the ground. The industrial strategy and increased defence spending we hope will have a positive impact in Wales where the manufacturing and defence industries have a significant presence. Infrastructure investments are proven to boost economic investment, and channelling more spending out of the civil service and directly into infrastructure and increasing the amount of funding available to Wales is also welcome, providing the right projects are chosen.

“It is difficult to see any significant improvement in confidence and investment driving economic growth without capital investment led by the government. The government remains bound by fiscal rules that I would argue ignore the economic impact of borrowing to fund capital investments. Part of the problem has been the lack of any robust return on investment analysis on government spending.

“Consumer confidence remains hamstrung by a two-tier economy. The success of healthcare, welfare, and employment reforms will hang on whether they manage to improve overall employment and wage growth; this will be a big test over the next 12 months. The government has been clear that this is how it expects to be judged in the long term.

“Business owners are facing significant headwinds, the full impact of which we are yet to see. The economy could break out of these headwinds but the government will need to lead the way – just cutting spending will not change much, reform needs to achieve change.

“Global trade remains the government’s other major challenge. At the moment the government is trying to balance its relationship with the US and EU and whether events will force them off the fence one way or another remains to be seen. With domestic demand static, growth may be dependent on how the global trade environment now evolves.”

From a business point of view, Lloyd Powell, head of ACCA Cymru/Wales, said: “This week’s announcements by the Chancellor are likely to be cautiously welcomed by Welsh businesses.

“Small businesses in particular will be pleased to have some breathing space on VAT, with the threshold increased slightly to £90,000. ACCA had called for this given the artificial brake on growth it represents for smaller businesses, combined with the knock-on impact to HMRC of dragging more businesses into this tax regime at a time when service levels are already at historically poor levels.  

“We welcome the commitment to further improvements to the R&D tax relief scheme, as well as plans to improve regulation in the tax advice market, to recognise the value of professional agents. 

“As well as the effects from the NI cut, VAT registration threshold increase, child benefit changes, alcohol and fuel duty freezes, the Chancellor announced that Wales will be allocated a ‘Barnett consequential’ of £170m. He also announced Levelling Up funding for Welsh projects – £10m for Venue Cymru and £5m for Newport. The Chancellor also announced a £160m deal for the UK government to purchase the site of the planned Wylfa nuclear site in North Wales. 

“The Chancellor announced the scrapping of the Furnished Holiday Lets scheme, which gives extra tax reliefs on properties being rented out to holidaymakers. There are more than 11,000 self-catering holiday lets in Wales, according to the Welsh Government’s latest list of properties paying non-domestic rates. 

“Whilst a welcome simplification to the tax system overall may boost the availability of rented accommodation locally, the removal of the short-term holiday let regime will be a blow for some. The Welsh Government has already introduced changes to make it harder for holiday lets to be exempt from council tax.”

NEIL THOMAS thought testicular cancer was something that happened later in life — until he was diagnosed at 35.

In April 2019, Neil, who was working as a teacher in Doha, Qatar, rolled over in bed after a long day at work and felt something unusual. A self-check revealed a hard lump in one of his testicles.

The next morning, the now 41-year-old from Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire, spoke to his wife Zoe, who urged him to see a doctor. An ultrasound confirmed the tumour and within a week he was in surgery to remove his left testicle.

“It was all very quick,” Neil told The Herald. “The biopsy showed it was a fast-growing cell type, so they gave me two rounds of chemotherapy as well. It was a traumatic time — for me, my wife and my family. Those first four weeks were particularly hard. I was constantly worried and struggled to process what was happening.”

Neil credits his mum — a breast cancer survivor — with encouraging him and his brother to regularly check themselves. That habit may have saved his life.

“I didn’t realise testicular cancer mainly affects younger men,” he said. “In my head, cancer was something for older people. I would advise anyone with concerns to get checked out straight away. Catching it early meant it could be treated fast and stopped from spreading.”

His experience reflects a wider lack of awareness among young men. A recent Movember survey found that 61% of men aged 16 to 40 didn’t know their age group was at risk of testicular cancer — which is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men aged 15 to 39 globally.

Despite the importance of early detection, the survey found that:

• 17% of young men feel unsure how to check their testicles
• 26% feel very confident
• 51% feel somewhat confident
• 5% have no idea at all

Worryingly, 15% of young men never check themselves, and only 20% do so once a month.

When asked why they might not go to a doctor after finding something unusual, 18% said they would be afraid it was something serious, 23% said they wouldn’t go unless there was pain, and 22% would wait until it got “really serious.” Still, 67% said they would make a doctor’s appointment if something didn’t feel normal.

This April, during Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, the global men’s health charity Movember is encouraging men to “Know Thy Nuts” — a campaign aimed at helping men get familiar with what’s normal and what to do if something feels off.

A recent survey by the charity found that 84% of men who visited Movember’s testicular health guide felt more confident performing self-checks afterwards.

Professor Simon Rice, Global Director of the Movember Institute of Men’s Health, said: “Testicular Cancer Awareness Month is about taking control of your health. The simplest action young men can take is to get to know their nuts. That way, if they notice any changes, they can see a doctor. When caught early, testicular cancer is highly treatable.”

Movember is urging men to take a few minutes this month to check themselves, learn what’s normal, and encourage others to do the same. Visit the Know Thy Nuts website to find out more.

The Herald understands that 70 men died of testicular cancer in the UK in 2019 — an average of nearly six each month. That year, the death rate was 0.2 per 100,000 men.

Movember has invested in more than 25 testicular cancer projects worldwide and has also developed its Nuts & Bolts support hub, co-designed with survivors to offer advice, resources and a sense of community.