Business

More bad news for Welsh jobs

Published

10 years ago

January 6, 2015

Stephen Crabb MP: “these figures show there’s no room for complacency”

UK unemployment figures released this week show another fall in the last three months. The total figure stands at 1.96 million, showing a fall of 63,000 in the quarter to the end of October. It also showed the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance had also fallen by 26,900 to 900,100. The figures come from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). However, jobless figures in Wales showed a rise of 8,000, making Wales the UK country with the greatest rise in unemployment.

Welsh Secretary for State, Stephen Crabb MP, said of the pattern of a fall in unemployment that it was, ‘a positive long term trend but these figures show there’s no room for complacency.’ Responding to the figures, a Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Unemployment in Wales is lower than at the same time last year, while youth unemployment is still falling faster in Wales than in the UK. “Employment in Wales remains well above its historic average and claimant count is at its lowest rate since 2008.

When these figures are considered alongside other key economic indicators, such as the largest increase in GVA per head in the UK and record inward investment, it is clear that our policies are making a difference, supporting jobs and growth right across Wales.” However, Assembly Shadow Minister for Business, Conservative AM William Graham, said: “With the UK set to be the fastest growing economy in the G7 and the UK unemployment rate falling again, there is still more that Welsh Labour ministers must do to ensure Wales benefits.

Labour has a number of economic levers at its disposal here and its Government must work in close partnership with UK colleagues.” Plaid Cymru Shadow Economy Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth, expressed alarm at Wales’ position in the UK, saying: “The new employment figures suggest a sudden and negative reversal in our economic fortunes. “The Welsh economy has been making progress recently when it comes to creating more private sector jobs.

By 2013 the economy had created 75,000 new jobs, and Welsh GVA growth was the quickest per head in the United Kingdom. “But in 2014 we appear to have lost about 41,000 jobs, which will probably make a big dent in the GVA figures for this year and see us fall further behind. “Plaid Cymru has always been clear that Wales does have the potential to outperform the UK. What we need now is for the Welsh and UK Governments to come up with an explanation for this sudden and sharp reversal in our employment figures.”

Business

Cardigan shop wins St David’s Day competition

Published

2 hours ago

March 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CARDIGAN Curiosities has won the St David’s Day shop window award for the Cardigan division, an accolade presented by Menter Iaith Ceredigion.

High Street businesses and Guildhall shops embraced the festivities, decorating their windows in a vibrant display to celebrate the national day of Wales and the arrival of spring. The event, which highlighted the Welsh language, saw enthusiastic participation from across Ceredigion.

To mark the occasion and show appreciation for the community, Cardigan Curiosities is offering the chance to win an exclusive piece of local artwork. The prize is a one-of-a-kind watercolour painting of the nave of St David’s Cathedral, created by a Pembrokeshire artist. The framed artwork measures 74×95 cm.

To enter the competition, participants must:

Visit the Cardigan Curiosities Facebook or Instagram page
Like the competition post
Comment with their favourite Welsh word

The winner will be drawn on March 20 by “Ddraig Goch” from inside a dragon egg, with the announcement made that evening on social media.

For those interested in viewing the artwork or the decorated shop window, Cardigan Curiosities is located at 32A Cardigan High Street and is open Thursday to Sunday, from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

Business

Calling all creatives, join this month’s advice and networking drop-in!

Published

2 days ago

March 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CREATIVE WEST WALES and Pembrokeshire’s Business Team will join forces at a drop in session this month to celebrate and support the region’s amazing creative industries.

Established companies, freelancers or those considering a new start-up, are invited to visit the Bridge Innovation Centre, Pembroke Dock on Friday, 28^th March, 9am to 12pm to find out what business support is available from a range of organisations including Pembrokeshire County Council, Business Wales, FSB and Visit Pembrokeshire.

A networking session will offer a chance to meet fellow creatives, explore potential collaborations, and meet representatives from Yr Egin, Creative Wales and the Creative West Wales Network to find out more about assistance available for talented people in the West Wales area, especially those in the music, screen, gaming, publishing and animation sectors.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Creative Industries Officer Anwen Baldwin said: “There is a wealth of creative talent in this area which should be celebrated and supported.

“We host a popular Business Drop In event on the last Friday of each month. It’s great to be able to focus on the creative industries this month and offer an opportunity to find out more about what support is available, discuss challenges and network with other local people from these sectors.”

If you would like to showcase your work during this event please email [email protected]

Refreshments available, register via Eventbrite Digwyddiad Galw Heibio i Fusnesau / Drop In Business Support & Networking Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Business

Launch of Celtic Freeport ‘vital’ for economic growth and clean energy

Published

2 days ago

March 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CELTIC FREEPORT AT MILFORD HAVEN AND PORT TALBOT TO DRIVE UK ECONOMIC GROWTH MISSION

THE CELTIC FREEPORT has been officially launched, bringing significant inward investment to South West Wales and taking a major step towards creating thousands of new jobs, the Welsh Government announced this week.

It also re-affirmed its commitment to £26 million of UK Government investment.

The freeport, covering the ports of Milford Haven and Port Talbot, is set to play a crucial role in the UK’s clean energy future. It spans multiple industries, including clean energy developments, fuel terminals, power generation, heavy engineering, and the steel sector.

Businesses operating within the freeport area will benefit from substantial UK and Welsh Government tax breaks and customs exemptions to encourage investment. The initiative is expected to attract £8.4 billion in private and public investment, generate 11,500 new jobs, and contribute £8.1 billion in economic value (GVA) to the region.

The freeport was launched at an event in Cardiff, attended by Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens and Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning.

***Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens on a visit to Associated British Ports at Port Talbot***

“Significant step towards a renewable energy superpower”

Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales, said: “This Government has a Plan for Change focused on delivering economic growth and ensuring the UK becomes a renewable energy superpower. This announcement is a significant step towards achieving those ambitions.

“The Celtic Freeport will create up to 11,500 well-paid, highly skilled jobs and could leverage up to £8.4 billion in investment.

“The UK Government has committed £26 million to the freeport, alongside significant incentives from both the UK and Welsh Governments. I am very pleased to see two governments working in partnership to deliver for the people of Wales.”*

“A vital cog in the UK’s low-carbon economy”

Rebecca Evans, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, said: “The official opening of the Celtic Freeport sends another clear signal to the world that the industrial heartlands of South Wales are a vital cog in the UK’s low-carbon economy.

“We are already seeing real enthusiasm across the region and beyond to capitalise on the skills and job opportunities that this new industrial age will provide. The Welsh Government will be at Celtic’s side, offering major tax reliefs to attract business investment.

“The Freeport will also be able to use future non-domestic rates revenues to fund vital infrastructure and skills projects, benefiting Port Talbot and Milford Haven for generations to come.”

Freeport projects already making progress

Following the successful launch, Luciana Ciubotariu, CEO of Celtic Freeport, highlighted the rapid progress of key projects: “The Celtic Freeport is making significant strides forward with milestones such as planning consents for LanzaTech’s sustainable aviation fuel production plants, RWE’s Pembroke Green Hydrogen plant, and the launch of the Milford Haven CO₂ Project.

“Other major developments include H2 Energy and Trafigura’s West Wales Hydrogen project securing a hydrogen CfD, Haush establishing a green energy HQ, and the approval of wind turbine developments to expand Dragon Energy’s Renewables Park.

“These initiatives, alongside investments in battery energy storage by RWE and port infrastructure at Port Talbot, are accelerating South Wales’ reindustrialisation and driving a decarbonised economy rich in evolving and new industries.”

A cleaner, greener future

The Celtic Freeport aims to establish a green investment and innovation corridor, driving inward investment, skills development, and national decarbonisation. Key focus areas include:

Floating offshore wind (FLOW) in the Celtic Sea
Hydrogen economy and sustainable fuels
Carbon capture and storage
Cleaner steel production
Low-carbon logistics

As one of 12 Freeports across the UK, the Celtic Freeport will play a pivotal role in the UK Government’s Growth Mission, supporting the transition to green industries and creating thousands of high-quality jobs for local communities.

(Cover image: Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens – Speaking at the Celtic Freeport event in Cardiff)