New three-year development plan aims to increase the use and visibility of Welsh across the company’s services and workplace

WALES & WEST UTILITIES has launched a new Welsh Language Development Plan as part of a renewed commitment to supporting and promoting the language.

Announced ahead of the National Eisteddfod, the three-year plan sets out practical measures aimed at embedding Welsh more widely across the company’s operations.

The gas emergency and pipeline service has also refreshed its existing Welsh Language Scheme.

Both documents were developed in collaboration with the Welsh Language Commissioner’s office and are intended to improve services for Welsh-speaking customers, communities, employees and other stakeholders.

Planned measures include increasing the visibility of Welsh across company communications, helping employees use more Welsh in the workplace and ensuring the language continues to be considered when services are planned and delivered.

Gwyn Thomas, Senior Communication and Customer Manager at Wales & West Utilities, said: “The Welsh language is a vital part of Wales’s identity and culture and, as the company which operates the gas distribution network across Wales, we are proud to play our part in supporting its continued growth.

“We have worked in partnership with the Welsh Language Commissioner’s office to co-create our Development Plan and update our Welsh Language Scheme, demonstrating our long-term commitment to ensuring Welsh is valued throughout our organisation.”

The company said the updated scheme and development plan build on its existing bilingual working practices and its ambition to improve the experience of Welsh-speaking customers and employees.

Mr Thomas added: “Our teams have worked hard to get to this point and, now that we have these tools in place, we will continue to review progress against the development plan, ensuring Welsh remains an integral part of our culture.”

Welsh Language Commissioner Efa Gruffudd Jones welcomed the announcement.

She said: “I welcome Wales & West Utilities’ dedication to strengthening its Welsh-language provision.

“This development plan demonstrates a clear commitment to ensuring the Welsh language becomes a valuable part of the services the company provides. I look forward to seeing its positive impact on the availability and use of Welsh-language services in the future.”

Wales & West Utilities operates the gas distribution network across Wales and the south-west of England, transporting energy to more than 7.5 million people through around 35,000 kilometres of underground pipes.

Anyone who smells gas or suspects carbon monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency number immediately on 0800 111 999. Engineers are available 24 hours a day.

New research suggests 58% of eligible sole traders in Wales still have work to do ahead of the first Making Tax Digital quarterly reporting deadline on August 7.

THREE in five sole traders in Wales are not fully prepared for a major change to the way they report their income and expenses to HM Revenue and Customs, according to new research.

A survey commissioned by Lloyds found that 58% of Welsh respondents still had work to do before they were ready to comply with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.

The figure was slightly higher than the UK-wide result, where 55% of those surveyed said they were not yet fully prepared.

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax became mandatory in April for sole traders and landlords with qualifying annual income of more than £50,000.

Those covered by the rules must keep digital records and use compatible software to provide HMRC with quarterly summaries of their income and expenses.

The deadline for the first quarterly update is Friday, August 7.

Nathan Morgan, Area Director for Wales at Lloyds, said: “Making Tax Digital represents one of the biggest administrative changes many sole traders will have experienced for years.

“Our research suggests that while businesses recognise the benefits of digital record-keeping, many are still working through what they need to do before the first submission deadline.

“With small business owners already balancing multiple demands on their time, simplicity matters.

“That is why we have built HMRC-recognised Making Tax Digital for Income Tax functionality directly into eligible Lloyds Business Accounts at no extra cost, helping customers manage tax administration alongside their everyday banking.”

Despite the concerns over preparedness, some Welsh sole traders said the new system had already brought benefits.

Among those preparing for the first update, 41% said digital tax management had helped them become more organised, while 16% said it had reduced the stress associated with completing tax work at the last minute.

More than three quarters of respondents in Wales, 79%, said they would find it useful to manage tax records, deadlines and administration through their banking app or online banking.

Lloyds has integrated Making Tax Digital software into its business banking service. The tool allows customers to maintain digital records, categorise income and expenses, save receipts and prepare quarterly updates.

The qualifying income threshold will fall to more than £30,000 from April 2027 and more than £20,000 from April 2028.

The Lloyds research was conducted by Censuswide among 1,000 UK sole traders with income of at least £50,000 between June 29 and July 6. Landlords were not included in the survey.

New High Street venue combines ice cream, coffee, event tickets and local radio under one roof

A NEW community-focused ice cream parlour and events hub has opened its doors in the centre of Haverfordwest.

Pure West Parlour welcomed its first customers during a successful “Soft Scoop Launch” on Friday, July 24, and will now open from 10am until 4pm, Monday to Saturday.

The new venue, located at 2 High Street, next door to Pure West Radio’s headquarters, has been designed as more than a traditional ice cream parlour.

Alongside refreshments, visitors will be able to purchase tickets for local events, browse Pure West Radio merchandise, learn about upcoming projects and speak directly with members of the station’s team.

An official launch party will take place from 10am on Monday, August 3, with members of the public invited to meet the team and celebrate the new venture.

To mark the occasion, every visitor arriving during the first hour, between 10am and 11am, will receive a free scoop of Mario’s Ice Cream.

The opening ceremony was led by the Mayor of Haverfordwest, Cllr Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner.

He was joined by Sheriff Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner, Deputy Mayor Cllr Adam Benson-Davies and Deputy Mayoress Alex Dare.

The civic party wished the Pure West team every success and welcomed the parlour as another positive investment in Haverfordwest town centre.

Also attending was Pat Swales, proprietor of the former Swales Music Centre, which occupied the building for many years.

Her presence provided a nostalgic link to the property’s past, as one well-known local business effectively passed the baton to another.

Pure West Parlour will serve Mario’s Ice Cream alongside freshly prepared barista coffee, iced coffee, smoothies, milkshakes, frappés and a range of cold drinks.

Bubble tea and sundaes are expected to be added to the menu shortly.

The venue will also feature vending machines, exclusive Pure West merchandise and a selection of unusual and trending products.

It will serve as an official box office for many events promoted or delivered by Pure West Radio and its partners, giving customers a central location to purchase tickets and find out what is happening across Pembrokeshire.

Pure West Radio said the parlour represented another significant investment in Haverfordwest and reflected its commitment to supporting local businesses, organisations and community events.

The station hopes the venue will become a welcoming space where residents and visitors can enjoy refreshments, discover local events and learn more about the work of Pembrokeshire’s hyper-local radio service.

Pure West Parlour is open from Monday to Saturday, between 10am and 4pm, at 2 High Street, Haverfordwest, SA61 2DJ.

The official launch party begins at 10am on Monday, August 3.