Business

Early pay a hindrance at Christmas, survey reveals

Published

10 years ago

January 5, 2015

EMPLOYERS may have the best of intentions paying December wages early; however, eight out of 10 of Brits (81%) find this gesture of goodwill to be a hindrance not a help when it comes to their festive finances, and more than half (53%) of those paid earlier than usual in December struggle to meet their bills by mid-January. This is according to independent research announced this month by global information services company, Experian. More than a third (35%) of those surveyed over-spend at Christmas by an average of £207. And the research suggests that some of this over-spending may be a result of hidden costs prompting funds to be stretched to the limit. A quarter of people spend more than planned on food and drink (24%), heating and fuel (15%), Christmas cards and gift wrap (9%) and other hidden extras, such as batteries and chargers (12%), over the holidays. However, when it comes to looking at who the nation’s biggest festive overspenders are, 18 – 24-year-olds are top of the table.

This group over-spends by £589 at Christmas, compared to an average of £207 – suggesting the younger generation may be favouring generosity above prudence when it comes to their Christmas spending. When January comes around, half (49%) dip into their savings to cover the shortfall, and more than a third (36%) choose to use credit. However, among 18 – 24-year-olds, the trend is reversed, with a third (35%) dipping into savings and 45% using credit to bridge the gap and get them through until payday.

In a period when many of these young people are starting to build their credit profiles, it’s important that these younger spenders understand how financial decisions they make now might affect them in the future. Julie Doleman, Managing Director, Experian Consumer, commented: “Our findings today demonstrate the importance of budgeting; not just to cover the Christmas period, but right up until the end of January and beyond.

It’s easy to over-spend at Christmas, so it’s important to understand how your financial decisions can affect you in the long-run, especially if you plan on using credit to cover a shortfall in January. “Starting off on the right foot will help you get the most out of your New Year right from the beginning, allowing you to make progress towards achieving your goal – whether that’s saving for a big purchase or life event, or simply getting your finances under control.” Here are five simple tips from Experian to help people manage their spending over the Christmas period and get 2015 off to a bright start: 1. Brilliant Budgeting: Even if you’re doing it last minute, sit down and take stock of your finances in advance.

Make a realistic budget that covers everything from Christmas presents to January utility bills to bring you comfortably into the New Year until your next paycheque hits your bank account. 2. Understanding Overspending: The final weeks in the lead-up to Christmas are when you are most likely to lose sight of your budget. Be conscious of purchases such as food and fuel and hidden extras, which can build up quickly, leaving you with an unpleasant start to the New Year dealing with unexpected costs hidden in your festive spending. 3.

Use Credit Wisely: If you do use credit to spread the cost of Christmas, consider your options – for example, if you’re unlikely to be able to repay more than the minimum repayments in the New Year, it makes sense to use a 0% credit card rather than a store card or other credit card with a higher limit. 4. Know your limits: Try to use less than 25% of your credit limit on all of your cards – both individually and collectively. Keeping to within 25% of your limit will show lenders that you are not overly-reliant on credit and can manage your finances.

Business

Wolfscastle Country Hotel crowned Wales’ best boutique wedding venue

Published

4 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa has been named Wales’ Best Boutique Wedding Venue for 2024 at the prestigious Welsh National Wedding Awards.

The ceremony, held on Sunday (Nov 10) at Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall, welcomed more than 600 guests for its 13th annual celebration. Thousands of votes were cast by brides, grooms, and supporters to determine the winners from over 300 shortlisted nominees.

Double victory

The Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa not only won the regional title for west Wales but also secured the national accolade for the second time in three years.

Known for its glamorous reception spaces and elegant ceremony room, the hotel offers a comprehensive bridal package. This includes wedding accommodation and a private spa experience featuring a hot tub, sauna, and various treatments.

Celebrating success

Taking to social media, the hotel expressed gratitude to its guests and staff for their role in achieving this prestigious honour.

Hotel owner Andy Stirling said:
“We’re very proud to have been nominated and voted winners in both our local and national categories.

“I have the pleasure of seeing how tirelessly Lowri, and my wife Mandy Stirling, our wedding coordinators, work on every wedding to tailor the experience to suit the couples we have joining us.

“We pride ourselves on offering exquisite in-house catering provided by head chef Seb, head pastry chef Adama, and our excellent kitchen team, backed up by first-class table service from our highly experienced waiting staff.

“I am overwhelmingly grateful for the support of our guests and couples who have wedded with us in helping achieve this award.

“I know that myself and the team all look forward to hosting many more phenomenal weddings in the future.”

Welsh National Wedding Awards

The awards celebrate the best wedding venues and services across Wales, with attendees from all regions of the country.

***Celebrations: Andy and Mandy Stirling with wedding co-ordinator Lowri Nicholas (Pic: Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa)***

Business

Upgrades completed at Port of Milford Haven’s simulator suite

Published

3 days ago

November 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

UPGRADES have been completed to state-of-the-art equipment within the Port of Milford Haven’s navigation simulator suite at Milford Waterfront enabling marine professionals to receive bespoke specialist training. The virtual reality simulation system can safely replicate a range of scenarios that seafarers may experience in real world situations such as extreme weather conditions, emergency situations and escort tug work.

The upgrades provided by Netherlands-based company MARIN contain the latest hardware in terms of processing power and graphics, as well as upgrades to MARIN’s ‘Dolphin’ software, increasing the capability to create scenarios. These are complemented with new 4k visuals on 75” screens which increase the depth and field of vision, adding to the realism.

Recently, a training day was led by Training Pilot Captain Mark Johnson, assisted by ex-Pilot Andy Hillier, involving members of the Svitzer team as well as Pilots Matt Roberts and Ian Coombes. As part of the scenario, they were faced with a loss of engine power and steering along with worsening weather and sea conditions. The Pilots had to communicate with Svitzer in order to successfully instruct them on how to tow and direct a drifting tanker. While scenarios like these are uncommon within port operations, it is important to rehearse procedures that would be implemented if they are required and enhances participants’ skill sets.

Marine Pilot and Simulator Instructor, Captain Ewan McNicoll, said “This simulator suite has future proofed our training capabilities, both internally for Pilots and marine staff, but also externally for clients wishing to use the facility, be it for training purposes or research and development. We can create any type of scenario with any type of ship, ranging from practicing ship handling manoeuvres to emergency situations, it really is game changing! Working with our partners at MARIN has been a complete success and I am very proud of our new facility.”

For more information about training at the navigation simulation suite please contact the Port of Milford Haven at [email protected] or 01646 696100.

Business

Thousands of homes in rural Wales gain from faster 4G boost

Published

3 days ago

November 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

RURAL Wales is seeing a major upgrade in mobile connectivity, with faster 4G now live in several areas. Seven locations across North, South West, and West Wales are benefitting from new 4G mast upgrades funded by the UK Government’s Shared Rural Network (SRN), aimed at closing the digital gap between rural and urban areas.

The upgrades, which went live on Thursday (Nov 14), bring improved 4G coverage to communities including Bontddu, Llanelltyd, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Penmaenpool, Tabor, Snowdonia National Park, and Bontgoch. Local businesses, emergency services, and residents are expected to benefit from faster internet access, which supports daily communication, business opportunities, and economic growth.

***There is a £170 million agreement with Openreach to provide gigabit-capable broadband to 70,000 remote Welsh properties***

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: “Fast, reliable connectivity is essential for modern life and should be available from Cardiff to the remotest parts of Wales. Today’s upgrades bring us closer to making this a reality.”

SUPPORTING DIGITAL INCLUSION

As part of the rollout, Peter Kyle and Telecoms Minister Sir Chris Bryant visited Ebbw Vale to discuss digital inclusion with charity and industry leaders. They met with representatives at BGfm, a digital inclusion hub in Blaenau Gwent, to learn about how connectivity impacts daily life in Welsh communities.

Telecoms Minister Bryant said: “We are working tirelessly to make sure rural communities aren’t left behind online.

“These upgrades mean businesses can now operate without connectivity limitations, 999 services are better equipped to respond, and residents and tourists can stay connected across the Welsh countryside.”

ADDRESSING CONNECTIVITY GAPS

An estimated 1.5 million homes across the UK remain without internet access, limiting people’s ability to access essential services such as banking and healthcare. In addition to the SRN upgrades, the Chancellor has allocated over £500 million in next year’s budget for digital infrastructure expansion, targeting these underserved areas.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens highlighted the importance of this investment, particularly for rural Wales, where fast, reliable internet can be transformative.

“Connectivity is critical for day-to-day life in rural areas – from supporting local businesses to ensuring emergency services are just a call away,” Stevens said.

The upgraded masts, previously limited to EE customers and emergency 999 calls, now serve a wider user base, bringing essential internet access to more people without requiring new infrastructure.

Ben Roome, CEO of Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited, said: “With the activation of five new SRN sites, Wales is seeing the tangible benefits of the Shared Rural Network, bringing crucial connectivity to rural communities.”

GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN REMOTE WALES

The improvements come alongside a £170 million agreement with Openreach to provide gigabit-capable broadband to 70,000 remote Welsh properties, helping future-proof digital access in even the most isolated locations.

The latest upgrades mark another step in the Government’s mission to improve mobile coverage and close the connectivity gap across Wales, creating opportunities and supporting economic growth across rural communities.