Business

JLR cyber-attack sparks fears for Welsh supply chain

Published

4 months ago

September 28, 2025

MPs warn £1.5bn loan may not be enough as Pontypool factory exposed

JAGUAR Land Rover’s cyber-attack shutdown is continuing to reverberate across the UK, with warnings that suppliers could collapse within days if emergency support is not distributed quickly.

Production at JLR’s major UK plants in Solihull, Wolverhampton and Halewood has been suspended for nearly a month, and is not expected to restart until at least 1 October. The disruption follows a major cyber-attack which forced the carmaker to shut down its global IT systems in late August.

The UK Government has stepped in with a £1.5bn loan guarantee to protect JLR and its 100,000-strong supply chain, but MPs say the package may not be enough. Liam Byrne, chair of the Commons Business and Trade Select Committee, said: “I don’t think we can rule out further intervention. It could well be that something like a Covid-style loan is needed for some suppliers.”

Welsh jobs in the balance

In Wales, the spotlight has fallen on ZF Automotive in Pontypool, Torfaen, which supplies brake callipers to JLR. The company, which employs more than 60 people, recently secured Welsh Government backing to upgrade its production line to meet JLR’s requirements.

That investment — and the jobs it supports — could now be at risk if orders dry up. Any further delay in restarting production would have immediate knock-on effects for firms like ZF and the smaller subcontractors which feed into the automotive chain.

Industry experts have warned that some suppliers are already “on the brink”, with bills due at the end of the month and little cash left to cover them.

Calls for clarity

While the loan is intended to protect jobs, there are growing questions about whether support will reach suppliers further down the chain. Professor David Bailey, a business economist at the University of Birmingham, called the situation “a complete wake-up call” for UK industry.

Trade bodies have echoed those concerns. Steve Morley, of the Confederation of British Metalforming, said speed was essential: “If we can make sure this funding gets distributed quickly, we have a great opportunity to protect the UK automotive supply chain. However, speed is of the essence.”

Welsh politicians are now expected to press both Westminster and Cardiff Bay for assurances that factories in Wales will not be left behind.

Wake-up call for business

The attack on JLR follows similar incidents at M&S and Co-op this year, and MPs have warned that the UK’s economic security regime is “no longer fit for purpose”.

Mr Byrne said: “Unless you remake the way the government and the private sector work together to keep our economic infrastructure safe, then we’re going to be vulnerable to the kind of attacks that have taken down JLR and M&S much more frequently in the future.”

For Wales, the concern is not only national security but also the stability of a manufacturing base that has already been under pressure. For workers in Pontypool and beyond, the immediate question is whether the promised support will arrive in time.

Business

Councillor condemns closure of Haverfordwest Santander branch

Published

2 hours ago

January 29, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE councillor has spoken out after learning that the Santander branch in Haverfordwest is set to close later this year, warning the decision will have a serious impact on local residents, families and businesses.

The bank’s Bridge Street branch is due to close on Monday (May 5) as part of a wider UK restructuring programme.

Councillor Thomas Baden Tudor said he was “lost for words” and urged the bank to reconsider, describing the closure as devastating for customers who rely on face-to-face services.

Santander says the decision is driven by declining footfall, with more customers banking online, and that services will remain available via digital platforms and Post Office counters.

However, the announcement follows a steady erosion of high-street banking in Pembrokeshire. The Herald recently reported that Haverfordwest’s former Halifax branch is set to reopen as a nail salon.

In what appears to be a serious failure of planning, there is now not a single bank branch left anywhere in south Pembrokeshire. Towns including Tenby, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock are all without face-to-face banking facilities.

North Pembrokeshire has also been affected, with Fishguard and St Davids now lacking bank branches.

Pembrokeshire is understood to be left with just four bank branches in total — Nationwide in Milford Haven, and HSBC, NatWest and Lloyds Bank in Haverfordwest.

Business

Bluestone celebrates King’s Award for Enterprise at official ceremony

Published

19 hours ago

January 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Pembrokeshire resort recognised as UK leader in sustainable tourism

BLUESTONE NATIONAL PARK RESORT has formally received The King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development, marking a major milestone for the Pembrokeshire-based resort.

The prestigious honour — the UK’s highest business award — was presented during an official ceremony at Bluestone’s Serendome by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed, Miss Sara Edwards. It recognises Bluestone as the first holiday resort in the country to receive the award for sustainable development.

During the visit, the Lord-Lieutenant met founder and chief executive William McNamara, director of sustainability Marten Lewis, staff members and invited guests, while also learning more about the resort’s long-term environmental strategy and its relationship with the local community.

The award follows an extensive assessment of Bluestone’s environmental, social and economic performance. Judges highlighted major progress in reducing carbon emissions, the resort’s move to a fossil-fuel-free operation for all purchased energy — a first for a UK holiday park — and its adoption of circular economy principles. Bluestone was also praised for its support for the local economy, its work to protect and enhance wildlife, and an internal culture where sustainability is shared across the organisation. Around thirty per cent of the business is staff-owned.

Speaking at the ceremony, Miss Edwards said: “It was a great pleasure to present Bluestone with The King’s Award for Enterprise and to see first-hand the work they are doing. The team’s passion for sustainability and their commitment to protecting the local area in Pembrokeshire shone through during my visit. Bluestone’s work is having a positive and lasting impact, and they should be extremely proud of what they have achieved.”

The recognition comes at a time when the tourism sector is under increasing pressure to balance growth with environmental protection, as travellers place greater emphasis on sustainable destinations.

Marten Lewis, who has led Bluestone’s sustainability strategy, has been central to developing what the resort describes as its “operational blueprint” — combining environmental protection, community partnerships and local economic support. He has also represented Bluestone nationally and was recently congratulated in person by King Charles III at a reception for King’s Award recipients.

Reflecting on the achievement, Mr Lewis said sustainability was fundamental to the way the resort operates. He added that the award recognised years of collective effort across the business and would act as a powerful incentive to continue pushing standards higher.

Chief executive William McNamara said the award reflected a long-standing commitment to responsible tourism. He said that as travel continues to evolve, businesses have a growing duty to protect the places people come to enjoy, adding that national recognition of Bluestone’s approach was a moment of pride for the entire team.

Formerly known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, the programme was renamed following the accession of King Charles III. Since its launch in 1965, more than 8,000 UK businesses have been recognised for outstanding achievement.

Business

Final wind turbine deliveries completed after months of disruption

Published

20 hours ago

January 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Last major component reaches site as Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy thank communities for patience

DRAGON LNG and Dragon Energy have confirmed that the final large component for a new wind turbine project has now been successfully delivered, bringing months of complex abnormal load movements on Pembrokeshire roads to an end.

The companies said the final turbine blade was delivered to the site on Wednesday (Jan 28, 2026), marking the completion of all major component deliveries associated with the project.

In a statement, Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy thanked the local community for its patience and cooperation throughout the delivery programme, acknowledging that the operation caused disruption on local roads.

Residents across parts of the county have previously experienced temporary road closures, traffic delays and police escorts as oversized turbine components were transported from the Port of Milford Haven to the site under tightly controlled conditions.

The abnormal load movements required months of detailed planning and coordination, involving route surveys, traffic management, police support and liaison with local authorities to ensure deliveries were carried out safely and with minimal disruption wherever possible.

The companies also apologised for the inconvenience caused during the delivery phase, saying the support and understanding shown by residents had been “invaluable” in allowing the project to reach this milestone.

A number of organisations were involved in supporting the operation, including Pembrokeshire County Council, Dyfed-Powys Police, haulage specialists Collett & Sons Ltd and Green Light Traffic Management.

Local media outlets, including The Pembrokeshire Herald, provided advance notice and updates during the delivery process to help keep residents informed.

With the final major deliveries now complete, Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy said the project would continue to progress to the next phase of construction on site.