News
£17m European project to support Welsh jobseekers
WELSH GOVERNMENT Finance Minister, Jane Hutt, has announced a £10 million EU investment for a £17 million initiative to help people affected by redundancy back into work.
The announcement of the new ReAct 3 programme, delivered by the Welsh Government, will be made during the Minister’s address to an audience of senior EU representatives, members of the European Parliament and pan- European businesses at a reception in Brussels to mark St David’s Day.
The EU investment will help support up to 8,000 people affected by or facing redundancy in West Wales and the Valleys over the next three years – adding value to the service offered by Job Centre Plus and Careers Wales. The EU funding is part of a wider package of support, including Welsh Government and private sector funding, which will enable the ReAct programme to continue to be available across Wales.
Support will be targeted at people who are prevented from securing alternative employment through a lack of skills required by recruiting employers, and will fund the training cost of acquiring those skills as well as providing assistance towards travel, childcare and accommodation.
This new ReAct 3 programme builds on the success of the previous ReAct programme. Over 27,000 job-seekers and almost 2,000 employers between 2007 and 2014 were supported through the programme, resulting in 20,000 people achieving new qualifications and over 12,000 regaining employment.
Welsh Government Finance Minister, Jane Hutt, said: ‘EU funds continue to play a vital role in strengthening the Welsh economy and improving the prospects of the labour market.
‘During the next six years Wales will benefit from nearly £2 billion of EU funds that will be specifically targeted at creating jobs, supporting business and providing opportunities for people to develop new skills and careers.
‘I’m delighted that EU funds will support the next phase of the highly successful ReAct programme, ensuring that people will receive maximum support to develop their skills and re-enter employment as quickly as possible.’
Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James, added: ‘The ReAct programme has already helped thousands of job-seekers and employers in Wales and I’m delighted that we will be able to support even more.
ReAct has a two pronged approach to addressing unemployment. It supports employers to take on people who have been made redundant and provides funds to support those looking for work after losing their job.
‘This practical approach is another example of our commitment to improving and supporting the Welsh economy.’
During her visit to Brussels, the Finance Minister will meet with senior representatives of the European Commission and attend a business lunch hosted by Swansea University to mark the progress of the new Swansea Bay innovation campus.
The University’s new Science and Innovation campus is being developed with extensive EU support including a financial package of £60 million through the European Investment Bank and £40 million in European Structural Funds, on top of a direct Welsh Government investment of £15 million.
When fully developed, the new campus will generate around £3 billion of economic impact over a 10-year period.
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
Crime
Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm
THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.
Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.
Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.
The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.
“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.
“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.
“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”
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