Business

BT boosts Welsh economy ‘by £575m’

Published

10 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

Cardigan Bay Properties marks five years of growth

Published

39 minutes ago

February 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Award-winning estate agency founded during Covid expands with new office and national recognition

A WEST WALES estate agency launched at the height of the Covid pandemic is celebrating five years in business after building a strong reputation across the region.

Cardigan Bay Properties was founded in February 2021 by Helen Worrall, from Glynarthen, and Tania Dutnell, from Betws Ifan, with the aim of offering what they describe as a more personal, customer-focused approach to buying and selling homes.

Based at Aberporth Technology Park near Aberporth and serving the wider Cardigan area and beyond, the firm says it has grown steadily, moving into larger premises, expanding its team and collecting a string of industry awards.

Among its recent accolades are Residential Estate Agency of the Year at the 2025 Welsh Estate Agency Awards and a Client Service Excellence Award at the SME UK Enterprise Awards.

The founders say their success has been built on transparency and customer service.

***Cardigan Bay Properties opened a new office in the summer of 2025 (Pic: Supplied)***

Tania Dutnell said: “We started the business because we felt buyers and sellers deserved a better, more personal experience. Five years on, we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved and the trust our clients place in us.”

The company reports almost entirely five-star online reviews and says word-of-mouth recommendations have helped drive much of its growth.

Helen Worrall added: “We’re grateful to our families, our team and our clients for supporting us. Moving into our new office and seeing the business develop has been a real milestone, but we still have plenty of plans for the future.”

***Team photo: Staff at Cardigan Bay Properties, which is celebrating five years in business (Pic: supplied)***

Alongside residential and commercial sales, the agency offers accompanied viewings, video tours, digital marketing tools and online portals for sellers to track viewings and offers.

The business also supports local causes and is backing the West Wales Domestic Abuse Service during 2025 and 2026.

For appointments or enquiries, the team can be contacted on 01239 562 500 or via their website.

Business

Davies and Kurtz to host business advice surgery after strong demand from firms

Published

55 minutes ago

February 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A JOINT business advice surgery will take place later this month after more than one hundred and fifty local firms signed up to an online forum highlighting growing concerns over business rates and rising costs.

The event has been organised by Samuel Kurtz and Paul Davies, who say they were inundated with requests for further help following their recent virtual session on the business rates system.

More than one hundred and fifty businesses from across Pembrokeshire and west Wales registered for the online forum, raising questions about the Valuation Office Agency revaluation process, how rateable values are calculated and what elements can be challenged.

Both Members of the Senedd said the scale of engagement showed a clear appetite for practical, one-to-one advice.

The in-person surgery, scheduled for February 17, will give business owners the chance to discuss their individual circumstances confidentially and seek tailored guidance directly from their elected representatives.

Samuel Kurtz said the response to the forum demonstrated the pressure many firms are under.

“The response showed just how strong the demand is for clear advice and constructive engagement,” he said. “With more than one hundred and fifty registrations, it was evident that many businesses want the opportunity to explore their own situations in greater depth, and that is exactly what this advice surgery is designed to provide.

***“The scale of engagement” showed “a clear appetite for practical, one-to-one advice”, Davies and Kurtz told The Herald***

“Businesses in west Wales are at a cliff edge. Employers tell us the current business rates system is placing real strain on high streets at a time when they are already facing rising staffing, energy and supply costs. Policy should encourage investment and growth, not penalise it.”

Paul Davies added that the session would help them build a stronger case with ministers.

“We want to do everything we can to support businesses in Pembrokeshire and this surgery is a valuable opportunity to listen to their specific concerns and make representations on their behalf,” he said.

“Firms are telling us they feel like they are walking a tightrope. Whether it is rates increases, higher overheads or workforce challenges, the strain is clear. Taking real-world evidence directly to the Welsh Government is the best way to push for change.”

Businesses interested in attending are encouraged to contact the pair’s constituency offices to book an appointment.

Cover image

Offering support: Paul Davies MS and Samuel Kurtz MS (Pic: Supplied)

Business

Minimum alcohol price to rise by 30 per cent as retailers warn of border impact

Published

2 hours ago

February 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Shopkeepers say hike may push trade into England while ministers insist policy will save lives

INDEPENDENT retailers have reacted cautiously after the Welsh Government confirmed a 30 per cent increase to the minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol in Wales.

From October 2026, the price will rise from 50p to 65p per unit, meaning some of the cheapest drinks will see noticeable increases. A can of beer currently sold for £1 will cost at least £1.30 under the new rules.

The change brings Wales into line with Scotland, where a similar pricing structure already applies.

The Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed), which represents many small convenience stores and off-licences, said it does not oppose the move in principle but warned it could hurt businesses near the border.

Clive Birkby, the Fed’s Wales president, said: “The Fed has raised no objection to this change which mirrors that in Scotland. In the past, supermarkets have sold alcohol as super cheap loss-leading products – something which is damaging to small shops and also to those advocating responsible consumption.

“We have highlighted concerns, though, for how this policy will impact our members who are close to the border with England, given that England does not have MUP. We will continue to monitor the impact of this policy change and what it might do to reduce problem drinking and the health and social impact of that.”

He added that both the Welsh Government and Westminster should invest more in public education about responsible drinking.

Minimum pricing was first introduced in Wales in 2020. Last year the Fed responded to a government consultation on the proposed increase, calling for clearer guidance for retailers and better communication ahead of any changes.

Announcing the rise, mental health and wellbeing minister Sarah Murphy said the evidence showed minimum pricing reduced alcohol-related harm.

“Cheap, high-strength alcohol disproportionately affects hazardous and harmful drinkers,” she said. “The evidence is clear – minimum unit pricing works. We have taken a decision which will save lives and help protect many people from the harms caused by drinking too much alcohol.”

However, Welsh Conservatives criticised the policy, arguing it will simply increase costs for shoppers during a continuing cost-of-living squeeze.

The new pricing rules will come into force across Wales in October next year.