Business

Businesses’ Brexit fears dismissed

Published

8 years ago

July 5, 2018

Airbus: Warned of risk of capital flight

THE RECENT conduct of Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has led to fears that the future of the UK’s business relationships with Europe are of secondary interest to senior government ministers.

A strongly-worded statement from the CBI, warning policy makers to ‘focus on business priorities and put evidence above political ideology’ was greeted with Mr Johnson remarking ‘f**k business’.

Those remarks were preceded by the Foreign Secretary being recorded saying that the border with Ireland was a minor issue of little consequence in the context of Brexit.

The CBI subsequently suggested that it will ensure negotiators on both sides ‘are well equipped with the unequivocal economic facts’.

Whether the facts fit the Foreign Secretary’s preconceptions of what Brexit might mean for the UK’s businesses is open to question.

AIRBUS RAISES STAKES

A similar gap between reality and ideology was exposed by the warning from Airbus that – in order to continue to comply with the European regulatory framework – it might have to move its base of operations from Broughton in Clwyd, where it supports 6,500 directly employed jobs and businesses and the economy over a much wider area.

In the absence of a Brexit agreement, UK aerospace companies will not be covered by existing approvals. More than 10,000 original aircraft parts originate in the UK, the manufacture of which is covered by tight regulations requiring certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency. Should a single parts supplier not be certified, its parts cannot be installed and aircraft will not be delivered.

If a supply chain agreement is not reached with the EU, the consequences for the aviation industry selling into the EU trading bloc will be a disaster for the UK.

BUSINESSES TOLD TO BUTT OUT

However, the unwelcome intervention of facts in the Brexit narrative roused Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to tell the BBC’s Andrew Marr that talking about job losses risked undermining the government in its negotiations with the EU.

“It was completely inappropriate for businesses to be making these kinds of threats, for one simple reason. We are in a critical moment in the Brexit discussions. We need to get behind Theresa May to deliver the best possible Brexit, a clean Brexit.”

Mr Hunt’s comments were supported by leading Brexit enthusiast Liam Fox, the Secretary of State for International Trade, who also suggested that businesses warning the government based on their own detailed knowledge of the regulatory regimes under which they work were somehow placing the UK Government’s negotiating position – which is as yet both unknown and possibly undetermined – at risk.

The key economic issue for businesses is ensuring the sort of continuity in trading arrangements which secures jobs and encourages investment. Large businesses need a significant amount of time to make decisions on the allocation of resources, particularly in the face of unpredictable trade policy by twitter approach of the US Government. Short of certainty, and faced with a capricious transatlantic trading partner which scraps trade agreements and treaties at short or no notice, businesses are understandably twitchy about their inability to plan and the absence of meaningful interaction with them by the UK Government’s crack Brexit team.

In a carefully-phrased statement to MPs, Business Secretary Greg Clark told MPs: “Any company and any industry that supports the livelihoods of so many working people in this country is entitled to be listened to with respect.

“The government has been clear that we are determined to secure a deal with the EU that meets the needs of our aerospace firms and the thousands of people whose livelihoods depend on them.”

IRISH TRADE KEY FOR WEST WALES

Meanwhile, businesses have struck back at the apparent indifference of the UK Government’s key Brexit ministers to the interests of businesses which stand to be affected directly should the UK reach no regulatory deal – or a poor regulatory deal – with the EU.

Business groups the CBI, Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Business, the Employers’ Federation, and the Institute of Directors are placing pressure on the government to reach agreement on trade, customs, and immigration.

Pembrokeshire’s MPs, Simon Hart in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire and Stephen Crabb in Preseli Pembrokeshire, are in an intriguing position over the issue of Irish trade.

With major ferry ports in Pembroke Dock and Fishguard, both Conservatives have a dog in the race to ensure that trade with the Republic of Ireland is at least maintained at current levels.

100,000 lorries were carried to Ireland via ports in Pembrokeshire in 2015. Any disruption of that trade, by the introduction of customs and immigration checks for example, would significantly reduce the attractiveness of west Wales’ ports to businesses trading with Ireland. That is not, however, a one way street. The Irish Government is also keen to maintain access to the UK as an access point to mainland Europe.

While the ports are not in themselves major employers, the ‘ripple effect’ of any loss or reduction in through traffic and any subsequent job losses could be significant. And concerns have been magnified by Stena’s decision to scrap a significant investment plan in Fishguard.

When we asked to respond to the Foreign Secretary’s views on the Irish Border issue and the importance of trade with Ireland to Pembrokeshire, Simon Hart said: “I have spoken (very informally) to [Boris Johnson] to make that point, which he says he recognises. The border issue might be minor in the overall context of Brexit but it is nonetheless very important.”

Stephen Crabb told us: “I have said right from the start that the issues over trade between the UK and Ireland, including the question of the Northern Ireland border, are some of the most complex and important of the Brexit negotiations.

“For us in Pembrokeshire it is important because of our trade links with Rosslare and I have raised this matter with Ministers in Ireland, the Cabinet in Westminster. The commitment that the Prime Minister has given that there will be no additional trade barriers for East-West trade between the UK and Ireland is crucial and reflects the points that I and others have been putting to her.”

Business

Milford Haven Chinese restaurant redevelopment plans on hold

Published

7 hours ago

January 15, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS to convert a vandalised former Pembrokeshire town centre Chinese restaurant to a flat and bedsits which were expected to be approved have been put on hold after concerns about the impact on a neighbouring property.

In an application recommended for approval, the January 13 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Mr S Sahin and Miss S Ahmed, through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, seek permission for a change of use of Grade-II-listed 20 Hamilton Terrace, Milford Haven from the former Mandarin Restaurant to one flat and eight bedsits, an amendment of an original scheme which included one extra bedsit.

The scheme, in the town’s conservation area, was before committee rather than delegated to officers as it was recommended for approval despite being contrary to a policy of the development plan.

The application for the Mandarin follows a withdrawn scheme for three flats deemed invalid by council planners.

A supporting statement said: “The property has historically been in use as a Chinese restaurant on the ground floor with two flats on the upper floors of the building. The ground floor use of the building ceased some 10 years ago and currently lies vacant. Due to the lack of use of the building, it is in a very poor condition and has been the subject of unfortunate vandalism particularly to the interior of the building.”

It says that, after the previous scheme was withdrawn, the applicants have “since reviewed their position and now present revised applications to be considered by the council”.

It went on to say: “The clients have re-thought on what type of accommodation is needed and required in this part of Milford Haven,” adding: “The proposal is considered to put an important Grade-II-Listed Building back into beneficial use and would help to secure its long-term future. The proposal would represent a high-quality and sympathetic conversion and extension of the building, and which would make a positive contribution to the locality and conservation area status.”

An officer report recommending approval said one letter of objection was received raising concerns including potential impact on a neighbouring property and boundaries, and the discharge of the sewer under number 20.

At the meeting, member of the public Jessica Clarke raised concerns about the potential impact on her mother’s neighbouring property, with issues of height and massing, surface water discharge, and shared boundary walls, asking for a site visit before any decision was made.

Cllr Brian Hall, who moved a site visit, was one of several members who raised their concerns about potential impacts, members unanimously backing that move.

The application will return to a future planning meeting.

Business

New rateable values could hit local firms – Kurtz calls for urgent checks

Published

1 day ago

January 14, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

LOCAL businesses are being urged to check their new rateable values immediately to understand whether recent changes could increase their business rates bills.

Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz has warned that many firms may be unaware of how the updated valuations could impact them financially and is encouraging business owners to act quickly.

“Business rates are already a major burden for many local businesses,” Kurtz said. “With new rateable values now in place, it’s vital that businesses check their valuation as soon as possible to see whether it will affect what they pay. Too many businesses only realise there’s an issue when the bill arrives. Businesses can visit the VOA website and search their property by postcode or address.”

Rateable values are used to calculate business rates and are based on factors such as rental values and property use. Changes to these valuations can result in higher bills, even where a business has not expanded or increased turnover.

Kurtz stressed that early action is key, particularly for small and independent businesses operating on tight margins.

“Checking your rateable value early gives you time to understand the changes, seek advice, and challenge the valuation if it appears incorrect. Waiting could mean missed opportunities to reduce costs or appeal.”

Businesses are also being encouraged to attend the local information event online to better understand reliefs, exemptions, and the appeals process.

“At a time when costs are rising across the board, businesses need clarity and support, not surprises. I would urge every business owner to take a few minutes to check their rateable value and make sure it’s right.”

Samuel Kurtz MS has also written to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Mark Drakeford MS, calling on the Welsh Government to follow the UK Labour Government’s apparent change of direction on business rates in England warning that rising rateable values are pushing Welsh businesses to the brink.

For more information on business rates and for a chance to attend the upcoming advice session with the Valuation Office Agency hosted by Kurtz and Paul Davies MS on the 26^th January, businesses are encouraged to register their interest on www.samuelkurtz.wales

Business

Milford Haven’s offshore future in focus as floating wind project wins backing

Published

1 day ago

January 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Erebus scheme off Pembrokeshire coast backed in UK auction as Irish Sea port resilience plan published

PEMBROKESHIRE’S role in the next wave of offshore energy took a step forward on Wednesday (Jan 14) after a floating wind project planned off the county’s coastline secured UK Government backing — with ministers also publishing fresh recommendations aimed at improving resilience across Irish Sea ports.

RenewableUK Cymru said Blue Gem Wind’s Erebus floating offshore wind test and demonstration project in the Celtic Sea, off the Pembrokeshire coast, was among the successful schemes in the latest UK offshore wind auction.

The project is being positioned as an early proving ground for floating wind in the Celtic Sea — technology seen as key to unlocking larger developments later in the 2030s — and is expected to help build confidence, reduce costs and develop the skills and supply chains needed for bigger projects to follow.

For Pembrokeshire, the significance is not only the turbines offshore, but what comes with them onshore: ports, fabrication, logistics, marine services and long-term maintenance work.

Milford Haven, already one of Wales’s most strategically important ports and energy hubs, is expected to be central to any future Celtic Sea build-out — both in terms of supply-chain opportunities and the infrastructure needed to support new offshore industries.

RenewableUK Cymru said Wales secured two offshore wind successes in the auction, including Erebus in the south-west and RWE’s Awel y Môr off North Wales, representing around £2.6bn of investment opportunity and enough clean electricity to power almost one million homes. The projects are expected to be delivered around 2030–31.

On the same day, the Welsh and Irish governments published recommendations from the Irish Sea Resilience Taskforce, set up after the temporary closure of Holyhead Port in December 2024 caused major disruption.

Although Holyhead is in North Wales, the Taskforce’s work is being seen across the sector as a reminder that Welsh ports are critical national infrastructure — and that resilience, contingency planning and clear communication matter when services are disrupted.

The recommendations include steps aimed at improving contingency plans to protect passenger connectivity and manage disruption better, as well as a commitment to an annual bilateral meeting between Irish and Welsh transport officials.

Ireland’s Minister of State with responsibility for international and road transport, logistics, rail and ports, Seán Canney, said the Taskforce had strengthened relationships between departments and would continue through annual meetings and regular communication.

Wales’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said discussions had reinforced the importance of Irish Sea-facing ports to communities in Wales and Ireland, and the shared responsibility to ensure they “thrive and grow”.

Taken together, the announcements point to a clear theme for Pembrokeshire: Wales’s ports are being asked to do more — supporting new industries such as floating offshore wind, while also strengthening resilience and response planning for the disruptions that can hit major sea links.

For Milford Haven and the wider Haven Waterway, the question now is how quickly local infrastructure, contractors and training pathways can align with the emerging offshore wind opportunity — so that as projects scale up in the Celtic Sea, more of the jobs and investment are anchored in Pembrokeshire.

Later on Wednesday First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, said: “I’m delighted that two Welsh offshore wind projects have secured contracts in the latest UK auction. This demonstrates how Wales is well placed to build on its existing capacity for renewable energy, to reap the benefits of these new projects bringing many high-quality jobs and wider economic benefits to our economy.

“The floating offshore project off the coast of Pembrokeshire will help kickstart the new floating offshore wind industry for Wales and, together with extending the fixed offshore wind generation in north Wales, will utilise the latest technology and help to reduce bills and boost our energy security.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: “We will work with these companies to ensure our ports are used, and that our supply chains are in a position to support this industry. We know we have the ability to deliver on the skills already – our offer is recognised as globally competitive, and we will continue to build on this.”

“Wales is in a fantastic position to support the new floating wind industry and the additional fixed offshore wind projects.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: “Today’s announcement is huge news for Pembrokeshire and North Wales. It is a massive a vote of confidence in Wales’ clean energy industry which is already delivering the well-paid, highly-skilled jobs of the future with the potential to bring thousands more.

“The UK Government is working with investors to develop home-grown clean power which will secure our energy supply and bring down bills for good. These new projects in the seas off Wales will help us achieve those goals.”