Business

BT boosts Welsh economy ‘by £575m’

Published

9 years ago

November 19, 2015

Tom Sinclair

BT Employee: One of 2950 BT employs in Wales

BT generated a massive £575 m for the Welsh economy in the past year – a £35 m increase on just two years ago, according to an independent report published on Wednesday (Nov 4).

The report, by Regeneris Consulting, also shows that the communications company supports 7,520 jobs in Wales through direct employment, it’s spending with contractors and suppliers and the spending of employees.

In employment terms, BT’s impact in 2014-15 was larger than the country’s creative and media sector. Around £213 m was spent with local suppliers.

The overall beneficial financial impact of BT activities is expressed as a “Gross Value Added” (GVA)* contribution. For Wales the BT GVA totalled £575million – equivalent to £1 in every £90 of the total GVA for Wales.

Tim Fanning, associate director at Regeneris Consulting, said: “Our analysis confirms the sheer scale and reach of BT’s ongoing economic contribution to Wales and the UK as a whole.

“BT makes a contribution to every community across the UK. At the UK level, £1 in £80 of wealth created is attributable to BT – this is one of the single largest contributions to the UK economy by any firm.”

Alwen Williams, BT’s regional director for Wales, said: “There are few organisations in Wales that have a larger impact on the day-to-day life and future prospects of the country than BT.

“We are one of the largest private sector employers and investors in Wales – our investment in fibre broadband in Wales alone amounts to hundreds of millions of pounds – and the services that we provide are a vital part of every community.

“The facts and figures shown in this report highlight the full extent of BT’s contribution to the local economy as we go about the daily business of keeping people connected and introducing new technologies, which are creating fresh opportunities and transforming lives.

“Aside from the company’s activities, the report also draws attention to the positive ways BT people are contributing to the communities where they live and work, whether they are a volunteer for a worthy cause or a local shopper.”

‘Social Study 2015 – The Economic Impact of BT in the United Kingdom’ analyses the key role BT and its employees play in economic, business and community life across the English regions, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It highlights the positive contributions made by BT through the salaries and wages of employees and contractors, and the beneficial impact of its procurement and overall expenditure around the UK.

The report highlights that BT in Wales:

Is responsible for the employment of 2,950 people – 2,790 direct employees and 164 contractors – with a total employment income of £94 m;
Provides work for a further 4,570 people through BT’s spending with businesses that supply its equipment and services, and the spending of employees;
Committed more than £1 m to community, charity and voluntary programmes, spread around many regional communities in 2014/15;
Has enabled more than three-quarters – 77 % – of its employees to work flexibly.

BT is investing more than £3 billion in the roll-out of fibre broadband in the UK through its own commercial programme and by working with the Government and local authorities in broadband partnerships to extend next generation broadband even more widely – especially to more rural and remote communities.

In Wales, BT is the major private sector partner in Superfast Cymru. Through this partnership and the company’s commercial roll-out, BT has already made fibre broadband available to more than 1.2 million Welsh homes and businesses – and this number is continuing to grow rapidly.

The report also highlights how BT is consistently one of the country’s leading investors in innovation with spending on research and development in the 2014/15 financial year reaching £50 m. Among the latest developments, the company has started trials in Swansea of ultrafast G.fast broadband, which is already delivering download speeds up to 330 megabits per second (Mbps).

This new technology will be rolled out to 10 million UK homes and businesses by the end of 2020 and the majority of premises within a decade.

Volunteering is also a core element of BT’s strategy. Last year, BT people in Wales contributed 2,416 volunteering days to worthy causes, amounting to in-kind support of nearly £750,000. Across the UK, the figure is 50,500 days, worth more than £15 m.

In addition, MyDonate – BT’s commission-free online fund-raising service – has helped to raise more than £1m for charities across Wales.

Alwen Williams added: “It’s evident BT people throughout Wales really want to make a positive contribution to the communities in which they live and work. Every day BT employees help millions of people to communicate, do business, be entertained and stay informed.”

UK-wide, BT’s total GVA contribution is assessed at £18 billion. The company supports 217,000 jobs directly and indirectly and last year spent £6.5 billion with UK-based suppliers. As a result of the full economic impact of BT, the firm supports £1 in every £80 of GVA in the UK economy and one in every 110 UK employees.

Business

Secretary of State, Jo Stevens MP confirms Pembrokeshire’s role in green energy pilot

Published

11 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WALES, Jo Stevens MP, was in Pembrokeshire today to confirm that the county will be part of a pilot project for green energy. Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald, she said: “I welcome the skills pilot in Pembrokeshire, calling it a crucial step in securing a workforce for clean energy expansion in the Celtic Sea.” Economy Secretary Rebecca Evans added: “This initiative, led by the Welsh Government, will unlock vast opportunities for green jobs and energy security.”

***Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stephens MP, speaking to The Herald at Ledwood Mechanical Engineering Ltd in Pembroke Dock (Image: Herald)***

Thousands of workers will benefit from government-backed training as part of a major skills investment to prepare the UK for a clean energy future by 2030. Key regions, including Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire, and Pembrokeshire, have been identified for growth in offshore wind, nuclear, and solar industries under the government’s Plan for Change.

The initiative will provide funding for local training centres, courses, and career advisors, equipping workers with skills in welding, electrical engineering, and construction. The government has also launched a long-awaited ‘skills passport’ to help oil and gas workers transition into renewable energy jobs, particularly offshore wind. Developed in collaboration with industry and the Scottish Government, the online tool will guide workers into roles such as construction and maintenance.

Funding to drive economic transformation

The government has allocated initial funding to Cheshire West and Chester, North and North East Lincolnshire, and Pembrokeshire, with around £1 million earmarked for each area. Aberdeen, which has already completed extensive skills mapping, will be considered for further funding later this year.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Our Plan for Change is about more than clean power; it’s about reindustrialising Britain with well-paid, union jobs in industrial communities. We are ensuring that British workers seize the opportunities clean power brings.”

Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin highlighted Scotland’s commitment, stating: “It is vital that we support oil and gas workers in transitioning to sustainable jobs. The Energy Skills Passport ensures their expertise is recognised and applied in our fair and managed transition to net zero.”

Building a skilled workforce

***Thousands of apprentices will be needed the Government says (Image RWE)***

Research by Offshore Energies UK shows that 90% of oil and gas workers possess skills relevant to the clean energy transition. From January 22, workers can use the skills passport to access four career pathways, with further expansion planned over the next year.

The government has also confirmed contracts for the UK’s first carbon capture project in Teesside, reinforcing its commitment to transforming industrial heartlands. Employers will receive a handbook outlining available support for workforce growth and upskilling.

Industry and government backing

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens welcomed the skills pilot in Pembrokeshire, calling it a crucial step in securing a workforce for clean energy expansion in the Celtic Sea. Economy Secretary Rebecca Evans added: “This initiative, led by the Welsh Government, will unlock vast opportunities for green jobs and energy security.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council leader Cllr Louise Gittins said the initiative would play a “crucial role” in transitioning workers to clean energy sectors. Midlands Net Zero Hub head Jack Hayhoe stressed that strategic skills investment could unlock £15 billion of economic growth in the next five years.

A roadmap to net zero

The Energy Secretary is convening a roundtable with industry, education, and trade union leaders to ensure the UK workforce is prepared for the clean energy transition. The regional skills funding comes from the Office for Clean Energy Skills Fund, with key partnerships supporting skills mapping and training development.

The Plan for Change aims to unlock £40 billion of annual investment, securing thousands of jobs and positioning Britain as a global leader in clean energy.

Business

UK Government Invests in Gigabit Broadband for South West Wales

Published

1 day ago

January 29, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE UK GOVERNMENT has announced a further investment in Project Gigabit, aiming to deliver high-speed broadband to hard-to-reach areas across Britain. Rural towns and villages in South West Wales are among the latest to benefit, as part of a wider effort to achieve near-total gigabit coverage by 2030.

The programme, a key pillar of the Government’s Plan for Change, is designed to stimulate economic growth and remove barriers to opportunity. The latest rollout will bring some of the fastest broadband speeds available to remote communities, enhancing access to essential services such as healthcare, remote education, and video communication. It is also expected to support business growth and improve job opportunities for young people.

Welsh leaders welcome investment

Cllr Hazel Evans, of Carmarthenshire County Council, welcomed the announcement, saying: “This is a much-needed boost as we strive to improve digital connectivity across Carmarthenshire. Further investment will help ensure our rural communities continue to prosper as we transition towards a more digital society.”

Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council and Chair of the Swansea Bay City Deal’s joint committee, also praised the initiative:

“This is fantastic news for the rural communities in our region. The Swansea Bay City Deal fully supports initiatives that improve the lives of people and businesses. This investment in digital infrastructure will create social and economic opportunities for communities that would otherwise be left behind.”

£289 million boost for broadband expansion

The announcement forms part of four new contracts worth over £289 million, aimed at delivering gigabit-capable broadband to approximately 131,000 homes and businesses across England and Wales.

Unlike traditional copper-based networks, gigabit connections provide faster and more reliable service, even during peak times. Households and businesses will no longer need to compete for bandwidth, as these high-speed networks allow multiple devices to operate seamlessly.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens highlighted the significance of the investment: “Powered by this UK Government funding, thousands more people and businesses across Wales will gain access to ultra-fast broadband. Our priority is to drive sustained economic growth, and to achieve this, we must ensure every part of Wales has full digital coverage as quickly as possible.”

Implementation and next steps

The Digital Infrastructure Programme is working closely with Building Digital UK (BDUK) and Openreach to deliver Project Gigabit. Further regional updates are expected in the coming months, outlining timeframes and specific locations set to benefit.

Upgrading and expanding existing networks is a complex process, requiring technical surveys and coordination between commercial providers and local authorities, including planning and highways departments. As a result, implementing gigabit-capable broadband can take time.

For further details about broadband plans in your area, residents are encouraged to contact their Digital Champion for more information.

Business

Welsh Govt-backed SME exports surpass £320m since Export Action Plan launch

Published

2 days ago

January 29, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SMALL and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Wales have secured over £320 million in export deals directly supported by the Welsh Government since the introduction of its Export Action Plan in December 2020.

The government’s tailored export assistance includes comprehensive market research, strategies to identify new customers, and hands-on support to help businesses enter international markets and forge lasting partnerships.

This milestone follows a series of successful 2024 trade missions, which introduced 150+ Welsh businesses to key global markets. Highlights included enabling life sciences firms to exhibit at Medica in Düsseldorf and supporting fintech companies at Money 20/20 in Amsterdam.

Case Study: Brainbox Ltd
Cardiff-based Brainbox Ltd, a leader in non-invasive brain stimulation and imaging technology for neuroscience research, has achieved £5 million in new international contracts with Welsh Government backing.

Dan Phillips, Commercial Director at Brainbox, said: “Exporting has been pivotal to our growth, enabling us to showcase cutting-edge neuroscience solutions worldwide. The Welsh Government’s support has been instrumental in launching new products, building global relationships, and driving our expansion over the past five years. Their tailored approach exemplifies how strategic trade guidance can propel businesses onto the international stage.”

2025: A Year of Global Ambitions
The Welsh Government has announced seven international trade missions scheduled by March 2025, including:

Arab Health Expo in Dubai (January 2025)
Trade delegations to Singapore and Malaysia (February)
Participation in Gulfood Dubai, Foodex Tokyo, and the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco (March).

Additionally, the Explore Export Wales 2025 conferences in March will unite Wales’ “export ecosystem” of support services under one roof, offering SMEs expert advice on navigating global markets.

Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy, and Planning, commented: “Exporting empowers SMEs to scale up, create jobs, and bolster resilience in a competitive global economy. Despite recent challenges, our Export Action Plan has delivered undeniable value to Wales. We remain committed to ensuring businesses across the nation continue to thrive internationally in 2025 and beyond.”