Business

West Wales farmer’s 5G mast rent row highlights a rural connectivity crunch

Published

1 month ago

May 18, 2025

A shock on the Carmarthenshire Farm

A FARMER from Carmarthenshire is at the centre of a growing legal storm over the UK Government’s controversial 5G rollout policy – a policy critics say is slowing progress, not speeding it up.

In 2017, ministers promised a faster, cheaper path to mobile connectivity by changing the law to let telecoms companies pay landowners far less for installing masts. But instead of unleashing 5G, the new rules have triggered a wave of legal battles – and rural Wales is bearing the brunt.

Thomas Richards from Llangennech, who agreed to host a mast in 2016 for around £5,500 a year, was stunned when the new rules allowed the telecoms company to revise their offer to just £3.50 a year.

“Negotiations were very stressful. I felt we were taken advantage of as a family,” he said. “I can’t believe the government is allowing this to happen. Who is going to want a mast on their land now?”

His case is one of more than a dozen disputes across Wales, all stemming from the 2017 reforms to the Electronic Communications Code.

Wales is now a legal hotspot for telecom disputes, with more than 14 tribunal cases since 2021. These include disputes with Cardiff International Airport, South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority, and farmers in Snowdonia and Powys.

The number of mast-related legal cases across the UK has surged from just 33 in the 30 years before the code change to more than 1,100 since 2017.

Many site owners – from farmers and churches to care homes and sports clubs – have reported rent drops of 90 percent or more, often with little say in the matter. Campaign group Protect and Connect say some landowners feel bullied and cornered.

In one case, a hill farmer in North Wales saw his annual rent slashed from £5,500 to £3.50. A park visitor centre lost £9,800 a year in mast income, damaging their ability to operate. A church in mid Wales was left scrambling to pay heating bills after its mast rent collapsed.

In response, telecom companies argue that the changes were necessary to stop landowners charging what they call ransom rents that stalled network upgrades. The UK Government insists the reforms are about making digital connectivity affordable and universal.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said it wants fairer, faster and more collaborative negotiations, and introduced the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act in 2022 to encourage dispute resolution.

But critics, including the Farmers’ Union of Wales, say the reforms have gone too far. One landowner was offered just £32 total for a 10-year lease – down from an earlier offer of £4,650 per year.

In Pembrokeshire, the battle over connectivity has a familiar ring. Residents in Tenby have been complaining about poor mobile signal for years, with tourists flooding in each summer only worsening the problem.

County Councillor Michael Williams said: “All the providers are blaming visitor numbers, but that excuse doesn’t justify the charges people are paying. It’s the same problem every year.”

One resident told The Herald he had missed hospital appointments because of poor signal. Businesses relying on card machines and mobile bookings say the network failures cost them money and reputation.

Efforts to install a 20-metre mast in Tenby to ease pressure have stalled due to planning objections within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Officials say it’s a difficult balance between connectivity and conservation.

Another controversial mast plan in the Preseli Hills was recently rejected due to its visual impact. Despite the potential to improve rural signal, inspectors upheld objections that it would harm the landscape.

In Cardiff and other urban areas, rooftop masts are also facing disputes over low renewal offers, showing this issue is not confined to the countryside.

Official Ofcom figures show Wales lags behind on mobile coverage. Only 62 percent of land area in Wales has 4G from all four major networks. In some rural constituencies, that figure drops below 50 percent. Superfast broadband access in Pembrokeshire stands at around 93 percent, still below the Welsh average.

Broadband tells a similar tale of two Waleses. Overall, about 96 percent of homes in Wales can access superfast broadband via fixed lines or wireless solutions – roughly on par with the UK average. But rural counties lag behind. Powys has the lowest superfast availability at just 84 percent of premises. Ceredigion is at 86 percent. Pembrokeshire stands around 93 percent – better, but still below the Welsh average. When it comes to future-proofed networks, the gap is starker: only 40 percent of premises in Pembrokeshire have access to full-fibre broadband so far, compared to nearly 70 percent of premises in Cardiff.

Some relief for landowners has started to arrive via the courts. In a recent case, the Upper Tribunal increased the annual rent for a greenfield mast site from £750 to £1,750, after ruling that the earlier valuation was too low. Farming unions hailed the decision, but warned it was still far below the market rates common before 2017.

Campaigners and MPs are now urging a review of the policy before new rules expand the same approach to 15,000 more sites across the UK. Legal experts warn the number of tribunal cases could double again if this happens.

Telecoms industry representatives argue that the reforms were needed to break deadlock and reduce deployment costs. They say most landowners still agree terms without dispute, and that masts are essential national infrastructure, not just commercial equipment.

But for rural communities, that message is wearing thin. Many feel they are being asked to sacrifice land, income and peace of mind – all while still waiting for improved service.

In Tenby, local plasterer Ben Jones says poor signal is costing him work. “I’ve missed bookings from clients because they couldn’t get through,” he said. “One customer said it took him five tries to make contact.”

Another resident, Paul, told The Herald he had missed hospital calls and emergency transport arrangements due to unreliable signal. “It’s ridiculous that in 2025, my phone signal is worse than it was in the 1990s,” he said.

Shops relying on mobile card machines also report frequent outages. One shop owner said: “It’s embarrassing having to explain to customers that we can’t process a payment because the network’s gone down again.”

There is growing consensus that progress on connectivity must be matched by fairness for those who host it. As the Carmarthenshire farmer put it: “I want better signal too. But not if it means giving up my land for pennies.”

Bridging the digital divide in Wales may require more than telecom towers. It may demand trust, balance, and real partnership between the countryside and the companies trying to connect it.

Business

New offshore wind action plan promises major boost for west Wales economy

Published

15 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Welsh Government aims to unlock £4.8bn opportunity for local businesses and ports

A NEW action plan from the Welsh Government aims to turn Wales’ offshore wind potential into a major economic driver — with significant benefits expected for Pembrokeshire.

The Offshore Wind Task and Finish Group Action Plan, published on Tuesday (May 24), outlines how more than 15GW of offshore wind power could be harnessed from Welsh waters — with floating wind in the Celtic Sea at the heart of the proposals.

The plan follows the recent announcement that two companies have been awarded rights to develop 3GW of floating wind farms in the Celtic Sea. The Crown Estate has also confirmed a third site will be leased, bringing the total capacity to 4.5GW.

This area lies directly off the Pembrokeshire coast, and local infrastructure — particularly the port at Milford Haven — is expected to play a key role in the rollout.

The plan includes a dedicated Welsh Ports Prospectus to highlight investment opportunities and attract large engineering contractors to anchor supply chain activity locally. With proper support, Milford Haven and Port Talbot are seen as crucial sites for manufacturing, assembly, and servicing.

Ajai Ahluwalia, Head of Supply Chain for RenewableUK, said: “Over the next decade alone, £32 billion in economic value is at stake, including a £4.8 billion opportunity for Welsh businesses and more than 3,000 skilled jobs.

“To unlock that value, we must now move swiftly from planning to delivery — and industry stands ready to work with government to make it happen.”

The action plan also calls for stronger planning frameworks, long-term leasing visibility, and a dedicated Welsh Government team to oversee delivery.

Pembrokeshire Council has previously supported renewable energy expansion at Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven, and local leaders are expected to press for further investment in skills and infrastructure to ensure the county shares fully in the benefits of the green energy transition.

Business

Mind the gap: Welsh employers and Gen Z out of sync on skills

Published

1 day ago

June 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

New report reveals Wales has the UK’s highest skills shortage – but young people are ready to step up

A MAJOR new report by The Open University has revealed a growing disconnect between Welsh employers and the next generation of workers, potentially undermining efforts to tackle the country’s persistent skills shortages.

The Business Barometer 2025: Skills for today and tomorrow surveyed over 2,000 business leaders and 1,000 Gen Z adults across the UK — including 139 employers and 80 young people under 25 in Wales. It found that 58% of Welsh organisations are currently experiencing a skills shortage — the highest of all UK nations.

Yet despite this, only 31% of those employers have specific initiatives in place to recruit, retain or train under-25s.

Gen Z ready to respond — but need support

Encouragingly, over half (54%) of young people surveyed in Wales are aware of the national skills gap and are actively considering it in their career planning:

73% are choosing careers based on areas of high demand
66% say they would stay longer with employers who offer training and development

However, the report suggests that this willingness is not being met with sufficient guidance or opportunity — especially in fast-growing areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital, and green skills.

While 58% of Welsh Gen Z respondents say they are interested or already working in AI, one in five Welsh employers report lacking confidence in their ability to deliver AI strategies due to talent shortages.

Call for action on training and inclusion

Dr Scott McKenzie, Assistant Director for Learning, Skills and Innovation at The Open University in Wales, said: “The data is clear: there’s a mismatch between employer intentions and practical action. But there’s also a real opportunity. Welsh organisations can bridge the gap by developing structured skills plans, investing in flexible learning, and opening pathways to a more diverse talent pool. Those who act now will be the ones best placed to thrive in the future.”

Baroness Martha Lane Fox CBE, Chancellor of The Open University, added: “Young people are motivated, digitally savvy and want to contribute. Employers must meet that energy with training pathways and real opportunities. Waiting for skills to arrive is no longer enough — smart organisations will build them proactively.”

Diversity still lagging behind

While 80% of Welsh employers say equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) is important to their organisation, 25% admit to having no initiatives in place for underrepresented groups such as returners, career changers, or people with disabilities and neurodivergences.

This is seen as a missed opportunity to reduce economic inactivity and broaden the talent pipeline — especially in sectors where workforce shortages are most acute.

Skills shortage set to worsen

The Business Barometer, now in its ninth year, shows the issue is far from easing. In Wales:

38% of employers expect the skills gap to worsen over the next five years
60% say shortages are increasing workloads on existing staff
43% report reduced productivity
37% have scaled back growth plans
20% fear they won’t be able to meet their AI ambitions by 2030

Yet, despite these pressures, only 36% of Welsh employers have a formal skills plan in place. And while training is proven to aid staff retention, 30% say they hesitate to invest in staff development for fear employees will leave.

Full report and recommendations available at: https://business.open.ac.uk/business-barometer

Business

Senedd election candidates challenged to double apprenticeship funding

Published

1 day ago

June 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

AN ORGANISATION representing training providers across Wales is calling on allpolitical parties and2026 Senedd election candidates to commit to doubling investment in apprenticeships to support 200,000 apprentices over the next Senedd term.

Launched today (June 24), the National Training Federation for Wales (NTFW) ‘Manifesto for Apprenticeships: Building a Skills First Economy for Wales’ seeks to “build a Wales that thrives on skills, opportunity and ambition for everyone.”

According to the Centre for Economics and Business Research, doubling the investment in apprenticeships over the next Senedd term could generate an extra £3.4 billion in additional lifetime earnings for people in Wales over the next 30 years.

“Apprenticeships are not just a pathway to employment; they are the backbone of a prosperous Welsh economy, equipping people across all backgrounds with hands-on skills tailored to the needs of our industries,” says the NTFW manifesto.

“Investing in apprenticeships is an investment in people and in the future of Wales. With fair funding, inclusive access and strong partnerships, apprenticeships can help power a more equal, skilled and resilient nation.

“NTFW urges all Senedd candidates and political parties to commit to this vision. Let’s build a Wales that thrives on skills, opportunity and ambition for everyone.”

Collaboration is a key word throughout the manifesto, as the NTFW seeks to work in partnership with the Welsh Government, Medr, training providers, employers, learners, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

“By collaborating closely with Medr, we can ensure apprenticeship programmes are responsive, innovative and aligned with emerging industry needs,” states the manifesto.

“By working together, we can shape apprenticeship programmes that directly address skills gaps, boost productivity and support economic diversification.”

The NTFW commits to providing equal access to qualifications delivered through the medium of Welsh or bilingually and calls on the next Welsh Government to prioritise mental health and wellbeing support services for apprentices.

The manifesto calls on the next Welsh Government to restore money cut from the apprenticeship budget last year and tointroduce long-term, sustainable funding that offers equity with other forms of post-16 education.

It says apprenticeships must be placed at the heart of government policy and calls for a vocational skills strategy, developed in partnership with providers, to determine what is needed to maximise opportunities.

The manifesto also calls for:

a skills system that speaks to the aspirations of a Welsh economy.
people of all ages and backgrounds to be able to retrain or upskill through apprenticeships, driving social mobility and inclusive growth.
increased funding for apprenticeships in growing sectors, such as green energy, digital innovation and healthcare, to future-proof Wales’s workforce.
Apprenticeship opportunities in every part of Wales to support local economies, reduce inequalities and empower communities.

Speakers at the launch, held at St. David’s Hotel, Cardiff Bay, were NTFW chair John Nash, strategic director Lisa Mytton, FSB Head of Wales, Ben Cottam, Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol chief executive, Ioan Matthews, and Cavendish Cymru director Nerys Evans.

Lisa Mytton, NTFW strategic director, said: “We have launched this manifesto to set out what we expect an incoming Welsh Government to prioritise in their policies and skills strategy to boost the economy of Wales.

“Our mandate to the next government is to ensure that increased investment is available for apprenticeships. We are seeking that commitment from all candidates running for the next Senedd election.”

John Nash, chairman of NTFW, added: “This is an unprecedented moment. We have created an ambitious Manifesto for Apprenticeships that should be essential reading for every Senedd candidate.

“We are seeking a commitment from all political parties that apprenticeships will be at the heart of future Wesh Government policies to grow a prosperous and resilient Welsh economy with a highly skilled workforce.”

Picture caption:

NTFW wants investment in apprenticeships to double to support 200,000 apprentices over the next Senedd term.